sp launches 24-hour parcel delivery kiosks, page-12

http://postandparcel.info/55238/news/it/singapore-post-launches-parcel-terminal-trial/

Singapore Post launches parcel terminal trial
Tuesday, April 16th, 2013
Singapore Post has launched its trial offering 24-hour “smart” lockers as an alternative delivery point for parcels.

The national postal operator is running a pilot offering parcel terminals in five locations, as part of its bid to tap the S$1.6bn e-commerce market in Singapore.

The parcel terminals are being called “Pick Own Parcel Station” or POPStations, with each unit offering 115 individual parcel lockers of four different dimensions to cater to different parcel sizes.

SingPost said the POPStations will give Internet shoppers an alternative delivery point if they cannot be at home to receive their parcels.

The new system will see customers receiving a parcel sent a text message or email notifying them that their parcel has arrived at a POPStation. They will then key in a PIN number or scan a QR code to open the locker that holds their parcel.

SingPost said the new platform would be an “integral” part of its Speedpost service in Singapore, and after the pilot it will be made available to all e-commerce merchants as an alternative delivery point.

Accessible

Dr Wolfgang Baier, the SingPost chief executive, said his firm would study how the public uses the machines in the pilot, to fine-tune the processes ahead of a broader roll-out.

“If customers respond well to the POPStation pilot, we plan to roll out up to 100 POPStations island-wide,” he said.

“We are looking at the possibility of placing the lockers at more locations, such as residential and office areas, around MRT stations, bus interchanges and shopping malls that are accessible 24/7 to the public.”

Baier added that there are also plans to allow customers to send parcels via the POPStations, as well as receive parcels.

The five pilot locations for the POPStation trial are Bishan Community Club, NUS Stephen Riady Centre, Sengkang Community Club, Tanglin Post Office and at the Singapore Post Centre building.

Related links
SingPost
Parcel locker terminal suppliers
Ordinarily, users will have three days to pick up their parcel from a POPStation, although this is being extended to five days for the trial.

Initial user tests in February suggested that around 80% of users retrieved their parcels within three calendar days, and more than 60% of customers collected their parcels outside normal office hours, 30% at the weekend.

Australian company TZ Limited is providing the five machines for the POPStation trial, and is expecting to provide a further 50 machines over the next year, with up to 100 machines total within the next few years.