Case Studies
Integrated postal automation software for Guernsey Post
"To select, implement and go live with a postal counter retail solution in a little over six months is testimony to the quality of the product and high-level competence of the organisation behind it. Ascent Software's knowledgeable team has been terrific in working closely with us to develop the required changes to fit our organisation. Every problem or request for change was approached with a positive 'can do' attitude."
Gordon Steele
CEO
Guernsey Post
The challenge
Guernsey Post is the postal service for the Channel Island of Guernsey. The network handles a high volume of mail per capita in comparison with other small postal organisations and its retail network offers many value-added services such as bill payment, financial services, fax and internet services. These extend its remit well beyond that of an ordinary postal organisation.
Enjoying a budget commensurate with the island's size, Guernsey Post nevertheless serves a sophisticated corporate client base alongside domestic customers. This meant a pressing need to invest in high-end technology, to help the organisation modernise, compete and perform. Budget and organisation size made a positive ROI yield essential.
The solution
Guernsey Post was aware of Swift Retail postal automation software, which looked like an affordable, robust and comprehensive solution ideally suited to their smaller postal organisation. Ascent worked with them at the outset of the project to carry out a Business Process Analysis (BPA) and to narrow down precisely what Guernsey Post's business processes were. This revealed a number of operational process and design issues, thanks to a unique, dispersed counter network and the depth of the business. There were also some very specific requirements in terms of functionality, pricing and support. The levels of customisation available in Swift Retail were easily able to cope with project requirements and we were able to deploy a customised system for Guernsey Post that closely matched complex business processes.
The benefits
The installation of Swift Retail as an integrated solution for Guernsey Post has changed both the productivity and image of the island's postal network. Modernising the organisation by using the latest technology has also had far-reaching results in motivating employees. Swift Retail now provides very high levels of automation across a wide range of different needs, from point of sale right through to stock control and integration with accounting systems. The latest touch-screen interfaces mean higher productivity and lower training overheads.
"Given the competitive environment we're working in, streamlining our processes and remaining flexible was critical to our success. Swift Retail gives us all we need to be more efficient and effective, and allows staff more time to focus on our core strengths. We believe our investment and commitment in this area will be of tremendous benefit to our customers."
Jason Baker
Head of Retail
Guernsey Post
The flexibility offered by Swift Retail combined with a careful implantation by Ascent has allowed Guernsey Post to increase its range of counter services, including new facilities such as bill payment on behalf of third-party clients. Extended facilities have also enabled Guernsey Post to develop new, value-added revenue streams in financial services, which are of vital importance to its customer base.
For head office, a major advantage of automation using Swift Retail has been the easy generation of reports. This business intelligence has provided a goldmine of information for decision-makers at Guernsey Post.
