Latin America: Friend or Foe to American Agribusiness
Latin America: Friend or Foe to American Agribusiness
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Ciblex: “H Proximity” service
Ciblex structured the “H Proximity” network in 2006. “H Proximity” involves 3,400 local computerized branches where packages are available by 8:00 a.m. the next day: 3000 tobacco shops, 300 PartSpeed Sites with 3,200 locked boxes, 100 PUDO2 points (network made up of Ciblex branches and partner drop-off points).
With 80 pct of the French population less than 15 minutes from a point of delivery, this network offers unique geographical coverage. It has a wide range of business hours (some branches are open on Sundays) and even 24/7 access for PartSpeed sites (locked boxes).
The computer system makes real time tracking possible with verification of the correct allocation of the correct package at the correct local branch.
In addition, secured package pick-up by the recipient is controlled by a personalized badge system.
Recipients (technicians, traveling sales representatives, medical visitors, traveling professionals, artisans, or individuals) are informed of the availability of their packages in real time by SMS. They can pick up the package at their chosen day and time, within the time limit determined by each package shipper.
The innovation lies in the proximity and accessibility of the network, but especially and above all in the feedback.
The order can be tracked online directly on the merchant’s Web site. Each month, 40,000 packages pass through the “H Proximity” network, which is now used by more than 40 Ciblex customer companies, for example Nextiraone (telephony), Fujitsu Siemens, (information technology), Diagnostica Stago (medical), etc.
Read MoreWales’s minister looks to ban junk mail
Wales’ minister is looking to ban junk mail as part of the Assembly’s commitment to green issues.
The move to boot unwanted competitions, loan offers and credit card applications off our doormats forever would rank alongside the smoking ban as another bold piece of legislation introduced here in the wake of devolution.
The Environment Agency estimates junk mail from households and businesses helps to create 4.6 million tonnes of landfill in Wales every year. In 2004 a National Audit Office report predicted Wales will run out of space for dumping rubbish by 2010.
Ms Davidson’s words echo her proposal last month to ban or enforce a levy on plastic bags in Wales. It is a reflection of the rising importance of environmental concerns among voters.
But any such move would face opposition from Royal Mail, which makes millions every year from contracts with private firms to deliver junk mail.
Responding to the Welsh Minister’s idea, a Royal Mail spokesman spelled out how vital junk mail is to its business.
“Our future depends on it competing effectively in all parts of the market and that includes unaddressed mail. The revenue from unaddressed mail helps keep Royal Mail’s stamp prices among the very lowest in Europe and we believe our customers would prefer our uniformed postmen and women to deliver this mail rather than someone else,” he said.
Figures from industry body the Direct Marketing Association claim junk mail accounts for 814,000 jobs in the UK. In 2005 alone, it generated business worth GBP 107bn.
Read MoreMarket forces raise the bar for delivery
While retail web sites work to differentiate themselves from stores with web-only features, personalized services, detailed imaging and other tactics, there always will be one thing that separates sites from their braicks-and-mortar counterparts: a reliance on delivery services to fulfill online customers’ orders.
And as shoppers have become more accustomed to online retail, their expectations of timely and reliable delivery services—across a variety of delivery options—have only increased. A comprehensive shipping policy has become a crucial part of e-retailing, experts say.
“A critical component of the online checkout process is the determination and selection of a shipping option,” says Rob Garf, vice president of retail strategies at research and advisory firm AMR Research Inc. “Retailers must offer multiple delivery methods, including overnight, ship-to-store and split shipments, and be crystal clear regarding cost and timeframe.”
For Internet retailing, the average postal rate increase comes to about 6 pct, says David Marinkovich, senior vice president of sales and marketing at DHL Global Mail. “The cost of fuel is having a big effect on retail shippers, but the Postal Service rate change that went into effect May 14 is the most dramatic postal rate change ever,” he says. “Some retail organizations that sell products like CDs, video games, books and apparel are looking at rate increases of about 54 pct.”
Read MoreEmirates Post subsidiary, EMP, launches 'Emirates Business Pages', a new business-to-business directory
Emirates Marketing & Promotions (EMP), a subsidiary of Emirates Post, has launched Emirates Business Pages (EBP), a new business-to-business directory, in association with Concept Media.
The new directory has been designed to help business players obtain information or locate partners through a quick reference to a comprehensive and updated database of businesses and industries across the UAE.
The key value addition of Emirates Business Pages is that it provides a search module by post box numbers. Since the PO Box number is the only constant element in a constantly changing business environment in the UAE, EBP has introduced this search option for more accurate results.
Free copies will be distributed from all Emirates Post outlets across the UAE, supplemented by an aggressive door-to-door distribution to all small, medium and large companies across the seven emirates. The directory will also be available on website, through tele-service, and in a CD-Rom format.
The directory will provide an updated and exhaustive database for those looking for strategic business alliances, while enabling listed businesses to gain optimum visibility.
Read MoreNew PIN code for bulk mail in Chennai
Chennai is one of the cities identified for the launch of a new system of six-digit PIN (postal index number) code, aimed at serving bulk recipients of mail.
As the new PIN codes will be customer specific, it would suffice if senders of mail or articles wrote the respective PIN code. There will be no need for writing the detailed postal address.
Under the proposed system, the first three digits will indicate the existing sorting district.
For instance, in the case of Chennai, the first three digits will remain as 600. But, the last three digits, to be assigned by the State-level or regional-level postal authorities, will be unique to each customer.
Apart from individual bulk addressees, the PIN codes are going to be earmarked for specific buildings such as Rajaji Bhavan, where a large number of offices are located. The customer PIN codes will be provided to the bulk addressees free of cost.
Sources say there is a provision for premium numbers with regard to the last three digits. But, they will be allotted by the Postal Directorate.
The rationale behind the new system is to facilitate automation and mechanization of mail processes, leading to speedy delivery. The proposed system is going to be launched in major cities and towns of the country as it has been found that almost all business mail get generated in the urban centers. Also, a majority of mail meant for delivery is also within 78 cities and towns.
At present, many bulk recipients of mail are subscribers of the post box system, under which they are required to collect their articles from the post offices. But, under the proposed system, postmen will deliver the mail at the places of the addressee.
Read MoreKeep in Touch – Quarterly Magazine of SingPost – July – September 2007
Keep in Touch – Quarterly Magazine of SingPost – July – September 2007
Archive newsletters are stored on P:LibraryPostalSingapore PostSingPost_Keep_In_Touch_quarterly_magazine
Read MoreUnion Postale 2007 no 3
Union Postale 2007 no 3
Read MorePost & Parcel Magazine
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