Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology in the city of Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region recently got some self-service parcel pickup machines for the convenience of students from Jinlinbao, an express business with the focus on self-help machines to meet the growing demand for safer places to leave parcels when recipient is not able to pick them up.

When the company started the business in Baotou, the universities were their first places in their marketing strategy.

The machines have a screen on the front for instructions and lockers on the side, and the courier just logs the information into the computerized system, including the recipient's phone number, and chooses a locker that fits the parcel size. After the parcel is safely put in the locker, the computer system sends a message with a password to the recipient who can then pick it up simply by entering the password.

Staff members hand out parcels at a self-service parcel pickup station. [Photo/www.nnnews.net]

According to Wang Tao, the manager of Baotou Yunda Express, each machine is equipped with cameras to ensure safety and they help the company save on labor costs and give students more flexibility in picking up parcels.

In commenting on the service, one student says, "The couriers used to drop off parcels at the university gates and there were so many parcels piled up that it was hard to find mine. Now, it's a lot more convenient picking one up from a machine."

Self-service parcel machine at the China University of Mining (Beijing). [Photo provided to China Daily]

People pick up a parcel at a machine in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

Jinlinbao says that it is looking to cooperate with more universities as its next step. At the same time, other companies are looking at cities across China and their market potential, to tap into the express terminal service not just at universities, but in residential areas as well.