Pitney Bowes launches online mail preparation service
Pitney Bowes has launched a new online service allowing US businesses to apply postage and shipping labels to letters or packages using any PC with an internet connection. The pbSmartPostage service comes as part of an increasing trend towards “cloud computing” in mailing software, allowing businesses with smaller volume shipping needs – and in remote locations – to prepare mail without requiring installation of software on individual computers.
The system means individual offices and occasional mailers or shippers can also gain access to shipping discounts of up to 10% from the US Postal Service’s Priority Mail and Express Mail services, Pitney Bowes said.
It also means avoiding delays from incorrect postage, the company said, saving money by avoiding overpaying for postage, and allows access to address verification to avoid delivery problems.
Pitney Bowes said mailers would also be able to track and trace items online, receiving email updates on their shipments, and use the USPS Delivery Confirmation option with Priority Mail.
Along with postage and labeling, mailers can use Pitney Bowes Total Postage Management analytics to track and control their postage spend, the company said.
The subscription-based service is available for $14.99 per month, or $16.99 per month including a free package weighing scale that links in with the system.
Pitney Bowes said its pbSmartPostage offering would be the first in a series of “on demand” products expected to be launched in the coming months, designed to help businesses communicate with their customers “in an increasingly mobile world”.
The company also said its new service was about simplifying the package shipping process as the postage market “expands to nearly 600,000 customers”.
Patrick Brand, President of Pitney Bowes North America Mailing, said: “In today’s increasingly agile and mobile world, our customers need to be able to communicate with their customers through a variety of channels using solutions that are available anywhere, anytime and on demand.”
