Thursday, August 27, 2015
Profitable But Shame; True Story Of India Post COD
Location 1: A Branch Post Office
A congested small half heighted room under the staircase of an office complex built by the state government authorities. The Branch Postmaster, a lady looking nearly 65 years old, is sitting in a damaged chair with dissatisfied face near to a small table. A fan or even proper ventilation is not available in this office.
NB: Dissatisfaction may be due to her concern about the life after retirement (Sorry- Discharge of service)
This small room is filled with undeliverable parcels with label COD. Actually the BPM is surrounded with different types of CODs i.e. BP-COD, SP-COD, EP-COD.
One college boy approached this Post Office and asked about one COD parcel to be received in his name. The BPM told him “Your parcel has been received and this is your parcel, but I cannot deliver this to you since the message is not received.”
The boy asked more about the message and argued for his parcel. He told “my parcel has been received and I am willing to pay the amount, then why you are waiting for message? I don’t want any message… I want only that parcel.”
Helpless BPM! She doesn’t know much about message and its technicality. Instead she acts according to the instruction received from her Account office.
Finally the boy left the office by cursing the Department.
Location 2: A Departmental B Class Sub Office
Rented building with sufficient space but no space in the counter to place a voucher because the small counter is over crowded with various devices. But one-man-show is playing in this office due to staff shortage. But the man working in this office looks very enthusiastic. (NB: The expectation of salary hike in the 7th CPC may be the one of the reasons of his happiness)
One network rack is fixed in a danger condition just above the head of Postmaster and that may fall at any time. (NB: Sify people will reduce the staff strength again)
COD-parcels are dumped in all corner of this office.
One middle aged man approached this Post Office and asked about one COD parcel to be received in his name. The Sub-Postmaster told him “Your parcel has been received, but I cannot deliver it to you because three messages have been received of for this one parcel. So I am waiting for our System Administrator”
He looked at the eyes of Postmaster pathetically without understanding these technicalities. After that he left the office without any complaint or agitation. But he might have said in his mind “What Message and What System Administrator”
Location 3: A Head Post Office
Red and white colour theme and standardized furniture increase the look but old 2000 model computers and dragging printers are losing the dignity gained from Look and Feel.
One e-commerce customer is waiting at the counter for booking COD articles, at the same time one Gentle man approached the delivery branch for his COD articles. The official in the delivery branch told “Your parcel has been reached at this office one week back, due to error in the software it cannot be included in our software. We are waiting for the solution from CEPT.”
The Gentle man asked “What is CEPT?”
The official replied with a smile “Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology”
Part II
Have you ever gone through any of the above said scenario? If you are a Post Office staff, surely you will be well aware of it. Most pain full part is that it is the sorrow of operational staffs only. But others are simply closing their eyes towards the truth (may be due to ignorance)
If it is a single case, we can leave it without giving much importance. But if is happening everywhere, there is something wrong somewhere. But who will answer to the questions from field units?
Have you checked the impression of India Post COD in the web world? If the answer is no, please see the Google search result about India Post COD below. If you search in Google.com with words “India Post COD Service” you can see the same results in rank number 2.
The above said search result is not at all a good sign for India Post in the ecommerce driven parcel service industry. Till the introduction of COD service, the market share of India Post in the parcel service related to ecommerce sector was negligible. But now lots of ecommerce parcels are flowing through the channel of India Post and it is the main revenue source of Department of Post.
If you analyse the evolution of COD in India Post, you can see that there were so many setback in its implementation. Let us examine the reason for this fall.
Retaining an existing customer is more important than acquiring a new business.
1. Implementation without proper planning.
India Post has glorious track record in the implementation of various services throughout the nation and thereby it has earned good trust from the people of India. So the expectation toward any new product or service introduced by India Post will be very high especially the trust in security since it is a Government of India institution.
A mere implementation will not satisfy the needs of a customer in long run. An effective implementation needs proper planning. Here in the case of COD services, I think there was no such planning in advance. It was like somebody got an idea in the midnight and they have implemented the same in the morning.
Through the next four points you can clearly understand that the DOP had implemented COD service without much planning.
2. Lack of time for development and testing of software.
Creating error free software is the crucial part while introducing a new service. Without stable software, it cannot implement on a larger scale without much complaint. At the same time it is not possible to develop stable software in one or two days. So many stages are involved in the development of software and each stage has its own time.
In my knowledge, CEPT is receiving late intimation from directorate in connection with adding new option in software. In most of the cases the inauguration of new service would be fixed in advance without knowing the status of software.
Due to the pressure from the directorate or somewhere, the programmers will be forced to release imperfect software. They will cut off the time taken in each stage of development and in some case they may skip some stages also. This happened in many cases especially in the case of BP-COD. That is why it is facing so many issues even after two years .
3. Same way of thinking in software development.
Conceiving the idea is very important for the development of software. Software for new service can be developed in many ways. Attaining the goal through simple steps with minimum requirement should be the first priority.
In case of COD services, programmers are thinking in same pattern followed by the introduction of eVP service. Since they are more concerned with the rules in the volume, they cannot develop with full freedom. This is the main issue in developing software for India Post.
India Post has very strict rules and regulations in its operation but all such rules need not be implemented while developing software. Trying to include all manual procedure in the software will make software complex.
The developers are not trying to explore the other areas to develop stable COD software. Even if the BP-COD software is a failure, they simply followed same procedure in the SP-COD service also. They all are based on RNet, SpeedNet and ePayment communications. Using multiple communications and multiple modules for handling one service will make service more inconsistent.
COD services are prestige service of India Post then why don’t they use the possibilities of web application for this service? If it is more expensive or time consuming, why don’t they try some simple methods through existing system?
Option for ePayment booking with flexible biller ID at delivery Post Office, receiving automated token from Central Server for retransmitting COD booking messages without human intervention, etc. are some other options.
If India Post invites idea from Postal Staffs across the country for better implementation of a service or Software, they will give hundreds of amazing options.
4. Lack of proper software support.
Software itself is a problem then think about the condition in which operating this software without proper support. That is happening everywhere. For the past few years the condition of CEPT help desk is pathetic. With the introduction of COD, the support is getting worse.
We have discussed the same matter through different posts like
IndiaPost’s COD services – Implementation failed and Testing of SP-COD articles;Total confusion made severe headache.
Unfortunately there is no change in the attitude. The comic replies from help desk make peoples laughing.
A latest comedy is given below.
Scenario: The case was happened at one COD payment office. The SA raised ticket in HDMS for not receiving payment message of a particular COD in Treasury module. The said COD was booked in another office and was delivered from another office.
Fortunately all details were get updated in the tracking.
Support team asked for epayment database of payment office and finally they have given a reply after analysing the database that “article details not available in the forwarded database, please check with out article details providing solution is not possible”
If the details were available in the database there would be no need for raising ticket.
The helpless SA not reopened the case because if he asks more questions, it will invite the dislike of support team and finally they will reach in a conclusion “Database Tampering”, the final arrow towards the questioner.
You can read the original conversation below.
Ticket No: TICNO006XXXX
Ticket Raised Date: 09 Jul 2015 15:14:46:120
Problem Description: An SP-COD EZ746000XXXX booked at XXXX HO has been delivered at destination office on 26.06.2015 and the status has been updated in the ePayment server. But the message has not reached at YYYYY HO for payment. ePayment client is running without any issue and other SP-COD articles are receiving both for delivery and payment. Kindly give necessary guidance to receive the above said SP-COD message for effecting payment. The SP-COD tracking details attached
Screen shot: Download
Suspended Information: CEPT Replied: please forward ecounter database for analysis
Suspended Date: 10 Jul 2015 15:43:00:500
Ticket No: TICNO006XXXX
Ticket Raised Date: 13 Jul 2015 11:28:36:943
Problem Description: Google drive link attached
Solution Description: CEPT Replied: article details not available in the forwarded database, please check with out article details providing solution is not possible
Ticket Closed Date: 13 Jul 2015 17:50:03:820
Ticket Raised Date: 09 Jul 2015 15:14:46:120
Problem Description: An SP-COD EZ746000XXXX booked at XXXX HO has been delivered at destination office on 26.06.2015 and the status has been updated in the ePayment server. But the message has not reached at YYYYY HO for payment. ePayment client is running without any issue and other SP-COD articles are receiving both for delivery and payment. Kindly give necessary guidance to receive the above said SP-COD message for effecting payment. The SP-COD tracking details attached
Screen shot: Download
Suspended Information: CEPT Replied: please forward ecounter database for analysis
Suspended Date: 10 Jul 2015 15:43:00:500
Ticket No: TICNO006XXXX
Ticket Raised Date: 13 Jul 2015 11:28:36:943
Problem Description: Google drive link attached
Solution Description: CEPT Replied: article details not available in the forwarded database, please check with out article details providing solution is not possible
Ticket Closed Date: 13 Jul 2015 17:50:03:820
5. Lag in alternative and corrective measures
Setback is common in the implementation of a new service or new mechanism, but finding and applying an alternative solution in the right time is the success in failure. At the same time, when you following an alternative methods, correction process should be started after studying the actual causes of failure.
After the introduction of BP-COD, so many software issues have been reported from various sides but no one had given proper attention to these issues. Finally lots of customers complained for not receiving their money for the delivered article. After a long period the Directorate has issued an order showing the alternative method of COD payment through eMO.
The first order for sending CDD collection through money order was upto a particular period and after understanding the seriousness of issues they have extended this order to an indefinite period.
No corrective measures have been done in the software side after this order and the issues are still alive even after two years, so most of the offices are sending the COD collection as Money Order.
When you come to SP-COD, the scenario is not different. So many issues are reporting from all sides but no effective action has been taken from any side. The higher authorities are not hearing the crying from the ground level, they simply admitting what CEPT is telling. The ground level facts are more important than conceptual talking of software developers. Everything will be fine theoretically but in practical it may not be like that.
No alternative method has been adopted for the payment of SP-COD collection so far. India Post has all the facility to adopt an alternative method of payment quickly. Then, why should they wait for long to introduce this. The lost customer will not approach again so quick and effective remedy is needed.
Deploying a disaster recovery site or modules after the failure of software as a result of false implementation is not at all a good exercise.
Conclusion
After reading all the above points, you should not think that COD service of India Post is worse compared to others. Compared to the benefits which one ecommerce customer is getting, the internal issues pertaining to India Post COD are negligible. Since it is the prestigious and future deciding service of India Post, it should be completely error free and reliable. If the issues reported from ground level are addressed properly, COD business of India Post and its rating in web will be raised to a new height in the near future.
Source : www.speakpost.com
Monday, August 10, 2015
The Ministry of Railways provides concessional fare for PH persons
The Ministry of Railways provides concessional fare for various classes of persons with disabilities as under:
S.No.
|
Category of Persons
|
Percentage of Concession
|
1
|
Orthopaedically Handicapped/Paraplegic persons who cannot travel without escort –for any purpose
|
|
2
|
Mentally retarded persons who cannot travel without escort- for any purpose.
| |
3
|
Blind persons travelling alone or with an escort- for any purpose
| |
4
|
Deaf & Dumb persons (both afflictions together in the same person) travelling alone or with an escort- for any purpose.
|
· 50% in 2nd , Sleeper and 1st Class
· 50% in Monthly Season Ticket & Quarterly Season Ticket
· One escort is also eligible for same element of concession.
|
Now get mobile data deactivated by a call or SMS to 1925
Mobile subscribers will be able to activate or deactivate internet service on their mobile phone by calling or sending an SMS to a new toll free number 1925 from next month onwards.
The new directive from telecom regulator TRAI follows a large number of complaints from customers that mobile operators were keeping the process of deactivation very complex to earn extra revenue.
The directive issued today mandates telecom operators to provide toll free number '1925' from September 1 to activate or deactivate mobile internet service either by making a call on the number and following instruction or by sending a SMS.
Customers can send SMS to 1925 by writing 'START' to activate and 'STOP' to deactivate the service. Telecom operators will have to immediately reply to customer about status of activation and deactivation of their service.
The new amendment issued in Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations directs telecom operators not to charge subscribers for usage beyond subscribed limit without their explicit consent.
"No service provider shall activate or deactivate the data service on the Cellular Mobile Telephone connection of a consumer without his explicit consent," the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said.
Though provision to activate or deactivate a value added service has already been in place but telecom operators often refused complete deactivation of mobile internet services.
"These complaints mainly relate to... non-availability of information relating to data usage... non-availability of information to consumers whenever the data pack is exhausted..activation of internet service on mobile phones without the explicit consent of the consumer," TRAI said.
Under the new rule, the regulator has clarified that the consent of a mobile customer expires after the subscribed mobile internet limit like 500 MB, 1GB, 2GB etc., gets exhausted.
"Authority decided that those consumers taking data packs such as STV (special tariff voucher) or Combo Voucher or add-on pack will be deemed to have given their consent for data services. Such consent will be deemed to be only for the duration of validity of data pack or on exhausting the data limit, whichever is earlier," the regulator said.
The difference in mobile internet rates under scheme and without any scheme can be as high as 500 times.
The regulator has asked telecom operators to send alert to those customers who have not subscribed to mobile internet service, but use it as per their need, after every 10 megabyte of data consumed by them. Consumers will also have an option to opt out of this alert.
Customers on international roaming will only get alert to switch off mobile internet service on their handset if they are not using it.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Online filing of RTI applications
Government of India has started a RTI online web portal whereby Right to Information (RTI) applications can be filed online by Indian citizens, including those who are living abroad. The detailed procedure in filing of on-line RTI application is as under:
An Indian citizen can file RTI application online through RTI online web-portal, having Uniform Resource Locator (url) www.rtionline.gov.in. The prescribed fee for RTI application can also be paid online through a payment gateway of State Bank of India by way of internet banking of State Bank of India and its associate banks and by using Rupay card, debit/credit cards of Master/Visa. This facility at present is available for 431 Public authorities of Government of India.
All the States have been requested vide this Department’s letter dated 3rd December, 2013 to explore the feasibility of implementing online RTI in their respective States. National Informatics Centre (NIC) has been requested to provide technical support such as software and source code to the State Governments who desire to replicate the web portal for online filing of RTI applications at state level.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Adv. Joice George in the Lok Sabha today.
GOOGLE DRIVE DOWNLOAD LINK OF HIREN BOOT CD 15.2
Hiren's BootCD (also known as HBCD) is a bootable software CD containing a number of diagnostic programs such as partitioning agents, system performance benchmarks, disk cloning and imaging tools, data recovery tools, MBR tools, BIOS tools, and many others for fixing various computer problems. HBCD can be considered a valuable tool for use in troubleshooting and recovery of computers.
As it is bootable, the operating system of the computer need not be available for the tools to be usable. All that is required is that the computer is able to run Microsoft Windows and Linux. Most of the tools are also available when the operating system is already running.
Download Hiren Boot CD 15.2 : Download
Saturday, August 1, 2015
USEFUL TOOL FOR COUNTER PAS TO CALCULATE REBATE, DEFAULT FEE AND ST ON PLI AND RPLI
Download Counter Assistant Tool
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)