|
This Communications Plan is for Post OfficesTM that
order expedited packaging supplies through eBuy.
Background
The Postal ServiceTM provides expedited packaging
supplies for Express Mail® and Priority Mail® services.
These premier services promote the Postal Service brand,
position our services against those of our competitors, justify price, and motivate customer choice at retail counters.
Expedited packaging delivers a benefit to the customer and
provides value. The packaging program is an important
Postal Service marketing tool. Equally important is controlling the cost of using the tool.
Using eBuy to Order Expedited Package
Supplies
Post Offices can order expedited package supplies by
telephone, fax, or mail through the Express and Priority
Mail Supply Center (E&PMSC) in Indianapolis, Indiana.
In addition, Post Offices can order expedited package
supplies through an eBuy catalog. By using eBuy, we are
able to better control supplies and reduce fulfillment center
costs.
Benefits of Using eBuy
Some benefits of using eBuy for ordering expedited
package supplies include the following:
• Maintaining lower operating and administrative costs
through automation of the ordering process.
• Reducing the cost for services through the fulfillment
center.
• Improving control over contract spending.
• Providing shorter approval and fulfillment cycles.
• Improving purchase control.
An electronic data interchange process, eBuy should be
your first choice of ordering expedited package supplies.
The operational benefits and financial gains are substantial, and they support the strategies of the Postal Service
Transformation Plan.
Internal Audiences
The following are the recipients of the information:
• Managers, postmasters, supervisors.
• Retail employees.
Messages
eBuy, which was developed as a tool for Post Offices to
practice supply chain management (SCM), helps the Postal
Service to stay competitive and achieve breakthrough
productivity.
eBuy is reliable, easy to use, and provides automated
reconciliations that help to improve internal controls over
orders.
eBuy provides employees with Web access to a fully integrated electronic requisitioning, approval workflow, automated invoice certification, and reconciliation report
process.
Internal Communication Vehicles
The following are the means of communicating the
information:
• Postal Bulletin.
• Frequently asked questions.
• "Let's Talk Retail."
Exhibit A lists the expedited package supplies that a
Post Office can order through eBuy.
Use Current eBuy Instructions to Order
Expedited Package Supplies
Use the following steps when placing orders for expedited package supplies:
1. Before placing an order, you must have a valid Federal Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures
Number (FEDSTRIP #) and ensure that locally established ordering procedures have been followed. Your
finance number will not be charged.
2. The cost of these supplies is a Headquarters expense. When orders are through eBuy, management
approvals are automated. When you submit your requirement(s), eBuy automatically generates an approval request to the first approver in your approval
chain. If additional approval is necessary, eBuy will
generate approval requests to each subsequent approver in your approval chain. eBuy provides the requester with status updates. Requesters should
review the updates to ensure that requests have
been approved, forwarded to the supplier for fulfillment, acknowledged by the supplier, and shipped by
the supplier.
3. Postal Service facilities may order only the products
available in the catalog. If a Postal Service facility attempts to order expedited package supplies that are
neither in the available quantity nor in available style,
the order will automatically cancel. Postal Service facilities will not be notified of the cancellation.
4. To obtain or make a change (such as address) to a
FEDSTRIP, contact your material management specialist who will submit a request to the Material Distribution Center (MDC) Customer Service. Making
the change can take up to 5 days. Ensure that your
FEDSTRIP information is correct.
5. Once the approval process is completed, the delivery
of the supplies should be within 5 to 10 business
days via Parcel Post® service (except Saturday,
Sunday, and holidays). Orders will be delivered to the
address associated with the requiring office's assigned FEDSTRIP number.
Direct all questions about the eBuy system to the eBuy
Help Desk at 800-USPS-HELP (press option 1, option 2,
and option 8). Offices without Internet access can order expedited package supplies through the MDC. Orders may be
submitted by touch tone order entry. To order, call
800-332-0317, option 1 and then option 2.
Note: You must register to use TTOE. To register, call
800-332-0317, option 1, extension 2925, and follow the
prompts to leave a message. Wait 48 hours after registering to place your first order.
— Product Development,
Marketing, 2-16-06 |
