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FIRST LOOK: Singapore Launches First Smart Post Office

FIRST LOOK: Singapore Launches First Smart Post Office
Business Times | SingPost

SingPost launched the flagship of a new Smart Post Office network at the centre on World Post Day on Monday.

As quoted by Business Times, the General Post Office (GPO) is its first Smart Post Office, "augmented by a digital network that offers anytime and anywhere access to postal and other essential services" and will serve the Republic's postal needs in the digital age.

The GPO, along with the systems powering the future island-wide Smart Post Office network, is estimated to cost as much as $16 million, as reported by The Edge Singapore.

SingPost Centre at Paya Lebar. Image: SingPost
SingPost Centre at Paya Lebar. Image: SingPost

The 5,328 sq space in the SingPost Centre at Paya Lebar is currently the largest in Singapore and is the first in a series of smart post offices that the group hopes to launch across the island. As quoted by Channel News Asia, SingPost described the facility as the future of the post office.

It offers automated systems that improve operational efficiency and provide round-the-clock access to postal and other essential services.

First Smart Post Office in Singapore. Image: Channel News Asia
First Smart Post Office in Singapore. Image: Channel News Asia

These include the largest POPStation of 143 lockers, giving customers flexibility to collect and drop off parcels at any time of the day.

The new kiosks, located in the post office’s 24-hour self-service section, are powered by Apple iPads, to give users a “modern, user-friendly interface on high resolution, responsive touch-screens,” said SingPost.

Singapore's first dedicated philatelic store. Image: SingPost
Singapore's first dedicated philatelic store. Image: SingPost

 

The GPO also has SingPost's first dedicated philatelic retail store, which offers the full range of national stamps, and associated merchandise.

Both the GPO and the philatelic store were officially opened by Minister of Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim.

Earlier versions of the SingPost posting box. Image: Afifah Ariffin/CNA
Earlier versions of the SingPost posting box. Image: Afifah Ariffin/CNA

 

SingPost group chief executive Paul Coutts said to Business Times, "While the things we deliver are changing, our commitment remains the same: We deliver, come rain or shine."

Mr Coutts added that in line with Singapore's Smart Nation drive, SingPost is harnessing technology in its Smart Post Office and SmartPost initiatives to deliver with greater efficiency, and a better experience for all customers, "whether they are Web savvy eCommerce shoppers or more traditional mail users".

General Post Office of Singapore stamps issued on Monday (9/10). Image: SingPost
General Post Office of Singapore stamps issued on Monday (9/10). Image: SingPost

 

Noting the country's Smart Nation drive, SingPost's deputy group CEO Mervyn Lim said to Channel News Asia, “The launch of SingPost Centre underscores SingPost’s transformation for a future where technology is changing how people shop, dine and play."

"The opening of the GPO is a significant milestone in SingPost's transformation and a fitting celebration of World Post Day," said group chief executive Paul Coutts to Channel News Asia

 

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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