Tag: Royal Mail

Indian postal department (DoP) to use RFID for logistics posts

Posted by | Feb 12, 2007 | |

If all goes well, the postal department (DoP) will be the first organisation to use the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for its express parcels and logistics posts. “We want to be the pioneer in the express industry to use the RFID technology,” John Samuel, general manager, business development and marketing directorate, said. To realise its dream, the department proposes to make huge investments in the cutting-edge technology. The department has already put forward a proposal of Rs 12,000 crore to the planning commission during the 11th Five Year Plan for its consideration. “Our aim is to provide high quality services and meet the business needs of our customers along with increasing the customer base. The department plans to allocate Rs 6,000 crore towards upgrading its technology,” Samuel added. He noted that the department plans to invest in technologies such as RFID and web-based customer response system. Leading post offices worldwide, including the US Postal Service, Royal Mail and Deutsche Post, have reformed themselves by investing in cutting edge technology. “The postal department with over 1.55 lakh post offices across India, is in the process of setting up a national data centre that would directly connect over 1,300 post offices nationwide,” a senior business development official said. “Computerisation of all the post offices will streamline the operations of the department. In addition, the department hopes to wipe out its budgetary deficit of around Rs 1,200 crore,” he added. The official said that the investment for the technological upgrade will be allocated out of the “planned fund.”

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Royal Mail offers free For Dummies® book on UK direct mail

Posted by | Feb 11, 2007 | |

The Royal Mail is offering free copies of “Direct Mail For Dummies®” which “provides the practical help and techniques you need to make mailshots work for you and your business”.

The 132-page book – it isn’t simply a PDF – includes tips and techniques for direct mail success, and is aimed at those with little or no experience of direct mail.

The title covers planning, execution and management of a successful mailshot. Appropriately for the Royal Mail, “it explains why direct mail is so successful and shows you how it can benefit your company in terms of customer relationships and your bottom line.”

While it is not directed at the charity sector, its content is likely to be just as relevant to charity staff as those at for-profit organisations.

To receive a free copy you simply need to register your contact details with the Royal Mail.

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UK Post office closure proposals update

Posted by | Feb 9, 2007 | |

Postwatch, the watchdog for postal services, urges customers to have their say on the future of the post office network by responding to the government’s consultation, due to close on 8th
March.

The government is proposing to close up to 2,500 post offices throughout the UK, establish new minimum access criteria to maintain a national network, put in place 500 ‘outreach’ services such as mobile post offices, and continue to fund the rural network to 2011. These proposed changes seek to address the network’s current difficulties, with 90 percent of rural branches failing to make a profit, revenue from government transactions falling by GBP 68 million last year, and overall financial losses for the network expected to rise from GBP 111 million to GBP 200 million this year.

Commenting on the consultation, Millie Banerjee, Chair of Postwatch, said:
“The government’s proposals signal a massive change for the post office network, and anyone who uses these services should take an interest in the consultation.

“Postwatch has been urging the government to take action to address the current problems and to put in place a sustainable way of meeting customers’ post office needs. We therefore welcome the opportunity the consultation gives to contribute our thoughts on the appropriate next steps.

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Royal Mail profits plummet 86%

Posted by | Feb 9, 2007 | |

UK postal provider Royal Mail has reported an 86% drop in first half profits following a massive increase in its pension deficit. The troubled group has said it is now hoping to close its final salary pension scheme to new employees in a bid to stem any further growth of the current GBP6.6 billion deficit.
Profits during the period between April and September 2006 dropped to GBP22 million, compared to GBP159 million during the same period a year earlier.

The pension deficit increased by GBP1 billion, as servicing costs grew from GBP280 million to GBP730 million during the last year. The postal operator currently employs around 190,000 workers, 167,000 of which pay into the pension scheme.

Chief executive Adam Crozier said the costs incurred by servicing the pension fund has led to a drop in competitiveness of the company, which means it will now be forced to raise the cost of its products and services to fund the scheme.

To ensure the problem does not worsen, Royal Mail has chosen to start a six month consultation period to decide whether to replace the current scheme for new staff.

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Growing concerns over the UK government's post office closure proposals

Posted by | Feb 8, 2007 | |

The influential Counters Advisory Group, chaired by Elizabeth Hodder of Postwatch, has today written to Postal Services Minister Jim Fitzpatrick setting out its concerns with the Government’s proposals for the closure of 2,500 post offices. The Minister attended the group’s meetings in December and January.
The group wants, among other things:
• All local factors which affect a community to be taken into account when deciding the future of individual post offices.
• The timetable for the restructuring programme to be flexible enough to secure the right outcome for customers.
• Local consultations to take place over 12 weeks and not 6 as wanted by the Government.
• Outreach solutions (like mobile post offices) to be in place before the post offices they replace close.

In support of these points, Elizabeth Hodder said:
“The Government’s proposals unnecessarily restrict the factors to be taken into account to distance and topography. The majority of the group want issues like the availability of public transport, walking distance to the nearest post office (not just as the crow flies measurements), the effect on the local economy and relevant socioeconomic factors such as age, health and deprivation to be assessed.

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