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Today's air transportation network must satisfy national security requirements as well as customer service commitments. Efforts to reduce domestic and international air costs include the prospect of increased use of shared cargo aircraft and commercial aircraft as well as consideration of postal owned point-to-point cargo aircraft.

6. Optimize Business Processes

Beyond mail processing, delivery, and related mail operations, a number of critical business processes in support areas will also benefit from expanded standardization and process improvements. Over the next 5 years, the Postal Service will optimize its business processes to reduce cycle times and provide greater quality performance. The goal is to maximize the value created by all processes, both internally and with partners, suppliers, and mail consolidators. Specifically, the Postal Service will:

• Optimize information technology infrastructure.
• Establish a single shared services organization.
• Broaden supply chain management.
• Dedicate teams to identify major process improvement opportunities.
• Enhance corporate financial responsibility.
• Evaluate opportunities for outsourcing and insourcing.

Optimize Information Technology Infrastructure

Information Technology (IT) is an essential component of all Postal Service business and administrative processes. Under Transformation the Postal Service implemented the Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) initiative, a comprehensive effort to modernize, simplify, and secure its computer infrastructure. Standardizing the IT environment with ACE allows the organization to streamline application management procedures and future system integrations.