UK Mail launches electronic postal service

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.finextra.com/fullpr.asp?id=24756

UK Mail, part of the Business Post Group, has introduced imail, an alternative to the first class postal service whereby letters can initially be submitted electronically for printing and posting from the recpient's closest sorting centre.

This new mail solution will enable users to send physical mail direct from their computer for next-day delivery to addresses across the UK, making it ideal for businesses within the banking and financial services sectors that need to reach customers in an effective and flexible manner. Not only will imail lower the cost of producing and posting first class items by up to 60 per cent, it will also reduce the carbon footprint of a letter by more than 80 per cent.

imail customers will be able to send a letter direct to anywhere in the UK with just a click of the mouse via a safe and easy-to-use software package suitable for any PC, laptop or MAC. From there, the letter will be sent electronically to the UK Mail sort centre closest to the destination where it will be printed, enveloped and sorted. In fact, users will be able to send their mail requirements as late as 6pm for nationwide delivery the next day.

imail is suitable for banks and financial services companies that operate multiple sites such as branches, call centres and regional offices that each has each has daily volumes of mail. The system has full mail merge facilities for bulk mailings and users can even upload a scanned version of their signature that can be automatically applied to documents. In addition, users will have access to a range of management information data of postage usage, enabling better control of overall mail spend.

The price of sending first class mail - when taking into consideration time, printing and material requirements - is estimated to cost as much as £1.00 per item, so imail offers significant benefits over traditional methods. The price of next-day delivery will start from 51 pence per item, which will be inclusive of all stationary, production and first class delivery.

Furthermore, by printing mail locally as close to the delivery area as possible, using a network of sort centres, imail reduces the associated transport needs of mail delivery and the miles travelled to minimise the environmental impact of a letter. imail can also reduce the need for delivery of consumable stocks to individual users and double-sided printing minimises paper usage, whilst printing bulk volumes offers efficiency savings over high quantities of small print jobs.

The service offers additional benefits to companies with multi-site or depot networks that wish to control their brand and corporate identity by better managing how each location communicates to customers, partners and suppliers. A template management system allows users to set-up and define a series of approved documents to ensure the correct use of logos and brand guidelines and achieve consistency across the business.

Commenting on the launch of imail, Guy Buswell, Chief Executive of Business Post Group commented: "With the launch of imail we have created the first alternative to first class mail, providing a real choice to customers within the UK. We have developed the solution to meet the needs of businesses in a diverse range of industry sectors, so all can achieve cost, time and green savings."

[jacee]

And then they will hold it until they have an economically viable quantity to transport to the local royal mail office where it will be delayed further by staff shortages and managers who make "operational decisions" to get out of doing a walk. It will then be delivered to wrong addresses by casuals and other delivery office workers who don't recognise the street names in unfamiliar territory and at the end of the day will not perform as well as mailsort three for the same price.
Tell you what, customers out there - why don't you come back to Royal Mail and then at least you will know who to blame?

[POSTMAN]

The price of next-day delivery will start from 51 pence per item

Sitting here waiting for the rush.

Also what's this £1.00 to send a letter crap i can get 100 envelopes for £1 from a pound shop for a start!

[dvbuk55]

The price of next-day delivery will start from 51 pence per item

Sitting here waiting for the rush.

Also what's this £1.00 to send a letter crap i can get 100 envelopes for £1 from a pound shop for a start!

They are talking about all on costs - but it would also mean less staff, which wasn't mentioned - and I can see it all now - "Well Mr Imail user we certainly got it to Royal Mail on time for next day delivery - but they have let you down - Of course we can't delivery it as well you fool do you realise how much that would cost"

[pickaname]

"This new mail solution will enable users to send physical mail direct from their computer for next-day delivery to addresses across the UK"

Not if I cut off

[janitor]

So why do all these companies think they can make this pay, when RM tried it a few years ago they scrapped it due to low take up.

[Phantom]

http://www.finextra.com/fullpr.asp?id=24756

Commenting on the launch of imail, Guy Buswell, Chief Executive of Business Post Group commented: "With the launch of imail we have created the first alternative to first class mail, providing a real choice to customers within the UK. We have developed the solution to meet the needs of businesses in a diverse range of industry sectors, so all can achieve cost, time and green savings."

So really its just the same as me printing out a letter and popping it in to envolope and sticking a first class stamp on it for half the price

Stupid idea that won't work, not for £1 anyway