Graphic Courier to deliver enhanced services

The Graphic Courier Service (GCS) has been revamped with a partnership with an Indian technology giant, Techmaaxx International Ltd, to offer enhanced and improved services with a touch of technology for its clientele.

The partnership enables Techmaaxx to bring its technology to bear on the operations of the GCS which offers intercity and intra-city services and pick-up delivery services.

The office of the GCS is located within the head office of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL) in Accra, with the company’s regional offices across the country serving as the regional centres.

Inauguration

Present at the inauguration were representatives from the Ministry of Information, some chief executives and prospective clients.

Adding colour were the over 20 smartly dressed dispatch riders who lined up with their motorbikes at the entrance of the company ready to execute the job.

That attracted passers-by, some of whom had to slow down to ask what was going on.

Inaugurating the revamped business, the Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Sugandh Rajaram, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying it was yet another indication of the strong relationship between Ghana and India.

Mr Rajaram commended the GCS for making technology an integral part of the business, stressing that technology was not a disruption but an important agent of development.

He expressed delight that in recruiting the dispatch riders, the company was conscious of the emancipation of women by including ladies in the delivery process.

Enhanced service

Addressing guests at the inauguration of the new Graphic Courier office at its forecourt, the Managing Director of the GCGL, Mr Ato Afful, said the partnership was an opportunity for further enhancement of customer experience, assuring that, “GCS is providing choice, simplicity and convenience to our customers that the GCGL was known for.”

He indicated that the partnership was the outcome of over 18 months’ of negotiations, deliberations and discussion, which was geared towards a collaboration that would keep the business as a market leader.

“The Graphic Courier Service we are launching today is an outcome of this strategy to enable us continue to grow a vibrant and profitable business.

“We are confident that in times of uncertainty, a strong brand marketing strategy with a mid to long-term plan to drive growth is critical for our business,” Mr Afful said.

He was grateful for the partnership, dedication and professional commitment of the Techmaaxx as a technology partner, and intimated that the partner was offering the GCS an enabling technology that would add on new values in the delivery infrastructure.

Technology

Speaking on technology and the print media industry, Mr Afful said the latter was going through a major transformation worldwide, primarily due to the proliferation of the mobile technology, digital and the dissemination of user-generated content on social media and instant messaging.

“News is available on the go, in the palm of readers, so they no longer wait for print publications that carefully curate news and publish it in 24 hours,” he observed.

He said to ensure continued success of the GCGL, “we resolved at a strategic level to innovate and overcome existing obstacles to make it easier for our journalists to deliver the transformative stories we all need as a nation.”

Technology driven

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Techmaaxx, Mr Carl Ahiadzro, said his company was committed to ensuring that the GCS succeeded by pursuing high technology in its operations.

He said the partnership would enable the GCS to offer a wide range of services on the Internet, social media, hotlines and walk-in services at all its regional offices and the head office.

Mr Ahiadzro explained that while the dispatch riders as well as the social media platforms were already operational for clients to take advantage of, the online services using the app would be available in 48 hours.

Innovation

The COO gave an assurance that all goods in transit and the entire operations were insured, thus customers should be rest assured that their goods were secure.

As a further sign of security for goods, Mr Ahiadzro said there was also a tracking system to ensure expedited service and safety in the line of delivery.

He indicated that other innovation in the delivery services included the constant information flow either via SMS or telephone calls and the use of One Time Password (OTP), which ensured that the parcel was delivered to the right person who took delivery of it by providing the OTP.

Clients can also have the opportunity to access the services of the GCS online by downloading the Graphic Courier App either on the mobile Google app or the storePlay app.

The Chief Executive Officer of Techmaaxx, Mr  K.V.S. Nathan, accompanied by Mr Afful conducted the guests round the facility after the inauguration.