Some 15 long years ago, business gurus advised those who were “in search of excellence” to stick with their knitting. In today’s world of glitz and glamour, that may seem like old-fashioned advice. But it still rings true. It’s a message the U.S. Postal Service should take to heart.

The postal service’s role in today’s e-world is best served when it strives to ensure that Americans get the best possible paper-based communications and package delivery services. Instead of chasing illusory pots of gold at the end of some dot-com rainbow, the USPS should use its technology to improve the quality and affordability of universal mail delivery.

Recently, the Senate subcommittee that has legislative jurisdiction over the postal service held a hearing on the USPS’ e-business and e-commerce initiatives. The testimony the subcommittee heard from the General Accounting Office and the chairman of the Postal Rate Commission was critical of the postal service.

Undoubtedly, some of the USPS’ competitors will have a field day with the GAO report. Indeed, the final word in the hearing was hardly spoken before a United Parcel Service press release began burning the news wires with its biting comments.

There should be no doubt, however, about one aspect of the postal service’s e-business strategy. The USPS needs free rein to use the best available electronic communications technology to build the kind of postal information platform that will help it fulfill its statutory service mandate.

If universal service is to survive, the reliability, timeliness and cost-efficiency of hard-copy message and parcel delivery needs to be improved. Without the ability to use the latest technology to upgrade conventional mail services, the USPS will have little chance to make it.

So go ahead and question, if you wish, whether the USPS should be in the e-mail business or the e-bill payment business. But never question for a second its right — no, its responsibility — to use technology to enhance the services Americans need.

Gene A. Del Polito is president of the Association for Postal Commerce (PostCom) in Arlington, VA.

SOME 15 LONG YEARS AGO, business gurus advised those who were “in search of excellence” to stick with their knitting. In today’s world of glitz and glamour, that may seem like old-fashioned advice. But it still rings true. It’s a message the U.S. Postal Service should take to heart.

The postal service’s role in today’s e-world is best served when it strives to ensure that Americans get the best possible paper-based communications and package delivery services. Instead of chasing illusory pots of gold at the end of some dot-com rainbow, the USPS should use its technology to improve the quality and affordability of universal mail delivery.

Recently, the Senate subcommittee that has legislative jurisdiction over the postal service held a hearing on the USPS’ e-business and e-commerce initiatives. The testimony the subcommittee heard from the General Accounting Office and the chairman of the Postal Rate Commission was critical of the postal service.

Undoubtedly, some of the USPS’ competitors will have a field day with the GAO report. Indeed, the final word in the hearing was hardly spoken before a United Parcel Service press release began burning the news wires with its biting comments.

There should be no doubt, however, about one aspect of the postal service’s e-business strategy. The USPS needs free rein to use the best available electronic communications technology to build the kind of postal information platform that will help it fulfill its statutory service mandate.

If universal service is to survive, the reliability, timeliness and cost-efficiency of hard-copy message and parcel delivery needs to be improved. Without the ability to use the latest technology to upgrade conventional mail services, the USPS will have little chance to make it.

So go ahead and question, if you wish, whether the USPS should be in the e-mail business or the e-bill payment business. But never question for a second its right – no, its responsibility – to use technology to enhance the services Americans need.