Canada Post delivers innovation with next generation of epost

Enhanced security, address authentication enables greater e-government and e-business services

TORONTO, Sept. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada Post is enhancing epost, Canada's digital mailbox, creating a platform that brings greater functionality for Canadians and sets the foundation for delivering enhanced government and business services. The latest iteration of epost offers better design and navigation, enhanced tools to manage bills and an unparallelled authentication process that links digital identity with a user's physical address.

"We believe that epost can play a key role in the growth of Canada's digital economy," says Kerry Munro, Group President of the Digital Delivery Network, Canada Post. "With authentication, epost extends beyond bills and can deliver more sensitive, evidentiary documents that require user and address validation while providing a more secure and efficient e-delivery solution for consumers to communicate with business and government."

The new platform launches in Kitchener Waterloo, a hotbed for innovation and technology, and will signal a series of epost innovations that will roll out nationally into 2013 to offer greater convenience, content, services, safety and security to Canadians, business and government.

Canada Post knows addresses: authentication means Kitchener Waterloo epost users can link their digital identity with their physical address, helping validate their identity. As privacy becomes an increasingly contentious issue online, both government and businesses grapple with how they can provide e-services safely and securely, while protecting Canadians' personal information. Through authentication, Canadians will be able to share more sensitive and secure information with government and business.

Authentication offers a solution to government bodies looking for safe ways to provide e-services to constituents, like license sticker or parking permit renewals, and businesses looking to offer more flexible, secure online transactions. This enables governments and businesses to reduce fraud and costs related to online infrastructure, technology or customer service.

epost is the largest bill consolidation solution in Canada. With over 7.7 million Canadians having registered with epost, and over 100 participating businesses - including 17 municipalities - epost has a robust, safe and secure foundation that allows Canada Post to enhance the scope of services available in the future.

"We understand what Canadians want: fast, easy, safe and secure consolidation of their bills, and other essential documents, that they can manage in one place and pay through their online banking," adds Munro. "Canada Post has been delivering to Canadians' physical doorstep for more than a century and now we are well positioned to enhance delivery to Canadians' digital mailbox."

For Canadians already paying their bills through online banking, but accessing their bills or essential documents via email or having to visit multiple sites with multiple logins and passwords, epost provides one convenient, safe and secure way to manage your household affairs. Personal information stays within Canada's virtual borders, and is not exposed to foreign privacy acts or servers.

About epost
epost is the free digital mailbox that helps busy Canadians simplify their lives by offering one place, one login, one password to manage their household bills and essential documents. Fully integrated with your bank, epost makes it easier than ever before to consolidate and pay your bills. Bank-grade security and a digital safety deposit box protect you and your sensitive information while reminders help you avoid late fees. Over 7.7 million Canadians have registered with epost to stay better organized, and save time and money.

SOURCE: Canada Post