SmartPost
Encyclopedia
SmartPOST is an Estonia
n logistics
company which specializes in delivery of goods and self-servicing post offices. Founded in 2008, SmartPOST currently operates 46 self-servicing post offices over Estonia through a solution called Delivery Point Solution (DPS).
Currently, the DPS system is used by online shops for product delivery as an alternative to regular post services. Private customers can send their packages through the system as well and pay for the delivery on the spot with a debit
or credit card
. The system also encompasses an SMS
-based notification system notifying clients when an item has been delivered. SmartPOST's solution was implemented in April 2009.
Unlike other similar systems (such as the Packstation
solution in Germany), SmartPOST has placed its Delivery Point Solution indoors (e.g. in shopping malls), making them convenient to use even with bad weather. In July 2009, SmartPOST reported it is in negotiations with an Italian company interested in licensing SmartPOST's Delivery Point Solution for usage in Italy.
Currently SmartPOST is servicing roughly two hundred distant selling companies and online shops in Estonia.
During its first year of operation, SmartPOST reported an 13.8 million EEK (about 1.2 million USD) turnover with an 8.3 million ($740,000 USD) profit loss. SmartPOST's member of board Antti Oolup said that the loss was expected and planned, with monthly profits planned for the end of 2009. SmartPOST reported that over 33 thousand packages were sent through its service in Estonia in December 2009.
SmartPOST was chosen as the Logistics Deed 2009 at the annual Purchase Management and Logistics Conference. At the end of 2009, SmartPOST also reported that it will expand its business to Finland. Currently, only one-way packages can be sent from Estonia.
In November 2010, SmartPOST's CEO position was taken over from Indrek Oolup by Risto Eelmaa.
filed a complaint with the Estonian Consumer Union, claiming that SmartPOST's television advertisements were damaging the reputation of Eesti Post and also "calling viewers up to violence against elderly people". SmartPOST responded that the claim was untrue and damaging reputation or calls for violence were not their intention.
Production and intellectual rights for the Delivery Point Solution remains in the hands of Cleveron, a separate entity from SmartPOST.
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n logistics
Logistics
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
company which specializes in delivery of goods and self-servicing post offices. Founded in 2008, SmartPOST currently operates 46 self-servicing post offices over Estonia through a solution called Delivery Point Solution (DPS).
Currently, the DPS system is used by online shops for product delivery as an alternative to regular post services. Private customers can send their packages through the system as well and pay for the delivery on the spot with a debit
Debit card
A debit card is a plastic card that provides the cardholder electronic access to his or her bank account/s at a financial institution...
or credit card
Credit card
A credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services...
. The system also encompasses an SMS
SMS
SMS is a form of text messaging communication on phones and mobile phones. The terms SMS or sms may also refer to:- Computer hardware :...
-based notification system notifying clients when an item has been delivered. SmartPOST's solution was implemented in April 2009.
Unlike other similar systems (such as the Packstation
Packstation
Packstation is a service run by DHL Parcel Germany, a business unit of Deutsche Post's Mail division, in Germany. It provides automated booths for self-service collection of parcels and oversize letters as well as self-service dispatch of parcels 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Packstation...
solution in Germany), SmartPOST has placed its Delivery Point Solution indoors (e.g. in shopping malls), making them convenient to use even with bad weather. In July 2009, SmartPOST reported it is in negotiations with an Italian company interested in licensing SmartPOST's Delivery Point Solution for usage in Italy.
Currently SmartPOST is servicing roughly two hundred distant selling companies and online shops in Estonia.
During its first year of operation, SmartPOST reported an 13.8 million EEK (about 1.2 million USD) turnover with an 8.3 million ($740,000 USD) profit loss. SmartPOST's member of board Antti Oolup said that the loss was expected and planned, with monthly profits planned for the end of 2009. SmartPOST reported that over 33 thousand packages were sent through its service in Estonia in December 2009.
SmartPOST was chosen as the Logistics Deed 2009 at the annual Purchase Management and Logistics Conference. At the end of 2009, SmartPOST also reported that it will expand its business to Finland. Currently, only one-way packages can be sent from Estonia.
In November 2010, SmartPOST's CEO position was taken over from Indrek Oolup by Risto Eelmaa.
Controversy regarding advertising
In October 2009, Estonia's national postal company Eesti PostEesti Post
AS Eesti Post is the company responsible for postal service in Estonia. Eesti Post is 100% state owned .-External links:...
filed a complaint with the Estonian Consumer Union, claiming that SmartPOST's television advertisements were damaging the reputation of Eesti Post and also "calling viewers up to violence against elderly people". SmartPOST responded that the claim was untrue and damaging reputation or calls for violence were not their intention.
Sale to Itella Corporation
In July 2010, the Estonian Development Fund (majority shareholder in SmartPOST) sold its share to the Finnish postal service and logistics company Itella. Raivo Vare, Head of the Estonian Development fund commented on the sale, saying: "Risk investment is a field where there are few success stories, but SmartPOST is definitely one of them. Sale of SmartPOST is even better than it looks." The Estonian Development Fund reportedly earned €1.3 million from sale of SmartPOST.Production and intellectual rights for the Delivery Point Solution remains in the hands of Cleveron, a separate entity from SmartPOST.