The Network Components

i. The Station:
ii. The Server(Network)
iii. The Recipient / Retrieval Page

Functions

i. The Station:
These are essentially terminals with which customers can interact and compose custom ePostcards. They also accept credit and debit cards instead of cash. Stations are always wall- mounted and connected to a high speed internet connection.

ii. The Server(Network):
This is actually a network of connected servers which ultimately control the flow of traffic between the stations and the mail recipients. Plus, servers convey credit card information over very secure encrypted channels. The stations are never independent or on their own, they are in constant communication with the server network.This so every time a user takes their own pictures, videos, and credit card information.. this is uploaded to the servers and sent along. This frees up the station to keep working and allow s the servers to work in the background to send out the mail to the ultimate recipients.

The technology doesn’t quite end there though, as the recipient and the user (when he/ she returns home) may choose additional services from the EPC web-site ‘store’ called, ‘The Hard-Copy Café’ This on-line store allows individuals to order additional hard-copies of their postcards, as well as personalized items such as mugs, T-shirts and other gifts from a specific location visited

iii. The Recipient / Retrieval Page:
This is essentially a page on a web-browser which allows the mail recipient to view the epostcard, video/audio, messages, etc. This is sent out to the recipient’s email address, where upon being clicked, it takes them to a custom postcard page with the recorded postcard info on it.
With the processing of the outgoing server mail, the recipient receives a server notice telling them they have received an ePostcard from their friend/family/contact. (The link will use the names information input by the user themselves).
The link will have a pleasant graphic incorporated in the link message. All the recipient has to do is click on link, and this will take one directly to server/postcard, where their postcard is waiting.
*(Alternatively, the recipient can also simply go to the ePostcard website (ePostcardXpress™.com) and key in their postcard ‘pickup code’ manually. This code is found in the link as well.
The server then brings up a custom viewing/retrieval page of the location where the epostcard was sent from.