SORTING CENTER INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
As the e-commerce industry continues to grow, so too does the number of parcels and packets being handled by the postal industry. New solutions are being developed to handle these increasing numbers of parcels and the different shapes and sizes they come in. However, it is also important for the delivery providers to not forget about their traditional letter mail stream. This category looks at how the industry is improving the efficiency and quality of mail and parcel handling through new solutions, such as automation, bulk handling, OCR, and sorting center management.
DIGITAL INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
A whole host of new online solutions have been launched in recent years to cope with the growing e-commerce industry. Solutions, including online carrier platforms, fulfillment services, cross border delivery and web shops, have been launched by the posts to try and gain a bigger market share of the e-commerce industry. The posts are now working closer than ever with e-retailers to ensure that the end consumer gets the delivery experience they require. Transparency is also becoming increasingly important in this area. Customers want to know costs, delivery time and delivery method at the start of the purchasing process, and posts play an important role in helping the retailers provide this information.
ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR
This category recognizes a postal organization or supplier that has invested in developing environmentally friendly solutions and initiatives that the whole industry can learn from. This can include investing in ‘green’ forms of transport, developing recycling initiatives and generally improving its sustainability.
DELIVERY INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
Customers’ expectations have changed and they now want more drop off and delivery options. They want to control when their mail is delivered and where, and they want to be kept informed at all times. They also want to choose delivery services that best suit their changing needs, whether that is same day or next day delivery, or low cost services, which may take longer. Customer service is also extremely important in this part of the industry, as this is where the post and customer come face-to-face. This category covers solutions for final mile delivery, the first mile, returns, click and collect, drop off, and new delivery models.
NEW BUSINESS DIVERSIFICATION OF THE YEAR
This category recognizes postal operators that have ventured into a new area of business to generate additional revenue streams. This covers services other than the core mail and parcel handling services. Suppliers that have supported posts in developing these new diversified services and solutions can also be recognized here. New business innovations can include banking, community outreach, telecoms, government schemes, etc.
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
One of the most respected Postal Technology International Awards, Supplier of the Year simply recognizes a company, which has had a big impact on the industry over the past year, whether its for investment in new technologies, work with the postal operators or because of impressive growth. The winner of this category will have played a major role in helping to improve the future of the postal industry.
SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Service Provider of the Year recognizes a postal organization that has had a great past year within the sector. Which post has led the way in terms of innovative technologies and services? How has it improved customer service and enhanced its’ offering to better meet the needs of its clients? And how has it strengthened its bottom line in what is considered a challenging postal market? By investing time and money into the future of the organization, the winner of this category is respected by its customers and suppliers alike.