E-BIZ & THE USPS:

A Postal Perspective

E-BIZ AT THE USPS MEANS GETTING A "PIP" OF A SOLUTION

The following is a perspective by postal commentator Gene Del Polito for Direct magazine. The views expressed are the author's. The AMMA Bulletin recognizes its responsibility to publish alternative views from responsible spokespersons.

You're hearing a lot from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on "e-commerce" these days--and if it isn't "e-commerce," it's "e-business." But what does this mean? Does it mean that the USPS is about to make a big push to get into the internet service provider (ISP) market? Does it mean the USPS wants to expand its monopoly control over all e-commerce transactions? Or, does it mean the USPS is about to do any of a myriad other nefarious things that some of its adversaries, or like-minded e-biz anarchists, would like to contend?

I can't pretend to know what's in the mind of postal executives when they make e-commerce noises, but I'm sure that by now the Postal Service has had its wings clipped with sufficient frequency to sour the taste in PMG Bill Henderson's mouth for doing "wild and crazy" things in the electronic arena. Even before he took over as Postmaster General, Henderson espoused the view that the Postal Service's place in the e-commerce scene was typified best when the USPS used electronic technology to improve the value and utility of its core business services. His appointment, now over a year ago, of Norman Lorentz as his information technology chieftain is clear evidence of that.

Now that the Postal Service has most of its Y2K issues resolved, it now can begin to address the number one electronic information technology issue that's before it. I'm referring to the creation of a comprehensive information technology platform--or, as postal-techies have come to call it, the "postal information platform" or PIP. Just recently, the USPS sponsored an information technology summit with a diverse group of its customers to engage them in what will be a continuing dialogue to find the exact kinds of information technology needs the Postal Service must address to survive the rough and tumble of the 21st century.

Two things are clear. First, the USPS has to pull out all of the stops to develop the kind of information infrastructure that will give it a comprehensive information tool to improve the management of all aspects of the postal business. The USPS, and its customers, need (and deserve) as much information they can get on where the mail is in the processing and delivery stream, where problems exist that need extraordinary intervention, and how the system's functioning may impact on the management of not only the USPS' day-to-day operations, but also those of its customers.

Second, the Postal Service must learn to use electronic technology to improve the value and utility of its core business services to ensure that mail has an enduring value to American businesses. It's increasing investment in barcoding technology (including the information based indicia) should provide ready vehicles to render service improvements and enhancements.