Postal News YOU Can Use
Gordon Glazer, CMDSM, CMDSS, MQC
President San Diego Postal & Shipping Equipment
I hope to see you at our Open House where we will be showcasing the new Hasler and Neopost 3rd generation digital mailing systems, they are easier to use and pack more features into smaller sized office machines. See the latest in Folding/Inserting and Addressing Technology. We will have factory reps and USPS reps on hand to help answer questions and do presentations.
Postal News YOU can use! Just got back from Mailcom in Atlantic City and there are some important developments you may be interested in:
Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB): The deadline for mandatory implementation has been delayed until May 2009 to give mailers more time to comply. It will go into effect with the 2009 rate change and the USPS is going to allow the continued use of the DPBC until 2010 although this may involve a reduced discount. We should learn more about the discounts later this summer.
There are going to be two levels of IMB compliance: Full Service and Basic.
At this point we know that Full Service IMB will offer additional discounts and is the first step towards the Post Office’s drive towards “Seamless Acceptance”. In a nutshell, Seamless Acceptance will enable the “Full Service” mailer to submit mailings without going thru the normal verification processes. These high quality mailers will send their documentation electronically and will include Address Correction in the unique IMB that will be on both the mail pieces, trays and containers. This “Nesting” of information will allow for better tracking, tracing and delivery measurements. This is a huge issue for the USPS to improve and better track its delivery performance to comply with the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA).
The Basic IMB will be designed for the more casual mailer that does not wish to comply with all the new initiatives, yet still wishes to automate their mail. They can still utilize the “One Code Confirm” or “One Code ACS.”.
So what’s in this new barcode? – you might be asking yourself.
The IMB contains the Barcode ID (presort info, optional Endorsement Line) the Service Type ID (Mail Class and Special Service) the Mailer ID (unique 6 or 9 digit #), Serial Number (identifies the Mailpiece or Mailing) and the Routing Code (normal destination zip code).
Wow that is a lot for the average mailer to absorb, that’s ok, we have some time. You can start using it now if you want. The advantage of all the extra room on the mail piece alone is worth the effort, plus it will make your mail look high tech.
The Deadline for Move Update is getting closer (November 23rd) and there was a lot of discussions on ways to achieve this new requirement for Standard Mail. One of the easiest ways is to use Satori Software “NCOA-Link” option to update the personalized portion of your address database. It catches moves up to 48 months ago without the need to wait or export and avoids the need import the corrected data back.
It was a busy week and I listened to a lot of presentations from the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), Postal Executives and Industry leaders. What impressed me most was how open the information flow between the new PRC and USPS as they conform to the new rules under the PAEA. Very refreshing and very different from the past. All of these new initiatives will help to improve the quality of the mail, reduce waste (both materials and time) and thereby reducing the need to increase prices.
- Gordon Glazer CMDSM, CMDSS, MQC is a nationally recognized speaker and industry expert and is President of San Diego Postal & Shipping Equipment the oldest and largest independent dealer of mailing equipment servicing San Diego County mail centers reliably since 1986
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