Date:23/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/23/stories/2008052352351500.htm

National

DoP using digitally operated franking system

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Department of Posts (DoP) has started using new generation digitally operated franking system.

The system has been tested as per the specifications laid down and cleared by the Electronic Testing Machinery under the Department of Information and Technology.

After clearing two models of remotely managed franking system machines (postage meters) – called “Digi Frank Plus” — one each from global leaders Neopost and Pitney Bowes here on Wednesday, DoP Secretary I.M.G. Khan said the system comes with an India-specific solution to ensure fool proof-security of funds and is futuristic in approach.

Inkjet printing

Unlike the older machines fitted with impact printing of franks, the new ones would use digitally controlled inkjet printing technology and print a clear, clean, dynamically bar-coded secure frank that may even be used to offer track and trace by the India Post, said Mr. Khan.

“The term plus in digi frank plus signifies these additional features of the ‘remotely managed franking system’ (RMFS), as the system is technically called. RMFS primarily means that the franking machines (postage meters) based on this system would not be required to be physically carried to the post office for crediting.

The network that India Post is setting up with the help of the franking machine manufacturers, will enable the new technology franking machine user to remotely credit his machine through dial up or any other network while sitting in his office,” said Mr. Khan.

Transaction in seconds

The DoP would set up its own system for electronically receiving fund deposit instructions from the State Bank of India, the designated bank for receiving payments for the franking machine credits. The franking machine users would deposit funds through cash, cheque, draft or Internet banking in any SBI branch across the country. The bank will pass on the details to the India Post server which will authenticate the transactions and instruct the remote servers of the machine providers, he said.

“The users will simply connect their machines to their server through a telephone line and download the required funds from their accounts maintained at the remote servers. The complete transaction will take between 60-90 seconds only. The entire transactions are managed electronically, involving no manual intervention. It is fast, convenient and absolutely secure,” he added.