Royal Mail Taps Zebra Technologies to Provide New Hand-Held Devices
By Zach Seymour, Close-Up Media Staff Writer
Royal Mail has chosen Zebra Technologies as the provider of its new hand-held devices, which are called Postal Digital Assistants (PDAs), following a supplier selection process led by BT.
The provision of the 76,000 next-generation TC75 devices is at the centre of a GBP130 million technology investment programme, which will be implemented over five years. The investment is part of Royal Mail's budgeted expenditure.
The PDA investment will transform operational efficiency in the processing, delivery and collection services of Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide. Rollout of the devices will begin in summer 2015.
According to a release, the new TC75 devices will:
-Improve customer service by providing sender and recipient with greater visibility on the journey of their parcels. The PDA will be used to scan all barcoded items from processing to delivery
-Deliver a better customer experience on the doorstep as a result of the larger HD screen with improved signature capture technology
-Increase operational productivity with faster scanning, extended 10-hour battery life and lightweight units.
Zebra Technologies was selected following a competitive process and laboratory testing by frontline staff and across multiple scenarios to ensure the suitability of the technology.
The supplier selection and procurement process was led by BT on behalf of Royal Mail and forms part of its managed service agreement with Royal Mail. BT will also provide on-going maintenance for the devices through its Field Force Automation service.
The new PDAs and technology is aligned with Royal Mail's investment in automated parcel sortation, which also involves scanning technology and is being rolled out at around 20 of the UK's busiest Mail Centres.
Nick Landon, Managing Director of Royal Mail Parcels, said: "This is an exciting phase in the transformation of our parcels service. The launch of our new hand-held devices will deliver immediate impact for our customers, and our postmen and women. We are pleased to be supported by Zebra and BT, as Royal Mail continues to innovate and preserve our leading position in the UK parcels market."
Emer Timmons, President, BT Global Services UK, said: "Businesses perform best when their people and technology work in harmony to achieve their goals. So we worked with Royal Mail to understand the needs of its postmen and women and used this insight to test competing devices. We found that Zebra's TC75 was an excellent match and our BT Field Force Automation team is now looking forward to rolling it out with Royal Mail nationwide."
Royal Mail is the parent company of Royal Mail Group, a provider of postal and delivery services in the UK and the UK's designated universal postal service provider.
More information:
www.zebra.com
((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))
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Alexandra Scarborough
Gilt and Sarah Jessica Parker Unveil SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Bridal Collection for SpringSarah Jessica Parker, in partnership with Gilt, kicked off the exclusive launch of SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Bridal, Gilt’s first foray into bridal ready-to-wear that would have Carrie Bradshaw swooning.
The collection includes dresses, skirts, bodysuits and other pieces, ranging in price from $295 to $2,395 and from sizes 0 to 14.
"Collaborating with Gilt on my first bridal ready-to-wear collection was an opportunity I couldn't pass up," said Sarah Jessica Parker. "The team there is brilliant and allowed me to be imaginative and take risks as I was designing for the non-traditional bride. It has been quite fun to play around with colors, fabrics and details to create unique pieces for all kinds of brides." The collection, comprised of ten styles, is inspired by Parker's vision of a modern, non-traditional bride, and is designed to dress a woman for a variety of wedding milestone moments; from her bridal shower through her wedding reception. Styles offered are a unique mix of classic dresses and gowns, modern bodysuits, full skirts, and a jumpsuit. The color palette includes traditional bridal white, sleek black, plus pops of blush, poppy, light gray and blue.
Designed in collaboration with Gilt, the collection was produced in New York City utilizing fabrics like cashmere and stretch crepe sourced from Spain, Italy and France.
The pieces all feature carefully curated details like elegant bows, sophisticated cutouts, feathers, intricate embroidery and beautiful hand-stitched beading.
The actress and style icon is no stranger to chic bridal wear. Carrie Badshaw, famously played by Parker, took part in an elaborate bridal photo shoot in Sex and the City: The Movie. The shoot featured gowns from designers like Christian Lacroix and Lanvin. Parker famously wore a black wedding gown for her own wedding to Matthew Broderick in 1997.
"Not only is Sarah Jessica Parker's style known around the world, her point of view is one-of-a-kind," says Tom Ott, Chief Merchant of Gilt. "Sarah Jessica brings her impeccable taste and fashion sensibility to life in this collection. We think our customers will be delighted with the offering which is stylish and well-priced in the bridal category."
As part of the bridal launch, Gilt will also offer 15 exclusive styles from the SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker footwear line, each of which are complementary to the bridal collection.
To correspond with the bridal collection launch, Gilt City will present offers from some of Sarah Jessica Parker's favorite places in New York City.
The offers were each chosen as a way to help brides plan for and celebrate the big day with highlights including, Leather Spa, Lars Nord Studio Tailoring, Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, among others.
More Information:
http://www.Gilt.com/SJP -
Alexandra Scarborough
Tea Forté Introduces ‘Matcha’ CollectionConvenience meets tradition in Tea Forté’s new Ceremonial Matcha Bowl Set and the Matcha Single Steeps.
The company said its spring harvested, shade grown, stone ground, organic matcha tea is best served in a centuries-old Japanese tea ceremony called chanoyu: a preparation technique known for its centering meditative qualities.
"The launch of Tea Forté's Matcha collection represents our continued commitment to wellness and cultivating all the potential mental and physical health benefits of tea," says Tea Forté CEO Michael Gebrael. "In addition to our high quality Pure Matcha, we've also blended four distinct flavored Matcha varieties. Prepackaged in pouches measured out for a single serving, our Single Steeps Matcha is ideal for the office, travel, or to keep with you for a boost anytime."
Tea Forté noted its handcrafted ceremonial tea bowl, handmade bamboo whisk and measuring ladle “encourages serene enjoyment of our premium Kosher, gluten-free and vegan matcha blends.” These include: Pure Matcha, Chocolate Matcha, Coconut Matcha, Ginger Matcha, and Chai Matcha.
According to a release, in addition to its distinctive taste, matcha is prized for its health benefits. Steeped green tea contains only the antioxidants that can be extracted in water, while with matcha, the whole leaf is consumed.
Available now in select stores and online at teaforte.com.
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Among other insights, the roundup revealed:
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