Tag: UK

Suffering SMEs turn to alternate mail services

Posted by | Oct 16, 2007 | |

Small businesses have been hit hard by the postal strike and are now seeking out private alternatives to Royal Mail, a British Chambers of Commerce survey has revealed.

The snap poll, conducted over the weekend, found that 88pc reported the strikes had “a significant impact” on their business, with cash flow and loss of sales particular problems.

Of those affected, 55pc said they were now more likely to use private delivery companies.

The BCC said the figure reflected the anger felt by small businesses at the impact the postal strike.

The problem for small firms is that their options are limited by the fact that the Royal Mail’s biggest competitors, such as TNT, Business Post and DHL, are at the same time customers.

Only Royal Mail does the ‘final mile’ bit of deliveries meaning small firms, like the rest of the population, are in the words of one business owner, over a barrel.

Mr Frewin says the last 25 years has seen a consistent rise in the volume of mail. Over the last 18 months that figure has declined. “Is it a blip or a sign of long-term decline? Our concern is that what started with a one-day strike and now two-day strikes, will continue. The worry is that the postal industry will be brought to its knees.”

Talk is that TNT might be just the business to give Royal Mail a run for its money when it comes to ‘final mile’ delivery, but the discussion about another provider stepping in to compete isn’t new.

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Week to clear post backlog after strike

Posted by | Oct 16, 2007 | |

The postal strikes have left 120 million letters and parcels stranded in sorting offices, with the post watchdog warning that the backlog will take until next week to clear.

The news came as it emerged that more than of half of small firms want to stop using the Royal Mail after the strikes which have cost the London economy alone more than GBP 300 million.

Sources at the Royal Mail said there were one and a half days worth of post — 120 million letters and parcels — stuck in the system after last week’s five-day strike and unofficial stoppages.

This could take “several days” to clear, the source said.

However Postwatch, the industry watchdog, estimated the backlog at 200 million letters and parcels. This would take a week to clear, it said. Andy Frewin, a spokesman, said: “We would expect things to be back to normal next Monday if they work as normal this week.”

A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce found that 55 per cent of small firms are now more likely to use private delivery companies. Natalie Evans, the head of policy, said: “This result really hammers home the damage that this dispute has done to Royal Mail.

“Small businesses rely on a decent post service and have been let down badly over the past few weeks.”

The survey of more than 250 company directors showed that almost half thought the strikes had cost their firm at least GBP 1,000 each.

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Technical Supremacy sets ByBoxes apart

Posted by | Oct 16, 2007 | |

ByBox has launched a new generation of electronic postal lockers that are not only available in a variety of sizes and configurations to meet every requirement; but also packed with technical innovation to make them extremely flexible, user-friendly and secure.

The result is a reliable, robust and readily accessible system that is proven to provide postal operators and their customers with new levels of service, and swift delivery and collection facilities that meet the changing needs of the postal market.

Equally suitable for internal and external use, each locker bank is flexible and can be easily changed by adding or removing a column of locker doors. Built with tough, environmentally resistant material and coated in vandalism resistant paint, they operate over a large temperature range and at up to 93 pct humidity. To protect customers from the elements, external locker banks can be fitted with a weatherproof canopy.

Lockers are available in several standard dimensions that handle everything from large parcels to letters, and sizes can be customised if required. They can also be supplied in a variety of colours and branded to aid customer identification.

A number of security features are factored into the locker bank design. They include sensors that detect any attempted break-ins, and software that detects tampering and sounds an alarm after several aborted attempts.

At the same time, user security data may be monitored in a number of different ways, using signature capture, web camera and biometrics techniques such as fingerprint recognition.

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Consultation Starts on Changes to Post Office Network – Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

Posted by | Oct 16, 2007 | |

Post Office Ltd today opened a six week local public consultation on its Area Plan for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. In line with the criteria and factors set by the Government in its Response document, DTI The Post Office Network, Government response to public consultation May 2007 the Area Plan proposes future provision of Post Office services through a network of 300 branches across the area, resulting in the closure of 62 existing branches.

Under the proposals, more than 99 pct of the area’s population will either see no change to their nearest branch, or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

Within the 300 branches proposed to serve Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Post Office Ltd is proposing to establish nine outreach services, which would use innovative ways to continue to provide Post Office services- particularly in smaller communities – where the existing branch is proposed for closure.

Possible types of outreach service in Hampshire and The Isle of Wight could include a mobile service visiting small communities at set times, a hosted service operated within third party premises for restricted hours each week, or a partner service within the premises of a local partner (such as a pub landlord).

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UK Post Office launches home broadband service

Posted by | Oct 16, 2007 | |

Post Office UK has added broadband internet access to its growing range of home telecommunications services.

The company’s standalone broadband service offers 8-Mbps of bandwidth for GBP 9.95 per month, including DSL modem rental. An enhanced version of the service costing GBP 15.95 per month comes with a wireless router, security suite, and parental controls.

Post Office is also offering a Premium broadband and telephony bundle, with includes basic DSL and fixed-line telephone service, with free evening and weekend calls to other landlines, for GBP 21.95 per month. Customers can add the enhanced broadband features to this package for an additional GBP 4.

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