The International Post Corporation (IPC) and the USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) have both recently shown interest in the concept of digital platforms and their applicability to the postal world. Typical examples of digital platforms include desktop operating systems such as UNIX, Mac and Windows; PDAs such as Palm, Psion or Newton; game consoles; payment systems; and mobile devices such as iPhone, Android, Symbian or Blackberry. The success of these platforms has relied on the presence of networks of users and providers, and common components that create sustainable ecosystems.
Posts around the world are confronted with significant challenges caused by the decline in traditional mail volumes and competition from private operators. Posts need to develop strategies that create new sources of revenue, yet maintain the essential role of the post in society. Posts already operate platforms, mainly physical distribution platforms. The challenge is to gain access to new platforms and to new sources of revenue. We believe that opening the postal infrastructure to privately sponsored and operated solutions would represent a significant opportunity for posts, introducing the private sector to support a strategy that will be less risky, more innovative, and more successful.
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