Rising postage prices prompt schools to reduce costs by texting letters to parents
23/5/2012
Ref: 120523CG
With Ofcom’s recent announcement, increasing first class stamps from 46p to 60p and second class stamps from 36p to 50p, schools throughout the country have welcomed electronic solutions to posting letters. In a bid to alleviate the impact of soaring postage costs and school budget cuts, technology such as ‘Text a Letter’ - a practical feature of Call Parents from Contact Group that allows letters to be sent via text message - has heralded a new era in school communications, effectively making traditional mail obsolete and at a fraction of the price.
Call Parents’ Text a Letter function allows schools to text letters to parents directly for the cost of a text, ultimately saving time and money for schools. Unlike traditional mail, Text a Letter ensures that parents still receive mail from their child’s school, even if they are away from home, and schools can see if the letter has been viewed. In addition, letters can be scheduled in advance and set up to go out during school holidays, increasing efficiency when staff levels are low. For a demonstration please see http://www.the-contactgroup.com/products/call-parents/Text-a-letter
Since Ofcom unveiled the new pricing regime for Royal Mail in March, the demand for this technology has increased as schools seek cost effective solutions to replace post and inadvertently reduce many other associated costs such as printing toner, paper and labour.
Stephen Clarke, Managing Director of Contact Group said: “As budget cuts hit hard, schools have been increasingly selective with their technology investments, balancing their budget with their need to accommodate for the growing demand for ICT equipment and software. The price of first and second class stamps have increased by 30% and 39% respectively, Royal Mail’s biggest price hike in 37 years. Over the next 7 years, the price of second class stamps will be capped at 55p but this limit could still rise with yearly inflation. It is therefore essential that schools look at alternatives to postage that deliver high cost savings whilst optimising the administration of their communications. Texting letters to parents will directly save schools money and alleviate the financial burden of price increases on stamps. ”
For further information, please visit http://www.the-contactgroup.com/products/call-parents/, call 0844 448 4422 or email sales@the-contactgroup.com. Follow @contactgroup on Twitter.