It’s no
secret that the traditional postal business model is in decline. And while
New Zealand Post’s ability to adapt to change can be exemplified by its
170-year existence, the digital age is certainly proving to be the toughest nut to
crack yet. But rather than fight the digital, it’s working with it to create
viable business extensions and at today’s Direct Marketing
event at Eden Park, a rather chuffed head of digital solutions at New Zealand
Post, Simone Iles, offered the first glimpse into its new free digital service,
YouPost, designed to make life that much easier to manage.
While New
Zealand Post says its physical network is being improved and refined to be more
responsive and valuable to customers, it acknowledges the rapid and
irreversible shift from standard letter communication to digital messaging and
YouPost aims to target that expanding segment of the market.
“Digital
change is driving and redefining the business that we’re in,” said Iles today.
“We’re taking the postal physical distribution network that gets your stuff
from A to B, and thinking more broadly about how we can make the every day
easier.”
With the
explosion of digital leaving customers dealing with a deluge of emails, spam,
security concerns and multiple websites from which bills are paid, YouPost is a
secure online tool that takes care of important tasks, all in the one place.
This
isn’t New Zealand Post’s first online dabble. It launched its eBill service
over 10 years ago now, enabling customers to view and pay bills online. While
that service was later shut down, YouPost presents a much more versatile option
with functionality aplenty.
Twelve months
in the making, the digital service helps you sort, organise and pay your bills.
You can pay right there or plan ahead by scheduling payments. There’s also a
shared mode that can be used for shared responsibilities or flatting
situations. Beyond bills, you can use it to store digital backup of your legal
documents, warranties, manuals and any other important things you want to keep
safe. It can even remind you when things like your passport or car warrant are expiring, or
of upcoming birthdays. It’s up to the user to decide what goes in their
mailbox, and all mail can be kept for up to eight years, a function Iles says
is handy for tax purposes.
Available
on multiple devices, it is accessible by browser or using mobile apps for Android and iPhone, Iles describing the mobile apps as an “absolutely
non-negotiable must-do”.
The
website is currently in Beta testing mode and New Zealand Post says it will be
launched directly to customers of companies that have signed up as senders
before the end of this year (major
senders have already signed up, but those names won’t be revealed until the
official launch). A wider general launch has been slated for the
first quarter of 2013.
