Swiitch Software streamlines training for Australia Post

1. Case Study
Swiitch Software streamlines training for
Australia Post
Video Coding Machine Simulator
www.auspost.com.au Business needs addressed
Industry Postal and Courier Services • Reduce time spent on training
Founded 1901 • Avoid high number of applicant dropouts
Headquaters Melbourne, Australia • Custom software developed
AUSTRALIA POST IS ONE OF THE NATION’S LARGEST
COMMUNICATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION BUSINESSES, In the current year Australia Post
WITH OVER 4,450+ POSTAL OUTLETS ACROSS handled 5.6 billion mail items, which is
1.6 percent higher than the last year
AUSTRALIA. and poised to grow year-on-year. With
this extent of service the job is
Australia Post is focused on “Connecting People Everyday” by providing undoubtedly challenging.
dedicated services to domestic businesses, communities and everyday people
to help them communicate with each other and with the rest of the world. Australia Post required that the time
spent on training is to be reduced by
Australia Post has three central business areas: delivering letters, operating retail 50% and avoid the high number of
outlets, and handling parcels. It serves the nation with countrywide services that applicant dropouts, which have
consistently deliver mails to almost 10.5 million Australian addresses. previously caused a loss in time and
revenue.
Swiitch Software has developed the
Video Coding Machine simulator by
working closely with Australia Post and
its trainers. Swiitch’s solution eliminated
100% of all applicants dropping out
and reduced time spent on training by
ten working days saving Australia Post
80 hours of training per session.
Within the first year the Video Coding
“We are impressed by the application and the positive impact on our business, Machine simulator has been distributed
thanks to Swiitch for the effort that has gone into making this a success.” to more than 100 applicants.
David Nguyen
Video Coding Facility Manager, Australia Post
BUSINESS SOFTWARE & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS www.swiitch.com

2. CHALLENGE
In the current year Australia Post handled 5.6 billion mail items, which is 1.6
Swiitch Software specialises in percent higher than the last year and poised to grow year-on-year. With this
providing custom software extent of service the job is undoubtedly challenging.
development and outsourced
technology management solutions Seasonally Australia Post employs approximately 160 data entry Operators in
to business clients Australia-wide. their Video Coding Facility, regionally located across Australia.
Services include online product
development, custom business In each regional video coding centre, video coding machines are grouped
solutions, consulting and project into suites of approximately 100 computers. When an address cannot be
management. Swiitch Software is read by the Multi Line Optical Character Reader, it is transferred electronically
a Microsoft Certified Partner. to the screen of a Video Coding machine.
An operator reads the address and makes the appropriate corrections that
allow it to be sorted electronically. This helps eliminate any interruptions
to the electronic sorting process, meaning that mail moves through more
quickly and efficiently.
This job demands a high level of accuracy, and the Data Entry Operators are
expected to enter 10,000 alphanumeric keystrokes per hour with an
accuracy level of 98%. For this to happen, an employee should have the
highest level of hand-to-eye coordination and the aptitude to carry out
repetitive hand movements while maintaining the accuracy. All employees
should have very proficient “touch” typing skills to succeed in the operations.
Australia Post organises extensive training spanning approximately 160 hours
or four weeks for the new applicants. The course includes Induction, OH&S,
and usages of video coding system (both theory and practical application).
Trainees must pass three specified test sets with 98% accuracy that will
have canned images with a coding rate of a minimum 550 images per hour,
to progress into live coding job.
The job needs continuous sustenance of the skills, meeting the conduct,
meticulousness, and efficiency. As a result of the stringent test procedures,
it was observed that many applicants left the course unattended halfway
through causing a loss to the department in terms of time and money in
conducting the training. To solve this problem a real-time video coding
machine simulator was designed by Swiitch Software to reduce the
Our solutions include necessity time spent on the physical classroom-styled training.
Product Development
Business Systems
Consulting
Software as a Service
Contact Swiitch
Swiitch Pty Limited
79-81 Beaconsfield St
Silverwater NSW 2128
Australia
P: (02) 8002 0072
F: (02) 8002 0073
E: info@swiitch.com

3. SOLUTION
Swiitch Software, the leading provider in customised software development
Swiitch Software specialises in has built a real-time video coding machine simulator. This simulates the
providing custom software modules of the actual video coding machine used by Australia Post, making
development and outsourced Australia Post become more productive and allowing them to concentrate on
technology management solutions their core business.
to business clients Australia-wide.
Services include online product Swiitch Software developed three unique application modules: user module,
development, custom business user test module and administrator module.
solutions, consulting and project
management. Swiitch Software is The user modules are provided to be interactive and user-friendly so that just
a Microsoft Certified Partner. about anyone will be able to install the program onto their home computer.
The instructions and step-by-step guidelines provided are easy to
understand and follow.
All the features and their functionalities work precisely the way the actual
video coder would function. This provides an applicant with actual training
and eliminating any possible confusion. The applicant should be able to
provide an accuracy level of 98%. This can be very easily verified with the
module statistical data screen, where the applicant can view the accuracy
level instantly and work on it to improve the score. Once the desired level of
accuracy is achieved by the applicant, the applicant can apply for a live test
conducted by Australia Post at Australia Post Video Coding Facility. Results
are evaluated by the authorities and if found to be satisfactory, the applicant
is employed for the job.
THE TECHNOGOLY
To ensure the program was flexible and scalable for future growth, Swiitch
Software used industry standard technologies, provided by Microsoft to
develop the product.
Application Type: Training Simulator
Platform: Microsoft Windows
Language: C#
Framework: Microsoft .NET 2.0
Our solutions include While developing the simulator, Swiitch Software ensured complete
consistency in the training content. It has been designed to be user friendly
Product Development and offered an increased flexibility for the applicant who can now take the
Business Systems training at his or her own pace.
Consulting
Software as a Service
IMPLEMENTATION
Video Coding Machine simulator developed by Swiitch Software is currently
being adopted by Australia Post: Blacktown Video Coding facilities and
distributed to over 100 applicants within the first year. The department simply
hands over the CD to their job recruitment agencies from where future
Contact Swiitch employees can obtain copies and train themself before applying for a live
test at Australia Post. Owing to its rate of success and effectiveness the
Swiitch Pty Limited software is considered for distribution throughout regional Video coding
79-81 Beaconsfield St facility across Australia, later this year.
Silverwater NSW 2128
Australia
P: (02) 8002 0072
F: (02) 8002 0073
E: info@swiitch.com

4. BENEFITS
Swiitch Software has developed the Video Coding Machine simulator by
Swiitch Software specialises in working closely with Australia Post and its trainers. Australia Post required
providing custom software that the time spent on training is to be reduced by 50% and avoid the high
development and outsourced number of applicant dropouts, which have previously caused a loss in time
technology management solutions and revenue. Swiitch’s solution eliminated 100% of all applicants dropping
to business clients Australia-wide. out and reduced time spent on training by ten working days saving Australia
Services include online product Post 80 hours of training per session.
development, custom business
solutions, consulting and project This example ideally showcases the power of customised software
management. Swiitch Software is developed by Swiitch Software that makes day-to-day management tasks
a Microsoft Certified Partner. easy and simple whilst offering greater efficiency, and increased revenue.
“We are impressed by the application and the positive impact on our
business, thanks to Swiitch for the effort that has gone into making this a
success.”
David Nguyen
Video Coding Facility Manager, Australia Post
CONTACT SWIITCH SOFTWARE
Swiitch Software specialises in providing custom software development and
outsourced technology management solutions to business clients
Australia-wide. Services include online product development, custom
business solutions, consulting and project management. Swiitch Software is
a Microsoft Certified Partner.
For more information on the technologies used in this project, or
Swiitch services, email info@swiitch.com, telephone (02) 800 200 72 or visit
www.swiitch.com
Our solutions include
Product Development
Business Systems
Consulting
Software as a Service
Contact Swiitch
Swiitch Pty Limited
79-81 Beaconsfield St
Silverwater NSW 2128
Australia
P: (02) 8002 0072
F: (02) 8002 0073
E: info@swiitch.com