Deutsche Post DHL enters innovations partnership with BT
Deutsche Post DHL has signed a Global Innovation Partnership agreement with telecommunications business BT.
Read MoreTag: BT
TNT looks to doorstep post deliveries
TNT says it is handling so much London mail it could make commercial sense to have its own doorstep delivery force in the capital by 2011. Such a move would be another blow to the Royal Mail.
Read MoreRoyal Mail needs consultants (UK)
Royal Mail is tendering for up to GBP 40m-worth of IT consultancy services as part of plans to improve the efficiency of its GBP 1.5bn-worth of technology outsourcing contracts.
Increased investment in IT is playing a key part in helping Royal Mail adapt to a more competitive business environment, according to a spokesman.
The business is in a period of modernisation, and part of that programme is upgrading our IT infrastructure, he said.
The scheme, which started last year, involves operational restructuring, as well as new salary and pension schemes for employees.
But the rise of email has eroded Royal Mails letters business, and rival parcel couriers are also increasingly competitive.
The tender is for an initial period of one year, with the option of three year-long extensions.
But Royal Mail already has in place a 10-year outsourcing deal with a consortium led by CSC, which includes subcontractors BT and Xansa.
In the light of these contract provisions, it is surprising that Royal Mail needs extra consultancy, according to Eric Woods, public sector practice director at analyst Ovum.
The organisation obviously needs extra IT capacity, and has been obliged to put it to tender though it is unusual to do this when the company has existing outsourcing contracts, he said.
The current crops of contracts were set up as part of a major technology overhaul between 2001 to 2004.
At the time, the company implemented SAP software for its finance and purchasing systems, and Siebel software for its customer relationship management. It also put in automation tools to improve productivity.
Read MoreUK Post Office moves into broadband market
The Post Office, part of the Royal Mail Group, is launching a new, national broadband service on Monday 29 October, specifically designed to attract late adopters of broadband services and those looking for a better, fairer and easier broadband option.
OFCOM has predicted that broadband uptake is set to rise by up to 80 per cent by 2012 . According to their research, the over-50s and cash economy represents an untapped high value market, valued by the Post Office at GBP 478 million.
Post Office Broadband provides national coverage at a universal price, avoiding now common ‘rural surcharges’ imposed by most other ISPs. Users will also have the option to pay for the service in cash at any of the 14,000 Post Offices nationwide, a payment alternative not offered by any other nationwide ISP.
The new services are primarily targeted at the ‘NETSKI’ generation of 50-65 year olds with a high disposable income who are going online for the first time – and customers wanting to pre-pay in cash.
Two high quality, fast broadband packages are available from the Post Office, offering users headline speeds of up to 8MB. Broadband Standard and Broadband Extra can also be bundled with the existing Post Office HomePhone service. Subscribers will be able to simply plug in and go while technical support from UK call centres will be on hand 24/7.
A five year deal with BT Wholesale’s network guarantees Post Office Broadband a national reach – from John O’Groats to Lands End – of over 99.6 per cent of the country, while network support, kit maintenance and back office support is also provided by BT. This infrastructure supports the Post Office’s commitment to provide its users with a reliable and fair broadband service.
Read MoreBT: Exploiting Technology to Deliver Real an Sustainable Business Benefit
BT: Exploiting Technology to Deliver Real an Sustainable Business Benefit” by Dave Berrington. Post-Expo 2007.
Read MoreMER Magazine
The Mail & Express Review (MER) Magazine is our quarterly print publication. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, MER is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.