UPOST
Open Source Business - Practical Application
A retrospective summary on postal service.
DEFINITION
OPEN SOURCE BUSINESS - A business who's design is free to people and to which anyone may contribute.
PROBLEM
ON SHIPPING SERVICES
The shipping industry is inconvenient. One must be in a certain location around a certain time with an address in order to receive packages. There is no need for this complication.
SOLUTION
AN AUTOMATIC VENDING MAIL MACHINE.
DESIGN
BUILDING
The building will be as a recieving and sending location with a postal address. It must be of sufficient size to support the mail it recieves. It should be professional and secure.
MACHINE
FRONT-END
The front-end will provide a computerized menu screen and a package recieval area. In order to recieve the package, one must enter a fee and a unique address number that is communicated by either the seller or the shipping location. This
screen is private, as is any ATM machine. This will prevent theft of packages if more than one package was sent to the same address, in a staggered time.
BACK-END
Enclosed inside a secure chamber, a collection of conveyor belts, pistons, and shelves will handle boxes and larger packages. This will consist of an arrangement, possibility similar to the following, unless an improved arrangement is
found. There will be a number of shelves lined up in parallel. Three conveyor belts sit near the front, two are perpendicular and one is parralel, to delivery the package to the terminal. In between each two shelves is another conveyor
belt than can move vertically, supported by mechanial structures extended from the floor. Also, both in between and to the far sides of the shelves is a piston system. In between the shelves, they will hang from the cieling. On the
sides, they will extend from the wall. This will alow the manipulation of packages in order to facilitate the movement of the package to the delivery terminal.
In addition, also enclosed inside a secure chamber, in another location that is convenient to the corresponding delivery terminal, is an automatic sorting machine for approved-sized packages. This, after having categorierized all of the
packages/envelops that follow the regulation size, can deliver a chosen package to the corresponding terminal, using a simple add and remove type methology to locate the package.
The drop-off locations measure size, and either scan for the information on a sticker, or provide a sticker, with the option to print and/or e-mail the code to the designated e-mail address. Simple measures are taken to improve
reliability, such as returning packages than can not be read, do not follow size regulation, or are positioned incorrectly.
The need to access secure areas is limited to maintenance. The warehouse (listed in STORAGE AND REGULATION) will require a responsible and dependable manager.
SHIPPING COMPUTATION
UPost will function using a tracking number system, similar to UPS, DHL, USPS, or Fedex.
STORAGE AND REGULATION
The items will be stored in the store for a limited period of time. Afterwards, they will be shipped to a warehouse where they will be stored for a limited amount of time until the receiver has contacted them, letting them know to send
it to a pickup location. If enough time has passed (this quantitity is dependent on the amount of storage capacity), the object is returned to the sender, using a return address that is required to send.
EMPLOYEES
The business is designed to be as automated as possible. This reduces costs, allowing a lower financial risk. In the first implementation, the warehouses are the only places that need to be stocked as machinery for an entire warehouse
will be expensive. In the final implementation, the entire business is automated, saving for avoidable repairs, custodial work, and maintenence. The warehouse will function simply as a warehouse, with recieving, sending, and storage done
by employees.
MARKETING
It will be necessary to undertake appropriate marketing in order for this businesses services to be known. This business is ideal for people who are traveling frequently and would like a convenient way to send and recieve items. This
specifically applies to travelers who want a definite address to pickup mail when they move or while they are traveling.
CONSIDERATIONS
Security is essential in every person's life. This business must be regulated to provide a comfortable and secure environment. This means placing it near other 24-hour stores, in high-value locations, and providing security with cameras.
Hiring an armed attendent should not be necessary as there should be no danger in the first place. It is a consideration, however, but it should not be necessary. If it is necessary, it is endangering both people (due to the reason for
the necessity) and the armed attendent as well.
Tracking numbers (provided by UPost, UPS, DHL, USPS, or any other shipping service) are necessary to properly allocate space and calculate waiting times on packages, in the event that there are more packages then there is space to store
them inside the pick-up and send location.
NEEDED STEPS
-In depth market analysis, measuring target market (travelers) and predicted interest-Develop machinery
-Develop software
-Create business model (Business model must be adjustable to specific implementations and can calculate realist projected cost with estimated error)
SECONDARY NEEDED STEPS
-Find locations
-Find volunteers
-Develop machinery
POSSIBLE HELPING STEPS
-Start a fund to pay for market analysts and engineering if none are available for volunteer
ADVANTAGES OVER TRADITIONAL MAIL SYSTEM
LOWER COSTS
-Drastically reducing storage space needed allows more customers at a lower price
-An automated system reduces need for labor. Hiring three full-time employees costs over $5000/month, draining revenue
CONVENIENCE
-Allowing flexible shipping to anywhere in the world give travelers the flexibility they need, reducing the need for repeated registration and planning, thus reducing work and increasing comfort, no longer is needing to plan every detail
of the trip necessary, many people don't book hotels far in advance, having a shipping method that does not depend on the hotel or room number is convenient.
TRUST
-Flying to third world countries increases risk of stolen packages. A more centralized delivery system (as opposed to hotels) decreases probability of theft.
SUMMARY
This system is simple in concept and the design uses existing technology. It is a much more efficient way than private mailboxes as there is more space available (there is no need for long-standing empty space, lowering costs), the need
to rent mailboxes during a time of non-use is eliminated. Because of automation, costs are further lowered as the need to hire people is reduced. Total running costs amount to warehouse workers wage, electricity, custodial work, repairs,
and maintenance.
REASON FOR POSTING
I have found this forum to potentially have the motivation and resources to create this business. Again, this has been posted in multiple places, please direct people to a central location. The projects will come together if it begins
too decentralized and then it will formulate.
PLEASE SHARE
If you'd like, donate to 1HBC4bxMz74bveYiZxtajKhdu9oc646E27
