My Postman App launched by DoP not Only introduces residents to their Postman, but also allows them to order Stamps And Envelopes

A new mobile app, launched by the postal department, not only introduces residents to their postman, but also allows them to order stamps and envelopes. Once residents enter their area, the app, called My Postman, throws up the name, number and photo of that area's postman.

"We realised since that fewer people stay at home, they do not get to know their postman unlike earlier. Hence we thought of using technology to introduce customers to their postman," said Umesh Verma, postmaster general, Gurgaon. "Once the customer has the credentials, he can coordinate with the postman while awaiting delivery of important documents like passports," he added.

Along with this, all postmen have been asked to carry smart phones so that they can home deliver stamps and envelopes, which residents can order through the app. The third party app was developed over six months and can be downloaded for free on the Google playstore.

"If this can be implemented on a national level, it will play a great role in connecting people to their post offices and postman," said Verma.

In fact, the app is part of a series of initiatives by the department to rejuvenate the dying business. The other main focus of the department is the e-commerce sector, which started in November 2014. Since its launch, the daily volume has grown from 3,000 parcels a day in March 2015 to 20,000 parcels a day in January 2016.

"The revenue from e-commerce is now 40% of the mail service revenue that is Rs 25 crore per annum and we are steadily increasing it. With our recent numbers, our revenue from e-commerce will be more robust this fiscal," said Verma.

He added that e-commerce majors such as Amazon, Flipkart, Yepme and Naaptol are some of the big e-commerce clients the department has. The postal department has also been organising workshops to woo more clients.

A website focusing on e-commerce and facilitating small time entrepreneurs was also launched to announce the service for smaller outfits. In 2015, a automated processing hub was launched for e-commerce orders at the Udyog Vihar post office.

"This is a great service, we have a small business and shipping the orders was becoming a pain as we had to wait for hours in line. Now with a home pick up, our dispatch is taken care of," said Vinay Kumar.