Japan post Annual Report – 2007
Japan post Annual Report – 2007
Read MoreTag: Worldwide
USPS raises rates in effort to keep up with rising costs
The US Postal Service has announced several rate increases for its market-dominant products, which include First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, package services and special services. The increases are expected to take effect on May 12.
The USPS plans to increase prices for these products on an annual basis each May, according David Partenheimer, a USPS spokesman. “Smaller, predictable price changes will allow our business customers to better plan and budget for their mailings,” he said.
This will avoid the problems caused by the old pricing system, where several years went by without a price change and then some mailers were hit with a big increase.
According to the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, the average price increase per class can not exceed the Consumer Price Index. However, prices can vary within a class. As of January 16, the price cap for market-dominant products is 2.9 pct, according to the Postal Regulatory Commission. Overall, First-Class mail will increase by 2.889 pct, Standard Mail by 2.875 pct, Periodicals by 2.710pct, package services by 2.876 pct nd special services by 2.848 pct .
In the Standard Mail category, par¬cels and non-flat machinables will see the largest percentage cost increase at 9.66 pct. Standard Mail letters will increase by 3.39 pct; flats by 0.86 pct; high density and saturation letters by 1.66 pct ; high density and saturation flats and parcels by 2.09 pct and carrier route letters, flats and parcels by 2.99 pct .
FedEx enables shipping inside Microsoft Office Outlook
FedEx Corp. will now provide users of Microsoft Office Outlook, the ability to connect directly to FedEx shipping services. FedEx made its announcement during the keynote event at the 2008 Microsoft Office System Developer Conference.
The application, FedEx QuickShip, is an add-in that utilizes web services to provide fast and easy access to FedEx shipping functions.
With the FedEx add-in installed, Microsoft Office Outlook users will be able to generate labels, track packages, check rates, schedule pickups and find FedEx drop-off locations while still inside their Outlook 2003 or 2007 e-mail application.
To initiate the shipping experience, users simply right-click on an existing contact and choose ship from the menu. Shipments are then stored in a task view allowing users to conveniently recall and sort previous shipments.
This announcement serves as a continuation of the FedEx Web services platform. This platform delivers e-commerce solutions to software developers who need to build shipping and logistics services directly into their own or customers infrastructure.
In late 2007, FedEx introduced the FedEx Developer Resource Center (DRC) to help developers integrate applications with FedEx technologies through FedEx Web services. The FedEx DRC provides developers online interactive documentation, downloads, technical FAQs, testing resources and processes to customers.
Read MoreDHL awarded Sun deal
DHL has been selected by Sun Microsystems to manage all of the company’s supply chain activities including after-sales logistics. Under an agreement signed between the two companies, DHL will manage the spare-and-repair logistics operations for Sun’s network infrastructure in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Egypt.
With DHL serving as the sole point of contact between Sun customers and suppliers, the network infrastructure solutions provider will be able to increase productivity, reduce cost and ensure faster spare parts turnaround.
In the UAE alone, DHL will be shipping all of Sun’s urgent deliveries in the country, with a delivery time ranging between two to four hours.
In addition, some 300 strategic parts in the two UAE-based spare parts centres will be shipped as same-day orders to over 75 premium customers, and supporting over 15 Sun engineers in the Emirates.
All parts deliveries originating from the main Sun Microsystems warehouse in Venlo, Netherlands, will be transported to the region using various DHL services, such as air freight and Express.
The DHL spare parts centres in Dubai, Muscat, Riyadh, Dhahran, Kuwait City and Abu Dhabi will make sure that these parts are delivered to Sun’s end customer, within two to four hours of placing the order.
DHL’s extensive network, warehouse facilities and services across the Middle East will allow Sun to have total control over, and visibility of, their product stock.
DHL Express product and business development manager Dirk van Doorn said that utilising DHL’s advanced technology and global expertise will help Sun to achieve and maintain an optimal supply chain for delivering important parts to its end customers.
“By outsourcing its inventory and distribution functions to DHL, Sun Microsystems will be able to focus on its core strengths, increase visibility, reduce cost and improve the overall efficiency of its supply chain in the Middle East. DHL will act as a single supplier managing all aspects of Sun’s supply chain including customs clearance,” said van Doorn.
Read MoreDHL wins global freight contract with Siemens
DHL is able to use both its Express and Global Forwarding services to launch the Drop Shipment Program for Siemens.
DHL Global Forwarding has been selected as preferred international carrier for Siemens’ air and ocean freight and Customs Brokerage business in the U.S. The global contract awarded to DHL will support Siemens in improving service levels, reducing costs and streamlining their overall supply chain.
DHL has also been re-awarded the exclusive contract for the Siemens Energy and Automation Europe to U.S. Drop Shipment Program. Siemens selected DHL as the only provider endorsed for its U.S. to Worldwide business and received the freight forwarding endorsement for all regions.
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