Tag: Europe

Correos to install digital franking machines (SPA)

Posted by | May 29, 2008 | |

CORREOS is promoting a project to replace its conventional franking machines with others that use digital technology and print individualised codes in two dimensions. With this initiative the postal company takes another step towards its goal of ensuring the traceability of items posted, assigning a code that enables them to be tracked and identified throughout the postal process.
The new digital franking machines will include the quality control system implemented by CORREOS, which will mean they also offer more information, the quality and appearance of the stamping will be improved, and more added value will be provided for users. This renewal consolidates the public postal operator’s adoption of Information Technology (IT), including it in all its processes to reinforce the quality and efficiency of the postal service.
The digital franking machines are automatically recharged (making them more secure) and can include advertising messages, adding commercial possibilities for clients. The optical reading system for franking marks stamped on envelopes, labels or wrapping paper guarantees their traceability and enables exhaustive quality control. This new system improves the processes of the postal services and offers more information to customers about their items, and for the postal operator, it provides an agile response to new needs and demands.
As well as being easily recharged, the new digital franking machines offer other benefits: they automatically update the rates and new postal products, they can be used 24 hours a day (when needed, the providers’ loading centre can be contacted by Internet), they personalise advertising messages and gather more information about the whole process. All of this means savings in time and money for users.

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Glasses Direct delivers by The DX Group

Posted by | May 29, 2008 | |

Over 600 Glasses Direct customers everyday now receive their glasses via The DX Group for a true first class service, providing secure next day delivery.
This specialised service ensures peace of mind for Glasses Direct customers as DX obtains a signature on delivery, and if this isn’t possible the glasses will be posted through your letter box and a three point identification criteria of the property noted. This provides Glasses Direct with the assurance that your glasses have been delivered to the right place.
The DX Group also offers a re-delivery service free of charge to Glasses Direct customers, so if for any reason the customer is not able to receive them, they can arrange to have their glasses re-delivered the next day to an existing or new address.
Other clients of The DX Group include the Identity & Passport (IPS) Office, members of the legal industry and major credit card & financial services companies, who need a fast and efficient service that is secure & confidential.
About Glasses Direct
Glassesdirect.co.uk is the UK’s largest internet prescription glasses retailer. Prescription glasses are extremely expensive in the UK; following an eye test costing up to GBp 20 a customer can expect to pay from GBP 50 for basic spectacle models and up to GBP 400 for designer eyeglasses and/or complicated lenses.
Launched in July 2004 by young entrepreneur Jamie Murray Wells, glassesdirect.co.uk sells prescription eyewear over the internet and by mail that significantly undercut high street prices, selling a range of eyewear with basic frames and lenses starting at £15, in total. The business is operated maintaining low overheads, and the savings are passed on to the customer. Glasses Direct won ‘Natwest Small Business of the Year’ in 2005. It is estimated that Glasses Direct sells a pair of glasses every 3 minutes around the clock.

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Postcomm chief slams union greed (UK)

Posted by | May 29, 2008 | |

Postcomm Chairman Nigel Stapleton has hit back at union claims that the regulator is incompetent, arguing that the Communications Workers Union is “undeservedly” reaping all the cost savings Royal Mail has made.

Stapleton counters: “The CWU has been extremely competent in making sure that all the savings Royal Mail has made – through single daily delivery – has gone to its members and not Royal Mail’s customers.

“Second delivery was 4 per cent of Royal Mail’s volume and 20 per cent of its costs. Everyone thought that the savings would be passed on to the customer but in fact they went on higher wages, a five day week instead of six and higher pensions – the customer hasn’t got anything.”

The move follows CWU general secretary Billy Hayes’ public broadside last week that Postcomm was ‘draconian’ and ‘incompetent’ and was to blame for Royal Mail’s demise.

He also claimed Postcomm was stifling Royal Mail and creating a financial crisis for the UK’s biggest mail carrier.

But Stapleton argues that both the CWU and Royal Mail have their heads stuck in the sand, claiming that neither has reacted swiftly enough to the rise of digital marketing.

Stapleton also blames Royal Mail’s lack of new product development.
even test marketed anything since last August.

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Royal Mail set to back axed Postwatch business group (UK)

Posted by | May 29, 2008 | |

Royal Mail is understood to providing financial backing so that the Postwatch group which handles business customer complaints will not be axed when the watchdog folds later this year.

The move follows concerns that business customers would be left high and dry in the new beefed up National Consumer Council, headed by Lord Whitty.

The new-look NCC, which will see Postwatch, energywatch, and CCWater subsumed into the consumer super-body, is due to launch on October 1. It was first mooted nearly two years ago.

At the time, the DTI tried to assure the House of Commons that the merger was not a cost-cutting exercise.

But there has been no provision for the big mailing companies which used to sit on Postwatch’s Trade Association Forum (TAF), chaired by direct marketing industry stalwart Judith Donovan, who is also chair of Postwatch North.

Ironically, the TAF has been credited with winning many battles against Royal Mail.
During the consultation on pricing in proportion, Donovan claimed Postcomm had created “a dog’s dinner” by revealing it supported the scheme even before the consultation period was complete. The group eventually won a number of concessions.

Postwatch also took Royal Mail to court – and won – over GBP 40m worth of unpaid compensation owed to big brand owners. Royal Mail won an appeal but it only covered payments to customers who were in arrears.

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