Hongkong Post has splashed out HK$156 million on a new mechanized mail sorting system to simplify work flow and enhance mail delivery efficiency.

The new system combines functions including optical character reading, video coding and letter sorting.

The new system is capable of handling 32,000 letters hourly and recognizing addresses on 70 percent of the letters.

The existing system can only handle 20,000 letters per hour and recognizes addresses on 45 percent of the letters.

Hongkong Post yesterday held a press conference to demonstrate how the existing and new systems function at the International Mail Centre.

Since the existing system has been in use for 17 years, some key components are no longer produced, Postmaster General Tam Wing-pong said.

In addition, address formats and print fonts on envelopes have become so varied that efficiency and accuracy of letter sorting have been affected.

Thirty percent of the letters will still be sorted manually even with the new sorting system, he disclosed.

These letters include those with Chinese addresses. Currently there is not a single software that can recognize both traditional and simplified Chinese characters with satisfactorily results. Oversized letters and mails in plastic bags will also be sorted manually.

Now post offices handle about 4 million letters daily. As such volume is not that large compared to the mainland and the USA, the post office has no intention to buy a topnotch system.

"The staff will finish their work in just one hour and have nothing else to do (if a topnotch system is chosen)," Tam joked.

Acting Assistant Postmaster General Albert Li said less manpower will be needed as a result of the new system and overtime work will also be minimized.

"We will save about HK$7 million a year. We will not lay off any staff as we will transfer excessive staff to counter services and new districts," he disclosed.

The new system will be implemented in three phases, with the automatic character reader being put into use in January.

The trial use of the entire system will complete in May 2009.

(HK Edition 02/22/2008 page1)