Postage of the Future: Day 5

Posted on March 14, 2014 by admin

On our last day of focusing on the future of postage, we concentrate on how social media has changed the face of the delivery industry and whether or not it could have a telling effect in the years to come. The vast majority of delivery services have managed to achieve excellent results through their online campaigns with social media playing a stand-out role.

Client interaction is something that many delivery services look to build on, whether its regularly updating a Facebook page with new international parcel delivery opportunities or making the most of twitter to provide more clients with a information about their delivery, similarly to that of our Help & FAQ’s page here at RAND.

What’s more, clients can use social media to leave feedback regarding the services they have received. This gives delivery companies the chance to expand by promoting the feedback that they receive.

So how could the delivery industry continue to expand with social media onboard? For starters, social media is the first point of contact for most people nowadays so the option of enhanced tracking and communication is all the more probable in the future.

Delivery companies can also maintain a competitive service by staying in touch with social media and clients will be able to offer their own opinions on how they feel delivery services should operate. In the meantime, you can get a great quote from us here at RAND today should you intend to ship a parcel abroad in the near future.

Postage of the Future: Day 4

Posted on March 13, 2014 by admin

Yesterday we touched on how tracking parcels could really boost the efficiency of international parcel delivery. Whilst there are plenty of tracking systems available online today, many of us would love to be able to know exactly where our parcels are and exactly how long they might take to arrive, especially if it’s a delivery of particular significance or a heavy parcel.

Thankfully, it seems that the introduction of smartphones, tablets and other kinds of handheld technology might completely change the way in which consumers deal with postal services.

We mentioned the idea of using e-mail as means of getting in touch with addressees in yesterdays blog post. Rather than restricting tracking services to email, we could even see an application of some sort that lets delivery companies provide information to customers directly to their handheld devices.

There are also many useful applications already available on the app store that could benefit delivery companies and their drivers including ZipCodes, Postal Code and UK Postcode, all of which provide in depth information regarding locations and so on.

There has been a real explosion of tracking applications available on both Apple and Android’s app store recently. As long as delivery services continue to explore the possibilities of parcel tracking, customers could gain all sorts of useful benefits from the service in the future.

With regards to future technologies, work is currently going into tracking systems that could potentially tell us exactly where our parcels are in the world using state-of-the-art GPS trackers.

Postage of the Future: Day 3

Posted on March 12, 2014 by admin

Today we take a look at how parcel delivery might develop to avoid one of the more frustrating aspects of receiving a parcel in the post. It can be incredibly annoying to come home and be welcomed with a message from the driver saying that you weren’t in to receive your parcel.

So how could parcel delivery change in the future to compensate for us not always being at home? Here are some of the possible solutions that the Royal Mail came up with last year that could make international parcel delivery a whole lot more efficient:

Many of us use smart phone applications as part of our everyday lives and we could now introduce tracking applications to give us a better idea of exactly how long our parcels are going to take to arrive on our doorstep.

In order to make sure your letters and parcels cannot be accessed when you aren’t in to receive them, lock boxes were also suggested so that drivers could deliver parcels in PIN-protected storage compartments rather than delivering to your neighbours.

E-mail is a form of contact regularly used in other forms of delivery service and it could prove to be extremely beneficial should someone need to know exactly when they have to be home to receive their parcel.

Visit our Help and FAQ’s page at RAND Logistics if you need to learn more about our current collection and delivery service.

Postage of the Future: Day 2

Posted on March 11, 2014 by admin

Yesterday we focused on Amazon’s Prime Air service that could change the face of how parcels are delivered on a global scale. Today we take a look at how Google has responded to Amazon’s “drone” project. Google have been widely recognised in recent years as they look to take the technology world by storm with driverless cars and “Project Glass”.

Towards the end of last year, Google revealed that they were planning the introduction of droids that could deliver groceries and heavy duty parcels to our doors. A Google executive partly responsible for Android smartphones, Andy Rubin, was the first to reveal Google’s postage project to the public.

Since resigning from his position at Android, Rubin has managed to get several companies onboard at Google, all of whom possess technologies that are capable of working towards a robotic postal service. Whilst it may seem too far off to challenge something like Prime Air which already has prototypes in operation, Google are confident that they can cover all sorts of activities with their robots including manufacturing and ultimately a parcel delivery service.

So what’s the realistic outlook for this particular form of delivery service? It might seem like something from a science fiction movie but Google have managed to join forces with a Japanese company that already make the most of digital robotics in delivery services. With that in mind, could we end up being greeted by a robot the next time our groceries arrive at the front door?

Postage of the Future: Day 1

Posted on March 10, 2014 by admin

This week we’ll be taking a look at what some of the potential outcomes could be as new ideas and the latest technological advancements start to appear in the postal industry. There are plenty of new ideas and inventions that have already been revealed by major online retailers including Amazon. We’ll be focusing on the prospect of Amazon’s Prime Air service today. Here at RAND we work with some of the largest couriers in the UK and internationally, including UKMail. Why not get a quote from our UKMail courier service today if you’re looking to ship larger parcels?

The Amazon drone was revealed to the world towards the end of 2013 and it proved to be a huge hit on YouTube as a result of its concept and appearance being related to that of something from science-fiction. The drones themselves have been named “Octocopters” by Amazon and the chief executive Jeff Bezos believes that they could be the start of a postal revolution.

The drones are capable of flying from one location to another, carrying a parcel up to 2.3kg in the process. Once they reach the postage address they simply drop the item off and return to the warehouse. Bezos has said that the drones aren’t likely to be in operation for some time yet, although they have already named the prospected service “Prime Air”.

It’s certainly a sign that technology is being integrated into the postal industry and new ideas for a more efficient postal system are emerging all the time. You can stay in touch with our blog here at RAND to learn more about the future technologies we could be seeing at some point over the next few decades.

Sending Baked Goods – Keeping Gifts Fresh

Posted on March 6, 2014 by admin

Everybody loves getting gifts in the post and it is even more heartfelt when these gifts are handmade and edible! Cookies and muffins are great if you are recovering from an illness, or you simply feel homesick for some traditional family cooking. Make sure your baked goods reach their intended destination in good condition with our top hints and tips.

Double Wrapped, Double Fresh!

You can never pack your baked goods too well. By ensuring that all Tupperware containers are sealed with cello tape and then placed inside a larger container, you are reducing the chances of the goods being exposed to air, plus you are reducing their chances of breaking from being thrown around. Place the smaller container in a larger container and fill with packing peanuts or bubble wrap to ensure that the container does not move around in transit.

Retaining the Moisture

Pack soft cookies or muffins with a slice of bread or a slice of apple, as these help the goods to retain their moisture. If you are packing up cookies, try not to pack moist cookies with hard ones, as the moist cookies will soften the crisp ones. If you have to pack them together, make sure each cookie is well wrapped individually.

For fast delivery and excellent service worldwide from Spain to Pakistan and further afield, choose RAND Logistics.

Tips on Sending Baked Goods – Wrapping

Posted on March 5, 2014 by admin

What better way to show you care for someone than a nicely wrapped fresh package of baked goods waiting at their door? At RAND Logistics we try to provide first class service along with top quality tips and hints for those sending packages throughout the UK and internationally, from Austria to the Ukraine and everywhere in between. Make sure to look into any postal restrictions before sending any packages abroad.

Double the Gift

Why not wrap breads, brownies or fudge bars in a decorative pan or baking dish to make it a doubled present? For added protection put the whole thing in an airtight container during shipping. Plus providing a baking dish or a decorative pan may encourage your recipient to try their hand at a few baking recipes in turn.

Separate Wrappings

For all types of cookies, both crisp and moist, it is better to wrap them individually in cling film or waxed paper to preserve freshness. Pack wrapped cookies in tight rows in order to prevent the cookies from moving about and breaking during transit.

Whether you are sending a package to a friend or relative, or starting up your own business, RAND Logistics can provide first class postal services at competitive rates. Use the free quotation form to get an instant quotation on your parcel now!

Sending Baked Goods Through the Postal Service

Posted on March 3, 2014 by admin

With Pancake Day coming up tomorrow, we here at RAND Logistics are looking forward to testing out new pancake recipes in preparation for the big day. However you may know a friend or relative who isn’t so great at baking, and might need a little help.

Baked goods and various perishables are post-able, but it depends on where you want to send them. Check your local postage guidelines to see what types of baked goods and perishable foods are allowed to be sent cross country and internationally. Here at RAND, we have put together a number of top tips that will help keep your baked goods in the best possible condition so that they reach their recipient relatively unharmed.

Choose the Right Container
Hard air locked containers are the best way to sent baked goods. Particularly for long distance parcels, air locked containers are recommended, as plastic will keep it fresh and prevent the goods from becoming stale.

Fragile
Mark the box fragile to ensure that the postal office takes better care of it. ‘This side up’ also works well for decorated cupcakes and frosted doughnuts.

We’ll continue with more tips to delivering baked goods tomorrow, but for excellent service and first class delivery on all packages and parcels from Bahrain to Bulgaria and further afield, choose RAND Logistics.

The History of the UK Postal Stamp – Day 5

Posted on February 21, 2014 by admin

When Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952, to commemorate the occasion a new set of stamps needed to be made. A collection of stamps based on a portrait done of the Queen by the photographer Dorothy Wilding, was used until 1967 and were commonly known as the Wilding issues. In 1967, the Machin issues were introduced, and have remained the same set of stamps that we use today.

Regional Stamps

From 1958, various regional stamps were used in the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, Scotland and Wales, that are only sold at post offices in their respective countries. However many of these regional stamps are still valid for use throughout the UK.

Commemorative Stamps

Up until the late 1950’s there were very few commemorative stamps in Britain, however more recently it has become common for commemorative stamps made for various events related to the present Royal Family. The Royal Postal Office have even issued various memorial stamps after the deaths of Princess Diana in 1998 and The Queen Mother in 2002.

At RAND Logistics we pride ourselves on providing efficient service at competitive rates. For an instant quote, fill in our quick quote form above and see how much you could save.

The History of the UK Postal Stamp – Day 4

Posted on February 20, 2014 by admin

There was only one stamp set issued for Edward VII in 1936 before he abdicated. George VI’s coronation was celebrated by an omnibus issue of stamps from every colony in the empire, featuring a profile of the new king on a solid colour background. World War II affected the way stamps were printed as in 1937 they used less ink, resulting in lighter shaded stamps.

Three years later, in 1940, the Postal Office celebrated the century year of the postal stamp with a commemorative set consisting of six stamps with Victoria and George VI side by side. Other commemorative stamp sets of the decade depicted the end of World War II and the return of peace, the Silver Jubilee of George VI and the 1948 Summer Olympics held in London.

The start of the 1950’s saw a new series of high value stamps to mark the changes in currency, with the new Queen Elizabeth II succeeding her father in 1952. The succession of a new monarch marked a change in the production of stamps, thus a new set of stamps needed to be made.

Whether you are sending your parcel within the UK, or internationally, RAND Logistics can help you with competitive rates on all parcels delivered from Saudi Arabia to Switzerland and even further afield.

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