With so much lost during COVID, businesses are under increasing pressure to cut costs and re-evaluate their expenditure. But the pandemic has challenged the norms, businesses now expect more for less, technology the key driver in this change. Although cost remains a critical area for any business, it’s no longer enough to offer a simple cost saving without a tangible business benefit– enhanced service levels, increased productivity and flexibility all factoring high in their approach to business changes.
Nothing is off the table, from reviewing the need for fixed business premises to rethinking everyday business processes. Postage is an area often overlooked by SME’s but with postage price increases being applied across all delivery platforms over recent months, we’re seeing a growing trend towards Mailmark Franking particularly from professional services and small online retailers.
Businesses who regularly post letters and parcels using UPS, Royal Mail, FedEx, USPS are being hit hard with increasingly rising postage costs – Mailmark Franking technology can deliver substantial cost reductions whilst giving businesses access to a huge range of enhanced benefits.
Benefits of Franking
Saves Time
Faster than sticking stamps, a franking machine automatically calculates rates and prints postage. Many franking machines can seal your envelopes as well.
Saves Money
Metered mail unlocks postal discounts, saving you money over stamped mail. With integrated scales, never apply more postage than necessary.
More Convenient
With postage available 24/7, your mailing process fits within your schedule. No need to go to the post office to buy stamps.
Professional
Put a professional business image on your envelopes with the metered imprint. Add your logo or a special message.
Connected to the Cloud
Our FP PostBase Vision range allows you to connect to an online portal, to manage your device from wherever you are.
Our partners FP Mailing recently published a useful article covering the key price increases by platform, we’ve republished this below for ease of reference;
Postage Price Increases (Source FP Mailing)
UPS
On 29th December 2019, UPS prices were increased across a number of areas including UPS® Ground, UPS Air and International services all increasing by 4.9%. Other changes made effective on the same day included rebill fees and charges for undeliverable items, amongst other price increases which can be viewed here under 2020 Published Rates Information.
FedEx
The FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery, FedEx SmartPost and FedEx Freight services from FedEx all saw price increases applied on 26th January with many tariffs applying an uplift of just under 5%, as well as additional shipping charges. The 2020 increased prices can be viewed on their published document here.
Royal Mail
Royal Mail’s business customers experienced a price increase across the rate card with an average of over 5.2% effective 2nd January 2020, seriously affecting online retailers, with the biggest increase on international letters with a whopping 5.9% uplift! The full 2020 business rate card can be seen on the Royal Mail website. The cost of non-business postage stamps is also set to increase on Monday 23rd March 2020 with a 1st class stamp going up to 76p each and 2nd class to 65p each.
Mailmark Franking with NCS
For businesses who send post on a regular basis, switching to Mailmark Franking will not only unlock significant cost savings but give access to a wide range of added benefits from enhancing business image to improvements in staff productivity and management control. Learn more from our mailroom specialist, chat now or request a quick quote.
