THUNDER BAY – BufferBox has been acquired by Google. If you have not heard of the company, based in Waterloo, it might be that like many people you are failing to fully understand the relationship between the world of the Internet, social media, and the ‘real world’. If you make the determination, as millions of people already have that cyberspace is a place, you will be well on the way to better understanding the relationship between the three.
The reported purchase price of $17 million means it is a serious move by Google into an area the company has not previously moved toward. One wonders how long it will be before ‘Google-Mart’ will open on a website near you?
The founders of BufferBox did that, and their skill and idea attracted Google which has just purchased the company.
Billions of dollars are being spent by consumers from the comfort of their homes and offices to purchase the goods they want. In a tight economy, price is a factor. It is part of the reason people will stand for uncounted minutes in line-ups at Walmart. BufferBox recognized that the current delivery model for those packages presented an opportunity.
Embracing the knowledge-based economy and the growing digital world means figuring out how to make positive connections between those worlds. Companies like Google are amazing at figuring out just how to do that.
The search engine and advertising giant also gets it in realizing how to connect the dots.
If millions of people are online shopping, then there are millions of packages that are being delivered.
Google just purchased BufferBox which is a Waterloo Ontario based start-up company with a concept so simple it is amazing no one figured it out before. Rather than have to risk losing your package at your door, or having to sit at home waiting for a delivery, the company offers convenient access to a shipping address. Then they put their colourful BufferBoxes in places that people go.
The shipment goes to BufferBox and you pick it up at your convenience. It is that kind of ‘out of the box’ thinking that attracted Google who have just purchased the company.
Today’s parcel delivery system is outdated – missing package deliveries is crazy! You’re not home during the day, so stop shipping parcels there! Ship them to your closest BufferBox instead! We’re a network of parcel pick-up stations that are conveniently located, allowing you to grab parcels securely and on your schedule!
BufferBox was designed with online shoppers in mind, offering an automated, self-serve parcel pick-up station as a safer and more convenient shipping alternative to home delivery. BufferBox notifies shoppers via email as soon as a parcel is available for pick-up, and provides a unique, one-time PIN code they can use to retrieve their goods from the BufferBox.
“Online shopping can be cost effective and time saving, but today’s outdated and frustrating parcel delivery process can ruin the experience,” said Mike McCauley, co-founder of BufferBox. “Our technology offers people shopping online peace of mind that their parcel is secure and available for anytime pick-up.”
BufferBox is following a European model and seeking transit hubs in major centres as key places for delivery of their packages. The company signed an agreement with Metrolinx in southern Ontario back in October.
With the new relationship with Google, the company now has the fiscal horsepower to expand at a greater rate.
It is an example of how putting creative thinking, and solutions based ideas together in a winning combination.
For more information visit: www.bufferbox.com
