U.S. looks to create an ‘Internet of Postal Things’ – Computerworld

There’s an interesting article by Patrick Thibodeau over at Computerworld about how the U.S. Postal Service is soliciting ideas about leveraging Internet of Things technologies throughout its (massive) system.

The U.S. Postal Service is looking to leverage IoT technology to increase the efficiency of its operations. (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.)
The U.S. Postal Service is looking to leverage IoT technology to increase the efficiency of its operations. (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.)

The Postal Service published a solicitation for a “supplier who has the expertise and critical knowledge of the Internet of Things,” as well as (big) data analytics. The goal is to harness data from throughout the Postal Service’s massive infrastructure in order to increase efficiency and lower costs.

The U.S. Postal Service is one of world’s most extensive and efficient. But it has also been bleeding red ink in recent years. The Services reported a $15.9 billion net loss in fiscal year 2012 – much of it tied to mandated payments to meet future retiree health benefits. Those losses have narrowed in recent years. In May, the USPO reported a net loss of $1.9 billion in the second quarter and increased operating revenue from the same quarter in 2013.

The Post Office is hoping that making its infrastructure “smart,” by deploying inexpensive sensors to everything from mailboxes to delivery trucks and letter carriers will allow it to identify and eliminate inefficiencies.

Read more here: U.S. looks to create an ‘Internet of Postal Things’ – Computerworld.

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