The Post Office has signed contracts with OneView Commerce and Escher as it steps up its programme to replace the Horizon IT system and modernise technology across its UK branch network.
OneView Commerce, previously named as the Post Office’s preferred supplier, will deliver a new electronic point of sale (EPOS) system for branches.
The company will work with the Post Office and Accenture, which is developing the back-end of the replacement system, to introduce the new EPOS platform. The system is intended to simplify transaction processing and improve operational efficiency and the customer experience.
The Post Office has also signed a separate agreement with Escher, whose Product Journey Engine (PJE) software will form part of the Horizon replacement programme.
The PJE will allow specific transactions to be configured and updated more quickly, enabling new products and services to be added to branches as required.
The contracts form part of the Post Office’s five-year Transformation Plan and the organisation’s wider programme to replace Horizon, the system at the centre of the scandal involving wrongful prosecutions of subpostmasters.
Accenture was previously appointed to undertake a “walk in and take over” exercise for Horizon, assuming day-to-day operational responsibility from Fujitsu, while also developing the back-end of the new system.
Post Office CEO Neil Brocklehurst said replacing Horizon was “one of the most significant changes” being made as part of the organisation’s transformation.
“This is about more than introducing new technology; it is about creating modern, flexible systems that are designed around the needs of customers and the postmasters who serve them,” he said.
He added that the appointment of OneView, Accenture and Escher would enable the Post Office to accelerate the introduction of a new platform that is “simpler to operate behind post office counters”.
OneView Commerce CEO Linda Palanza said the company would bring its experience of retail and digital transformation across postal networks to the project.
“We understand the responsibility that comes with modernising systems that postmasters and customers across the UK rely on every day,” Palanza said.
“We look forward to bringing the power of a modern EPOS platform to Post Office, empowering postmasters to transform their day-to-day operations and deliver services with the transparency and reliability their communities expect.”
Escher CEO Brody Buhler said its PJE software had been used to build journeys for more than 30 postal organisations globally.
“Escher's Product Journey Engine will be configured and tailored to Post Office's unique requirements, putting the design of branch transactions directly in their hands and empowering their teams to configure, test, and quickly deploy new journeys with complete autonomy.” Buhler said
“That means a simpler process behind the counter for postmasters, and new products reaching branches in a fraction of the time.
The Post Office said work was now underway to establish detailed plans, timelines and delivery arrangements for the new technology.
The EPOS system will be configured, tested and introduced in phases to support a controlled transition away from Horizon. The organisation said maintaining continuity and avoiding disruption would be a priority.
There will be no immediate changes to day-to-day operations for customers, postmasters or partners as a result of the latest contracts.