Number one operator

All companies invest in technology to deliver a better service for their customers and we are no exception.

We are making a significant investment in technology and changes to our pipeline. The market is changing rapidly, and if we are to maintain our position as the number one mail operator, we must change too.

There are some exciting changes currently in progress, and we’re working with the CWU to drive these forward. Below are some highlights:

PDA Outdoor Actuals

We have invested significantly in our PDA technology, and Royal Mail and the CWU have agreed to the rollout of PDA Outdoor Actuals (PDA OA) data reporting to all units in Collection and Delivery.

PDA OA will support colleagues in Collections and Delivery by enabling balanced decision making around operational challenges. It will also enable a fair and balanced workload across duties, while helping improve customer service and increase our competitive advantage.

The rollout has begun across the Delivery and Collection units. Your manager will inform you when it’s due in your unit.

Resource Scheduler

We will introduce new software into our operation to help us plan our staffing base better than we currently do.

The software will help us create better rosters, which means we can be fairer in the way we allocate overtime and be more flexible with how we handle short-term annual leave requests. The software should enable us to be much better at maximising our colleagues’ skills.

Software development is largely complete now, subject to some final modifications and testing. We are planning on piloting the software at eight trial sites in August and September.

Later acceptance times (LAT)

We’re in final preparations for the launch of LAT. This will enable mail to enter some distribution centres up to 1.30am for delivery later that day.

Around 180 Delivery sites have been identified and we’re advertising for colleagues to volunteer to take on additional hours that will allow deliveries up to around 7pm.

At the same time, our sales teams are talking to both new and existing customers about the service, to increase parcel volumes into our network.

Delivery revisions

We have been in discussions with the CWU about which units will go through revisions this year. Delivery leaders and CWU divisional representatives have now produced a list of around 170 offices, where we will assess both the indoor and outdoor workload and identify areas for improvement.

The first phase of revisions for this year will begin shortly and run until October.