Minister's Forerword
Introduction
Credits
Acknowledgements
Anshe and An Post
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
ALLOWING POSTAL CUSTOMERS TO SERVE THEMSELVES THROUGH THE WEB
Anshe Ltd (part of the Esher Group of companies) specialises in the delivery of technology solutions to the international postal community. An Post is Ireland’s national postal service provider. An Post provides a wide range of communications, distribution, logistics and finance-related services to businesses and consumers. SDS is the business division of An Post, specialising in parcel and express distribution to over 170 countries worldwide.
Business Case for eCommerce Infrastructure Project
Logistics is an important element in the eBusiness supply chain. An Post already has the physical infrastructure in place to deliver goods purchased on the Internet. Seamless, cost-effective and user-friendly tracking systems that can be integrated with other systems are essential for companies embarking on eBusiness as a sales channel. The development costs of a customised solution would be beyond the reach of most SMEs and the absence of one would present a barrier to entry to eBusiness for the SME.
An Post’s existing infrastructure, together with the continual growth in eBusiness and resultant increase in the numbers of parcels being sent means that An Post is well-positioned to take advantage of this expansion in business. The logical next step was for An Post to commission the development of a suite of electronic shipping software to meet the eBusiness needs of Irish SMEs and to make this solution available free of charge to its customers. This simultaneously removes a barrier to market and provides SMEs with a leading-edge feature to their own eBusiness offerings.
eBusiness Solution
SDS Shipping, the eBusiness solution developed by Anshe for An Posts/SDS encompasses the key criteria of scalability, cost-effectiveness and ease-of-integration.
Scalability and Integration:
Anshe developed the SDS Shipping using – JAVA and XML. The use of XML greatly increases the effectiveness of integration with other systems.
Cost effectiveness:
SDS Shipping is made available free of charge to SDS customers. The application is web-enabled as opposed to being Internet-based, allowing the user the flexibility of working off-line and thereby minimising the telephone costs of using the system. To further reduce the cost to the customer and simplify the process associated with addressing the preparing shipping documentation, the Anshe/SDS application includes an electronic shipping infrastructure suite.
SDS Shipping’s Integrated Web Shipping Suite simplifies the SME’s entry to eBusiness by providing software that can be readily incorporated into an existing web-site. Customers visiting their sites can then select shipping options for the goods they purchase. The main features of this product will allow SMEs to:
- Automate production of shipping labels
- Eliminate delays in processing parcels by correct labelling and addressing
- Order supplies of consumables
- Notify An Post in advance of impending dispatches
- Enable their customers to track shipments
- Schedule pick-up by An Post, where possible
Who will benefit from this eCommerce Infrastructure Development?
The provision of a web enabled tracking system at no cost to the SME customer help provide the impetus to SME retailers to launch an eBusiness sales channel and to consumers to shop on-line, since they will be allowed to serve themselves throughout the transaction. Those who will particularly benefit are:
SMEs who are already web retailers
SMEs not yet selling on-line
Consumers
"The Internet Shipping application delivers a win-win situation for both the customer and SDS" says John Westman, Head of Sales & Marketing SDS, who is very enthusiastic about this latest innovation.
"Customers can download free software from the SDS web site which automatically generates the consignee shipping documentation, enables the sender to track their shipments over the web, obtain a proof of delivery signature by email, schedule shipment collections or order a supply of consumables from SDS; all from the comfort of their own desktop. The time gained can be used to concentrate on other business issues".
"SDS benefits not only from advance notice about impending shipments but also from enhanced address labeling and bar code audit trails. Consignments prepared with a consistent high quality barcode, authorises the shipment to be processed through our automated sortation system with greater speed and efficiency. Minimum manual intervention reduces handling and improves the service quality for all parties."
"The web application has many benefits. It is fast, efficient, time saving and easy to use whether you send a few or multiple shipments to local or global destinations. Designed for use by start-up to medium sized enterprises it is also scalable to be used by our high volume customers. We are very excited about the opportunities this application offers both for our customers and ourselves in the new economy"