in Small Business
Issue No. 1 - July/August 2001
Posthaste
Haste Beats Waste
It seems incongruous to be using IT innovation to revolutionise ‘snail mail’, but Adelaide mailing house Posthaste has done it with new software that dramatically simplifies huge postal jobs.
Point—Click—Mail (PCM) involves installing a program on the client’s computer and linking it to frequently posted documents. Once set up, the user clicks desktop icons to mail out invoices, reminder notices, lay—bys, overdue notices, etc in a two—click operation. Mailing data is automatically formatted and sent on—line to Posthaste for immediate processing and dispatch.
This surprisingly simple function has turned up unexpected flow—on benefits for Posthaste clients.
By using PCM, one user saved enough clerical time to redeploy a receptionist to part—time telemarketing, generating a 15% increase in sales during the following six months. Another client found the efficiency and automated accuracy of PCM dramatically reduced the level of bad debts. A third has saved 9.5 hours per week.
Posthaste chief executive, Barry Longhorn took the PCM idea to IT development contractors, who developed it into marketable software.
“The original concept was for PCM to secure more customers in the ever—shrinking Adelaide market,” Barry said. “As head offices moved interstate, we planned to market PCM to small business – they could have a mailing facility in—house, without the huge cost.”
Contrary t...
