Purolator Courier and Federal Express staged a hard-fought battle last month to be first to market with new shipping software designed for small to medium-sized businesses.
Although Federal Express was the first to announce its FedEx Ship product, Purolator will have Purolink into the hands of customers first.
No firm date has been set for the spring launch of FedEx Ship but Purolink is available now, free of charge.
It will be delivered to customers by courier and will also be downloadable from Purolator’s Web site (www.purolator.com), beginning April 22.
A print, television and outdoor advertising campaign to support the product gets underway April 1. Creative is by Bensimon-Byrne, with media placement by Harrison Young Pesonen & Newell, both of Toronto.
To operate Purolink, all that’s needed is a Windows-based personal computer, a modem and a laser or inkjet printer.
The software helps in the preparation and pricing of shipments. It also prints labels, requests courier pick-ups, orders supplies and tracks packages anywhere in the world; virtually every aspect of a shipment is addressed except physical transport.
Purolink was designed and developed in Canada for Purolator which is 75%-owned by Canada Post with its remaining shares held by onex (20%) and the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement Board (5%).
FedEx Ship has been available in the u.s. for some time, but its launch was delayed in Canada because of differences in the two countries’ postal code systems.
When released in Canada, Ship will have a number of additional features that the u.s. version does not.
Orders for the software can be placed by calling the FedEx 1-800 number.
Like Purolink, FedEx Ship operates on a Windows-based pc and allow users to get rate quotes, print labels, invoices and receipts, request courier pick-ups and track packages.
FedEx Ship will also maintain a customer database and a history of all shipments, and provide access to toll-free technical support and e-mail communication.
Advertising for FedEx Ship will come from BBDO Canada.
Media plans have not yet been confirmed.
