Postal strikes 'could benefit online firms'

The current Royal Mail workers' strike action could have benefits for companies with an online presence, it has been suggested.

In comments which may interest firms using shared hosting, IT PRO technology editor Benny Har-Even said firms are likely to turn to the internet for business if they are unable to send post by traditional means.

He stated: "I would imagine that if the Royal Mail is proving unreliable, businesses and companies are going to start looking for alternatives, and technology can play a role in that."

There are "definitely other possibilities" for firms if the Royal Mail strikes continue, Mr Har-Even suggested.

Speaking in the House of Lords last week, business secretary Lord Mandelson claimed the postal service needs to modernise to reflect growing text, email and direct debit use.

He claimed it is impossible to stop the expansion of the internet, which itself cannot be halted by industrial action.

Written by Chris Ball