Seventy per cent of Posts believe postal e-services are strategically important for the future, according to a first-of-its-kind study by the UPU that measures the development of these services.
The research also sets an important industry index against which to monitor e-services’ evolution.
The study points to a rapid growth in postal e-services. Some 55 different types of services were identified by the study and categorized in four areas: e-post, e-finance, e-commerce and e-government.
In terms of overall e-services development, the UPU index places the following countries in the top ten: Switzerland placed first, followed by Belarus, Italy, Germany, Qatar, Tunisia, France, the Republic of Korea, the United States and Canada.
E-post services, such as track and trace and online bill payments, are the most developed, especially in industrialized countries. They are followed by e-finance and e-commerce services, according to the study.
“It’s clear that, as physical mail volumes decline, Posts are not standing on the sidelines. They are being innovative and making strategic use of new technologies to diversify their products and services to meet customers’ increasingly changing needs,” says UPU Director General Edouard Dayan.
The study further suggests that postal e-services currently contribute modestly to the bottom line – an average 1.5 per cent of a Post’s global revenues. While Posts consider e-services strategically important, they could give them more attention in terms of financing, market development and organizational management.
Innovation capability
When it comes to drivers of development, a country’s innovation capability is more important than its wealth.
Several developing countries ranked well, including Belarus, Brazil, South Africa, Tunisia and Ukraine, which placed in the top 25 on the development index.
Appropriate regulation and infrastructure supporting information and communication technologies are also important factors.
Ninety-three Posts answered the UPU survey, resulting in a 49% response rate.
The study will be conducted on a regular basis.
Read the December 2011 issue of Union Postale for full details.