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Royal Mail is increasing postal rates from April this year, with first class stamps costing about 39p and second class 30p. In 2008, postal rates had already gone up.
Businesses will face an average of 4.2 percent increase in postal rate; though the hike is expected to be lower for those using pre-paid accounts and franking machines. Considering that Royal Mail apparently continues to make a loss with every piece of mail delivered and postal rates in the UK are amongst the lowest in Europe, one can expect these rates to continue to go up over the next few years.
All the more reason for businesses with a decent volume of mail each month to consider switching to a franking machine; the savings will not be insignificant, particularly if the current trend of frequent postal rate hikes continue.
Businesses will face an average of 4.2 percent increase in postal rate; though the hike is expected to be lower for those using pre-paid accounts and franking machines. Considering that Royal Mail apparently continues to make a loss with every piece of mail delivered and postal rates in the UK are amongst the lowest in Europe, one can expect these rates to continue to go up over the next few years.
All the more reason for businesses with a decent volume of mail each month to consider switching to a franking machine; the savings will not be insignificant, particularly if the current trend of frequent postal rate hikes continue.
How does technological changes in mailing / postal services impact direct marketing, particularly for small to medium sized businesses? Quite a bit, if you go by this interesting blog post by David Jefferies.
The biggest advantages of the automation that has come about in the mailing-related activities are that costs have been cut, errors eliminated and made for better use of human resources. Says David, "At the SME level, folding, inserting and franking technology continues to move on apace. The best technology is developing in line with todays increasingly liberalised postal market to offer users choice, convenience and professionalism." Another important point, according to him, is that current mailing technology allows for marketers to do personalized mailing not withstanding the scale.
While the franking machine and other postal equipment manufacturers look at product development to make life easier for companies to carry out mailing themselves, other developments in terms of services pose their own set of challenges. Take for example, the launch of this service that according to the providers could mean the death of franking machines! Now that's going to an extreme, isn't it?
The biggest advantages of the automation that has come about in the mailing-related activities are that costs have been cut, errors eliminated and made for better use of human resources. Says David, "At the SME level, folding, inserting and franking technology continues to move on apace. The best technology is developing in line with todays increasingly liberalised postal market to offer users choice, convenience and professionalism." Another important point, according to him, is that current mailing technology allows for marketers to do personalized mailing not withstanding the scale.
While the franking machine and other postal equipment manufacturers look at product development to make life easier for companies to carry out mailing themselves, other developments in terms of services pose their own set of challenges. Take for example, the launch of this service that according to the providers could mean the death of franking machines! Now that's going to an extreme, isn't it?
Panasonic Communications of Japan is scheduled to introduce six models of two types of electronic whiteboards, reports Tech On, a Nikkei publication. Greater emphasis is being put on security in the soon-to-be-introduced whiteboards.
For instance, passwords can be set on the LCD display of the main unit that will prevent data from being printed or saved on to another storage device. Moreover, there will be capability to alert users if data has not been cleared from the whiteboard.
The two types of whiteboards to be introduced are a film-board type which can be hung on a wall while a steel-board type can have documents posted using magnets. The film-board type models will come with significantly enhanced readability. According to the report, the retail price of these whiteboards are likely to be in the US$2000- US$3100 range.
More details on the new whiteboard models here.
For instance, passwords can be set on the LCD display of the main unit that will prevent data from being printed or saved on to another storage device. Moreover, there will be capability to alert users if data has not been cleared from the whiteboard.
The two types of whiteboards to be introduced are a film-board type which can be hung on a wall while a steel-board type can have documents posted using magnets. The film-board type models will come with significantly enhanced readability. According to the report, the retail price of these whiteboards are likely to be in the US$2000- US$3100 range.
More details on the new whiteboard models here.
If ever your office photocopier breaks down, then there is a much simpler choice to help you with your copying besides going through a "scan-save-open-print" routine. The solution is in fact, a free-to-download software named "Photocopier".
Just a little over 1MB in size, this software from Nico Cuppen Software requires just a printer and a TWAIN-compliant scanner to generate copies of documents. As Ian Harac writes in his review on PC World, "You plonk paper on your scanner, you hit the 'copy' button on the photocopier program, and it automagically scans your document and sends it to your printer! No scan, save, open, print hassle--point and click all the way. "
Obviously, the free-to-use copier software doesn't offer too many features and functions, but then it is more than handy to solve some temporary/ short-term copier issues. Don't expect of course to be able to do away with your requirements for a copier, particularly if you are likely to need to copy more than a few pages each month.
Just a little over 1MB in size, this software from Nico Cuppen Software requires just a printer and a TWAIN-compliant scanner to generate copies of documents. As Ian Harac writes in his review on PC World, "You plonk paper on your scanner, you hit the 'copy' button on the photocopier program, and it automagically scans your document and sends it to your printer! No scan, save, open, print hassle--point and click all the way. "
Obviously, the free-to-use copier software doesn't offer too many features and functions, but then it is more than handy to solve some temporary/ short-term copier issues. Don't expect of course to be able to do away with your requirements for a copier, particularly if you are likely to need to copy more than a few pages each month.
Coms Plc., a leading provider of VoIP business phone systems in the UK, has announced the launch of Coms VoIP DECT(Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications). Using repeaters and additional base station, this fully wireless version will provide customers with crystal clear voice within an area covering 100 meters to 64 sq. kilometers.
The best part of Coms VoIP DECT is that it is fully customizable. The improved handset battery give up to 150 hours stand by and 10 hours of talk time. The phone system also provides features of call hold, call transfer, voice mail, etc. that are now becoming regular features of business phone systems.
The system uses base stations, which is well connected to Internet and installed at the users location. Working as a bridge between a telephone handset and the Coms server, these base stations deliver a wireless signal to the handsets. Since it is an Internet-based service, it can include many locations in the same network providing good business communication. With an increased mobility and easy installation facility, it provides all the services that one expects from an excellent business VoIP system. The installation of Coms VoIP has reportedly reduced telephone bills of a client by half.
