Universal Postal Union chooses AirClic to enable new postal "track and trace" service

Universal Postal Union chooses AirClic to enable new postal "track and trace" service Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, 9 October, 2001: The Universal Postal Union, the United Nations agency overseeing the world-wide postal service, announced today that it has selected AirClic to enable a new service giving proof of delivery of international parcels and express mail (EMS) items. Using bar codes read by small scanners attached to mobile phones, postal workers will be able to increase the efficiency and service levels of mail delivery using a new, but familiar tool. Postal operators from the 189 member countries of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the United Nations agency overseeing the world wide postal service, handle some 430 billion letters and parcels each year. They have consistently made use of advances in transportation technology to serve their customers in over 700,000 postal outlets around the world. A key challenge has been to capture proof of mail delivery accurately, efficiently and in real time, and provide effective tracking to the postal service and the sender. Although International Postal System (IPS) a global central database provided by UPU has been implemented in 42 countries, mail delivery personnel have only been able to enter information in the data base after they return to their base office. AirClic, a global company providing tools to move the power of the web into people's hands, is providing enabling technology to UPU's Postal Technology Centre, which in turn is developing solutions to meet the service needs of UPU members. By giving postal workers a bar code scanner attachable to their cellular phone, they can scan a package and immediately provide information confirming a successful delivery to anyone, anywhere in the world. The mobile bar code scanner wirelessly connects the mail deliverer to the IPS, facilitating the "track and trace" service. The ability to know where each item is at any given time, when it arrived and when it left the sender is now just a scan away. The service is simple to use and cost effective and is expected to have a significant impact on the follow-up of mail. "At the UPU, we work hard to facilitate the introduction of new global postal services in accordance with the requirements of our member postal operators. By working with technology partners, such as AirClic we can provide Posts with an opportunity to trial new technologies without having to invest valuable time and resources in establishing their own individual relationships", says Steve Gray, Program Manager E-business at UPU. The service is based on AirClic's Click-Thrutm technology, which empowers mobile users with wireless devices to easily access and interact with information and services instantly. Additional features are also being developed based on the requirements of both postal workers and customers. The new technology will be presented at the Post-Expo 2001 fair in Geneva October 9-11. For more information, see www.postexpo.com For further information please contact: Marcus Nilsson, Business Development, AirClic Inc., European Headquarters, Sweden. Tel: +46-8-6850747 Mobil: +46 70 589 8947 Steve Gray, Program Manager, e-Business, Postal Technology Centre, International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union, Switzerland. Tel: +41 31 350 3116 About AirClic Inc. AirClic Inc. operates an open system that provides the technology and infrastructure that transforms any portable Web device - a cellular phone, personal digital assistant, or a two-way pager - into a simple remote control for thousands of business and consumer applications. Users of these devices can scan a bar code or simply type in the series of numbers associated with the bar code to go directly to relevant, Web- based information, applications, stores, or transactions. This is done through AirClic's ClicThrutm switch and bar code registry which connects a particular bar code to Web pages deep within sites that have the right information or transaction capability. AirClic performs this function for a number of bar codes - most importantly EAN/UPC/JAN codes and a small proprietary bar code, a Scanlettm, which, when leased from AirClic, allows businesses and individuals to fully control the specific application, information, or transaction that particular users will be directed to on the Web. These codes can be printed on product packages, as they are today, as well as on a full range of print media. AirClic provides tool kits and access to Scanlets to applications providers, corporations and individuals, allowing them to develop a wide variety of consumer, business and proprietary applications globally for direct sales management, learning, purchasing, replenishment, bill paying and more. For more information, visit www.airclic.com. About Universal Postal Union The UPU is a specialized agency of the United Nations overlooking the worldwide postal service. Established in 1874, the postal services of its 189 member countries form the largest physical distribution network in the world. More than 6 million postal employees working in over 700 000 postal outlets all over the world handle some 430 billion letters and parcels each year. For more information, visit www.upu.int. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/10/09/20011009BIT00930/bit0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/10/09/20011009BIT00930/bit0001.pdf