Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 03/98) - Yellowknife Canada Post customers can expect less time in line thanks to a new point of sale system.

The new software and hardware, designed for Canada Post and known as the retail outlet support system (ROSS), tracks everything from inventory to cash.

Until Thursday, the city's postal employees were carrying out these and other operations, like stock counting, manually.

David Craig, the North's acting area manager calls the system a "big change."

The system "allows us to put stock on the floor and move more toward offering retail business to customers," he said.

Previously, things like envelopes and bubble packs were sold from behind the counter.

"We're looking at putting collectibles out front as well."

Craig also said employees received a weekend of training.

Asked why the post office had waited until now to install a point of sale system, Craig said the Yellowknife location was to get the system a year ago but "we're happy we didn't because there were a few bugs that needed to be worked out."

Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 858 President Dale Bouchard said postal workers are pleased with the installation of the new system.

"Right now we're learning the new system. Hopefully in no time at all we'll eliminate lineups" or at least lower waiting time, Bouchard said.

"It's been a long time coming."

Post office worker Jean Andrews said in the short-term, customers may notice some delays as staff adapt to the new system.

But, she added, once everyone's up to speed it will mean shorter lines.

Yellowknife, with 40 other Canadian locations, went on line with ROSS Thursday.

The system is scheduled to be up and running in Hay River and Iqaluit June 10 and June 18 respectively.