Using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to streamline postal and courier first mile services

09 Mar 2016

Embedded (IoT) technology can deliver a range of benefits for postal and courier services, from alerting customers of deliveries in passive mailbox applications, to improving postal service efficiency and relevancy.

Postal service operators and couriers use a network of street letter mailboxes and drop-off boxes in their work. Sometimes known as “street furniture,” these boxes accept letters, small parcels and courier envelopes. However, their downside is the need to be checked manually by the operator. Even if the box is used rarely, staff still need to check regularly to see if customer “deliveries” have occurred.

The result is a waste of time, effort, and money.

Should boxes not be checked regularly though, mail may stay in the box for an extended period of time, lowering the level of service delivery, even to the extent of questioning the relevancy of postal mail.

However, what if smart technology were installed that could alert operators both of the arrival of mail and when staff had picked it up? The data generated would allow them to plan pickup routes in advance in a Route Planning App for instance, skipping those where customer “deliveries” have not been received. This ability to detect when customer deliveries are made would allow operators to better manage, relocate and even expand networks to achieve better efficiencies, greater market share and improve service.

There are many other opportunities for postal services that would arise from having such embedded sensor technology, can you think of any you want to share with us?

Patrick Armstrong, CEO
Snaile Inc. | First & Last Mile Compartment Check & Notify Technology