Tag: UK

Postcomm announces new safeguards for management of address information

Posted by | Apr 17, 2007 | |

Postcomm, the UK’s independent postal services regulator, has today announced new safeguards for the future management of the postcode and address data contained in Royal Mail’s Postcode Address File (PAF).

PAF lists details of every postal address and postcode in the United Kingdom. As such, it is a very valuable asset for Royal Mail, since many other organisations – including new postal operators, banks, insurance companies and firms offering home delivery – need to use the information it contains.

The four key issues covered in today’s document – “Royal Mail’s future management of PAF” – are:

* The definition of PAF – what information should Royal Mail be obliged to supply? Postcomm considers that ‘PAF data’ is not only made up of postcode details, but also includes other information needed to allow users to identify specific addresses.

* The creation of an advisory board. Royal Mail has agreed to set up an advisory board to represent the views of PAF users, and has already started the recruitment process for the board’s independent chairman.

* Ringfencing of PAF. As competition develops in the mail market – and also with other suppliers of similar address data – it is crucial that Royal Mail ringfences PAF from its other activities, in order to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

* Profits. There is increasing demand for PAF data from a wide range of organisations, which rely very heavily on the information it provides. This puts Royal Mail in a very powerful position where setting prices is concerned. Although PAF does not fall within the ‘price control’ that Postcomm uses to set a pricing and service quality framework for Royal Mail, the company has agreed to aim for an operating profit margin in the range of 8-10%. If profits exceed this range, the excess would be either returned to customers or reinvested in PAF.

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Parceline introduces SMS messaging system for deliveries

Posted by | Apr 16, 2007 | |

A new solution has been introduced by Parceline, a UK parcels carrier, to help reduce problems with home deliveries.

Parceline said the interactive SMS messaging system is used to arrange delivery directly with the receiver of the parcel.

Parceline uses the solution to send a text to the receiver, advising them of the delivery date of the parcel, with the receiver able to select a more convenient date from three alternative dates.

Parceline, which is reportedly the only carrier to currently provide this interactive service, claimed the service provides an improved experience for the end recipient while offering a value added service for mobile phone operators.

A survey carried out by the IMRG, an industry body for global e-retailing, found that 12% of home deliveries fail at the first attempt, according to Cellular News.

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DHL goes green with fashion deliveries

Posted by | Apr 16, 2007 | |

Logistics provider DHL has commissioned the world’s largest high performance electric vehicle to handle deliveries to fashion retailers in the UK.

The first zero carbon emission truck to be used by the express distribution giant, and built almost entirely of recyclable materials, it will be used by DHL UK’s Department Stores and Fashion division.

The truck, which will be officially unveiled this month, has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 9 tonnes.

With fast acceleration, a top speed of 50mph and the ability to cover over 100 miles on a single battery charge, it is said to be ideally suited to operating the short-distance routes between DHL’s consolidation centre operations and retail outlets.

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Parceline introduces delivery date choice by SMS

Posted by | Apr 15, 2007 | |

Delivery company Parceline has introduced an interactive SMS messaging service which offers home shopping customers a choice of delivery dates for their parcels.

Problems with home deliveries could become a thing of the past, says Parceline about its innovative solution which enables the company to arrange delivery direct with the receiver of the parcel.

When talking to delivery companies in the past about such solutions, I have been told that the technology is available but it’s down to the retailers to decide whether they want to offer it. This step by Parceline shows how delivery companies can increase efficiencies (by reducing failed deliveries) and still improve service for internet retailers.

Parceline says that what makes this solution really different is that the receiver can reply and choose delivery on a day more convenient for them. Parceline is the only carrier to offer this interactivity, and is obtaining a patent for this service.

The receiver will get a text from Parceline giving the date the parcel will be delivered. If this is not convenient for him, they can choose delivery from three alternative dates. This is all done by text, although there is an option to receive notification by email, if preferred.

Is this the solution that the retail industry has been calling out for? According to the IMRG, 12% of home deliveries fail at the first attempt.

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TPN have revealed their Depot of the Year to be TWE Haulage Ltd.

Posted by | Apr 14, 2007 | |

At the 2nd Annual Awards ceremony held on 14th April at the Hinckley Island Hotel, TPN Members enjoyed a black tie dinner. This year’s awards, in addition to the five regional awards and the Depot of the Year award, were supplemented by two further categories, Input Depot of the Year and Delivery Depot of the Year. As with last year, the winners were voted for by their fellow Members.

TPN MD Adam Leonard addressed the guests before the awards, citing the previous year as ”the year that saw TPN come of age as a Network and that it was now considered to be a major force in the industry, a tremendous achievement by TPN’s Members.” He also announced that TPN had adopted the British Heart Foundation as the Network charity for 2007.

TWE Haulage covers the OX postcode for TPN, and has recently relocated to larger premises in Banbury. They have been a TPN Member for over 5 years.

The Regional Awards went to: Northern Region – McLellan’s Transport Ltd; Midlands Region – TWE Haulage Ltd; Wales and West Region – Andy Lee Transport Ltd; South East Region – L T Baldwin Transport Ltd; Eastern Region – Pallet Network Anglia.

Input Depot of the Year was awarded to Lombard Express Ltd with TSL Europe Ltd winning the Delivery Depot of the Year award.

Novice Depot of the Year award went to TPN Hub in recognition of their coverage of a local postcode at short notice.

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