New Speedpost system cuts cost and enhances efficiency
24 - 04 - 2000

A redesigned computer system for the Speedpost service of the Hongkong Post provides a highly efficient service to customers at a reduced cost.

The new Speedpost Acceptance System also offers a high flexibility for meeting new business needs.

The $20 million project was implemented with the help of Information Technology Services Department (ITSD). It was designed and developed in 1999 and went on live on 1 February 2000.

The new system completely fulfils the user's requirements and gains both tangible and intangible benefits to the Hongkong Post as well as its customers.

"The new system not only saves over $1 million in the annual running cost but also provides flexibility to access all major applications at any one workstation in the Hongkong Post," a spokesman for the ITSD said today (April 24).

"This is a step toward integrating the various automation systems to enhance customer service as well as office efficiency."

The new system supports about 180 workstations in 63 offices and divisions within Hongkong Post territory-wide.

Speedpost service is one of the major businesses in the Hongkong Post.

The new Speedpost Acceptance System was designed and implemented mainly as a vehicle to enhance efficiency by automating various processes on Speedpost service including major functional areas such as customer maintenance, financial, management and postal marketing services.

It also caters for enhancements to the Speedpost service such as a premium option for the posting to be delivered before 9 am the following working day.

Furthermore, it streamlines the arrangement to pick up Speedpost items from customer not holding an account.

The Speedpost Acceptance System was first introduced in 1994 also with the assistance of ITSD.

Apart from automating the Speedpost acceptance process, it performs real time updating of credit balance of customers holding a Speedpost account.

This makes it possible for an account holder to post Speedpost item on credit at any post office or to call the Speedpost Collection Centre for pick up service.

Having captured the particulars of individual Speedpost items upon posting, the system automatically passes on relevant data to a mail Track-and-Trace System.

Customers may then locate their Speedpost items through an enquiry at the Hongkong Post web site or by calling a 24-hour telephone hotline.

Speedpost items posted to 39 major countries can thus be tracked to the point of delivery to the addressee overseas.

Following the implementation of the new Speedpost Acceptance System, further expansion is already in the pipeline to cater for two other premium businesses: the Standard and Premium Services of the Local CourierPost.

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