In the past, Postal Service delivered papers, envelopes letters only. However, with the advancement of information system and technology, the situation has changed totally. As we know, the e-commerce movement has shaped the Postal Service carriers 180 degrees. United States Postal Service has expanded its role and the concepts of Postal Service has changed dramatically. Due to the evolution of technology, the USPS system has evolved considerably over the years. In this blog, I will explain what big data means to united states postal service.
For the USPS, there is no lack of postal data it is already big. However, USPS problem was dealing with the imbalance between the analyzing data and extracting value out of it. USPS decided to embrace Big Data and the Internet of Things that will completely transform the old postal system. Using big data to provide timely, more cost-effective and more reliable services. USPS started developing a new project called the "Internet of Postal Things Project."
To sum up, the project is still a work in progress, and it may not be implemented for a few years. However, implementing the Internet of Postal Things successfully could cut costs, generate efficiencies, optimize processes, and respond to customer demands for information and customization. It could also modernize the way it delivers its core business, generate new revenue, and ultimately create new business models. At the end, the development of an open platform where data are stored, managed, and shared, as well as strong privacy and security policies will be key to the successful implementation of an IoPT.
For the USPS, there is no lack of postal data it is already big. However, USPS problem was dealing with the imbalance between the analyzing data and extracting value out of it. USPS decided to embrace Big Data and the Internet of Things that will completely transform the old postal system. Using big data to provide timely, more cost-effective and more reliable services. USPS started developing a new project called the "Internet of Postal Things Project."
“The Internet of Postal Things (IoPT) — instrumenting the postal infrastructure with low-cost sensors to enable them to collect, communicate, and act upon a broad variety of data — could help the Postal Service generate operational efficiencies, improve the customer experience, and develop new services and business models.”(1)
So, this system would allow it to track the location of employees, vehicles, and individual pieces of mail in real time. As a result, this project will tighten up USPS operations and boost customer service through implementing big data analytics. To understand how The Internet of Postal Things will work check out this video:
As it shown in the video, there are four main IoPT applications:
- Transportation and Logistics: Sensors to monitor the postal fleet could maximize efficiency, reduce fuel costs and ensure maintenance resources are used to the greatest effect.
- Smarter Postal Buildings: Like transportation, smarter buildings could reduce energy usage and optimize operations, security and safety.
- Enhanced mail and parcel services that include applications to protect and improve the core business. Sensors generate new data that increase the value of products for senders and recipients and enable the creation of new services.
- Neighborhood Services: For carriers on regular routes, IoPT data could help increase efficiency and provide a larger view of what services are used in a community.
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| IoPT Areas of Application and Selected Use Cases |
Implementing the Internet of Postal Things will:
- Identify technical problems that make it difficult for postal workers to do their jobs
- Help people track their mail
- Make it easier to maintain vehicles
- Find more efficient routes to deliver mail
- Identify employees that need additional training
- Assess weather conditions
- Make sure drivers are complying with traffic laws
To sum up, the project is still a work in progress, and it may not be implemented for a few years. However, implementing the Internet of Postal Things successfully could cut costs, generate efficiencies, optimize processes, and respond to customer demands for information and customization. It could also modernize the way it delivers its core business, generate new revenue, and ultimately create new business models. At the end, the development of an open platform where data are stored, managed, and shared, as well as strong privacy and security policies will be key to the successful implementation of an IoPT.
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