Technologies operating in the delivery and logistics market are constantly evolving and improving. Even earlier, we could not imagine that once the delivery of goods would be so quick and easy. Today, this is the reality in which we live.
Moreover, even modern solutions may seem outdated if we look at some of the advanced mechanisms operating in this area. And we are not talking about robotic delivery with drones now, no. It is, rather, about PickPoint issuing points, called pedestals. Read about what this is, how it works, and what benefits the sender and receiver receive in this article. We will also provide instructions for working with the system in order to make handling it more understandable to a simple user.
The idea of setting postamata
So, what exactly are these same postamates and who needs them? Well, starting from the name, you can guess: post means “mail”, “mail”; whereas the prefix “amat” is used in the field of vending to characterize the type of terminals or automatic systems. Therefore, if we analyze this term, it will become clear that we are talking about mail terminals operating on a self-service system. This model has been used in logistics for a long time; True, we saw her abroad. Today, it is quite successfully showing itself in the domestic market, offering small businesses more profitable solutions than classic delivery services. You will agree with this when you find out exactly how the system works and how it is so beneficial for a simple user.
How it works?
As you understand, the idea is based on PickPoint terminals. These are metal boxes installed on the same principle as a supermarket luggage room. Only these terminals do not have any locks and keys on the outside: user identification and opening of the cell is carried out by a special automated system that reliably protects the packages located inside.
Served by the PickPoint industry leader, the postamat (how to use it, we will explain a bit further) is a full-fledged point of cargo dispatch that works without an operator. You need to come to him, “introduce yourself” (using the SMS code) and pick up the package from the cell, access to which will be opened to you after that. It looks very simple, doesn't it?
Mobility
Due to the small size and ease of maintenance, the PickPoint stand (instructions for working with it, by the way, are on each terminal, which will not let you get confused on the spot) can be installed anywhere: near a store, bank, train station or library. There is no need to attract additional staff to his work, so such terminals do not have a work schedule: you can pick up a parcel at almost any time of the day (except at night: most terminals work from 8:00 to 22:00, but there are exceptions)! And most importantly - PickPoint delivery does not require you to coordinate with a courier! No need to call him and ask when he will be to pick up the package in person. It has long been put in a dedicated cell of one of PickPoint terminals in Moscow or in any other city (the network of postamata totals more than 600 units). You can pick up your item in three days.
Cheapness
Transferring goods to online stores is more profitable, of course, using a system of mobile terminals than through live messenger couriers. The cost of filling the cells with goods once is much lower than the precise coordination of the courier in the case of “hand-to-hand” delivery. Because of this, as indicated on the official website of the PickPoint service, in Moscow and throughout the country, more than 500 online stores today offer to deliver goods in this way. It is obvious that over time, as they become aware of the convenience of such delivery, people will use the services of the operator company more often. She is a relatively young but very active player in the PickPoint services market.
Postamate: how to use
Partially, we already wrote about how to work with the terminal. You can also say that here, on the spot, there may be a payment for the goods. Such a system is provided in case the client does not want to pay money in advance, but wants to make sure that his goods arrived in accordance with all conditions. This can be done using a special terminal installed on PickPoint (postamata). How to use it will be clear even to a child: it offers a system of special tips with which you can easily perform the desired action.
It is also important to note that using the described terminals you can not only pick up the goods, but also return them. This happens the same way as receiving, but vice versa. Previously, the user must select the appropriate item on the terminal screen.
Delivery Addresses
The company's website says that automated terminals for the delivery of goods are located, including in many shopping centers in cities. For example, this applies to grocery supermarkets, entertainment centers, places where people often visit on weekends and on weekdays.
If you are interested in a specific address where you could find this machine, you need to visit the company's online resource with a list of all terminals. On their website there is a special map where all addresses are marked. For example, in Moscow there are terminals at the address: Pyatnitsky Lane, 2 (open from 9:00 to 20 hours); Maroseyka street, 8 (from 10:00 to 22:00); Suschevsky Val street, 31 (from 8:00 to 23:59); 98 Dmitrovskoe highway (from 10:00 to 21:00); Vorotynskaya street, 18 (from 10:00 to 22:00) and so on. Of course, we will not list all 600+ addresses here.
Prospects
Today, the popularity of postamates, of course, cannot be compared with the demand used by classical courier services. But we believe that the PickPoint presented to you - the postamate (you already know how to use such) - will change this tendency. At least, it can be a great alternative to the standard and familiar to all of us delivery services operating on the same model.
Now the company is clearly not operating at full capacity, only creating its own network of terminals. When there will be more of them, people will more actively begin to use such a service and eventually will become more loyal to it.
conclusions
So, we learned what PickPoint (postamate) is, how to use it and why it is really more convenient (in most cases) than the classic courier model of receiving goods. We also talked about where you can find points of receipt of goods in Moscow, and about when it can be done.
It has not yet been said about the tariffing: the cost of sending the goods depends on the size of the box the online store will send. In total, the system provides for 3 types of packages: S, M, L. Their type, respectively, affects the price that the store will pay for the delivered goods.
In addition, of course, the range of delivery and the distance to the end user play a role. You can learn more about this in your personal account, highlighted on the service website.