Retail Operations

Retail Operations Time Line

Task		Responsibility	Time Line
Task		Responsibility	Start	Complete
1	Maintain contact with rate implementation coordinator for information- material updates and guidance.	Manager, Retail	Ongoing
2	Develop contingency plan to address additional lobby traffic.	Manager, Retail	3/14/2007	5/14/2007
3	SDO — Prepare and ship price-related stock.	SDO, Retail	3/8/2007	5/14/2007
4	Upon receiving stock, verify for accuracy. Immediately notify SDO if quantity is not sufficient. Follow normal accounting procedures as described in Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	3/8/2007
5	Issue Forever Stamp™ stock to retail employees and other retail channels immediately upon receipt.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	4/6/2007
6	Issue stamp stock to retail employees and other retail channels immediately upon receipt.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	TBD
7	Rate-case train the trainer.	Retail, Area	3/27/2007	3/28/2007
8	Conduct training for the retail-unit employees with the rate-case training material to ensure employees can comply with the new prices and products.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	4/1/2007
9	Ensure all retail-unit employees are prepared to handle issues regarding new prices. Deliver rate change stand-up talks so retail employees are aware of price changes and how to communicate changes to customers.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	4/1/2007
10	Ensure that Contract Postal Units (CPUs) and Community Post Offices (CPOs) staff are knowledgeable about the new prices and are prepared to address customer concerns.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	3/30/2007
11	Ensure CPUs, CPOs, Post Offices™, and retail units receive price charts, posters, brochures, manuals, and publications as applicable.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	4/30/2007
12	Ensure pre-rate change lobby poster featuring the Forever Stamp is received and placed in the lobby.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	3/26/2007
13	Ensure rate signage is installed on menu boards and parcel slides in all offices and postal stores.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	Week of April 29, 2007
14	Ensure all APCs, IRTs (including those at CPUs), electronic scales, and RAMM 60s for CPUs are updated with new prices.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	5/2/2007
15	Ensure POS system is properly closed out to receive download of new software and data files.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	5/12/2007 or 5/13/2007
16	Ensure new rate information is displayed in customer lobbies and old price information is removed and disposed of.	Postmasters, Station/Branch Managers	5/12/2007 or 5/13/2007	5/14/2007

Approved Shippers Time Line

Task		Responsibility	Time Line
Task		Responsibility	Start	Complete
1	Software updates — USPS-approved shippers use postage meters to dispense postage. The postage vendors will automatically update this.	Postage vendors
2	Stamps — Approved shippers buy stamps from www.usps.com or their local Post Office. The Forever Stamp™ will go on sale April 12, 2007.	Approved shippers	4/16/2007	Ongoing
3	Communications — Newsletter	AMPC	4/16/2007	4/20/2007
4	Field Guide	HQ Retail Access Channels	2/12/2007	5/14/2007
5	The USPS Approved Shipper Product Guide will need to be updated.	HQ Retail Access Channels	1/11/2007	5/14/2007
6	USPS-approved shipper signage will need to be updated.	HQ Retail Access Channels	3/12/2007	5/14/2007

APC Time Line

Task		Responsibility	Time Line
Task		Responsibility	Start	Complete
1	Software updates — Programming must be done. There will be an automatic download of software prior to the rate case that is packaged in a wrapper. It will be activated the day before or the day of the rate case.	Raleigh ITEA	10/3/2006	4/27/2007
2	Post Activity — Clean up sites that did not get the software download.	Raleigh ITEA	4/21/2007	4/27/2007
3	Data Updates — Files developed by USPS will be distributed but not activated until the date of the price change.	Raleigh ITEA	4/21/2007	4/27/2007
4	Stamps — Offices will receive new stamps to support the price changes.	SDO	TBD	5/14/2007

Contract Postal Unit Time Line

Task		Responsibility	Time Line
Task		Responsibility	Start	Complete
1	Software updates — A chip will be sent to RAMM 60 sites. IRTs will get updates from their local Post Office. Meters will be updated by the manufacturer or vendor.	Vendors/Local Post Offices	11/1/2006	5/1/2007
2	Stamps — RAMM 60 sites need to order stamps. Other sites (meters and IRT) will receive stamps from the SDO.	ABN/SDO	11/1/2006	4/1/2007
3	Communications — Instruction on chip install will be provided with chip. Updated poster will be provided to all sites and updated menu boards to PB sites. There is separate training for RAMM 60 sites. Other CPU locations should be trained through their local Post Office. The Web site will be updated as necessary.	Retail/Vendors/Local Post Offices	11/1/2006	5/1/2007

IRT Time Line

Task		Responsibility	Time Line
Task		Responsibility	Start	Complete
1	Receive Forever Stamp™ update diskettes v66 release notes/installation instructions for IRTs in bulk via Express Mail service.	IRT Coordinator	3/22/2007	3/22/2007
2	Contact the IRT hotline at 800-247-6478 if an insufficient quantity or no diskettes are received by the expected date.	IRT Coordinator	3/23/2007	3/23/2007
3	Mail IRT Forever Stamp™ v66 software and information to IRT sites, including CPUs, immediately after they are received.	IRT Coordinator	3/23/2007
4	Contact the district IRT coordinator by telephone and/or e-mail if no disk is received.	IRT Coordinator	3/28/2007	3/28/2007
5	Install update disk before opening for business on April 1 or next day of business.	IRT Coordinator	4/1/2007	4/1/2007
6	Receive rate-change diskettes v67 and release notes/installation instructions for IRTs in bulk via Express Mail service.	IRT Coordinator	4/23/2007	4/23/2007
7	Contact the IRT hotline at 800-247-6478 if an insufficient quantity or no diskettes are received by the expected date.	IRT Coordinator	4/24/2007	4/24/2007
8	Mail IRT rate change software and information to IRT sites, including CPUs, immediately after expected date.	IRT Coordinator	4/25/2007	3/27/2007
9	Contact the district IRT coordinator by telephone and/or e-mail if no disk is received.	Postmaster of IRT Office	5/1/2007	5/1/2007
10	Install update disk before opening for business on the first day of the price change. Install on IRTs by following instructions.	Postmaster of IRT Office	5/5/2007	5/14/2007
11	If update disk is found to be faulty at the last minute, do not wait for a new disk to be mailed. Borrow an update disk from a neighboring retail unit.	Postmaster of IRT Office	ASAP

POS Time Line

Task		Responsibility	Time Line
Task		Responsibility	Start	Complete
1	Software updates — Programming must be done. There will be an automatic download of software that is packaged in a wrapper prior to the rate case. It will be activated the day before or the day of the rate case.	Raleigh ITEA	4/17/2007	5/7/2007
2	Post activity — Clean up sites that did not get the software download.	Raleigh ITEA	4/18/2007	5/7/2007
3	Data updates — Files developed by USPS will be distributed but not activated until the date of the price change.	Raleigh ITEA	5/2/2007	5/14/2007
4	Stamps — Offices will receive new stamps to support the rate case. The Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp revaluation process is instructed in this issue of the Postal Bulletin for the rate case on May 14, 2007.	SDO	TBD	5/14/2007
5	Communications — A Functionality Guide will be distributed electronically 2 weeks prior to the software release.	Retail Operations	4/1/2007	5/14/2007
6	Rate case training.	Retail Operations	4/1/2007	4/21/2007

RAMM 60 Time Line

Task		Responsibility	Time Line
Task		Responsibility	Start	Complete
1	Software updates — Chip will be sent to RAMM 60 sites.	HQ Retail Access Channels	11/1/2006	5/1/2007
2	Stamps — RAMM 60 sites need to order stamps.	RAMM 60 Sites	11/1/2006	Ongoing
3	Communications — Instruction on chip install will be provided with chip. Updated poster will be provided to all sites and updated menu boards to PB sites. RAMM 60 sites will have specific training for their locations that needs to be provided by the local Post Office.	HQ Retail Access Channels	11/1/2006	5/1/2007

Lobby Scale Upgrade Information

Individual offices will be responsible for updating their scales in Post Offices™. Headquarters (HQ) will not be coordinating any support for scales. Contact your specific scale manufacturer for instructions on entering new price information.

Mechanical Scales (Fan Scales)

Smaller Post Offices and some retail units use small fan scales (12 oz., 16 oz., and 2 lb.) at the retail counter. HQ will not be purchasing price charts for these scales. HQ is replacing the obsolete 70 lb. Triner fan scales in identified offices. These offices will be receiving a Pitney Bowes electronic scale with a FY 2007 rate chip at the beginning of May from the vendor. For a list of offices receiving the electronic scale go to the Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/delret/L4RetSrvEqp_Vending.htm; under “Projects,” click on Electronic Scales.

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