4. Aggressively Pursue Total Mail Visibility
With the introduction of Intelligent Mail (IM) barcodes for mailpieces and containers, the Postal Service and customers have taken the next critical step in automation. The new IM barcode contains triple the information of previous barcodes. The additional information provides a unique identification code for each mailpiece and container so that individual mailpieces can be tracked at all steps in the process — from creation by the mailer and deposit with the Postal Service, through various stages of transportation and processing, up to the point of delivery. This total mail visibility is a key to improving service, reducing costs, and adding value to mail.
For many businesses, information about the mail is as important as the mailpiece itself. The ability to track mail through the postal network supports applications that have become critical parts of how they use mail to manage communications with their customers. Businesses track when mailings are going to arrive in order to coordinate other marketing efforts or staff call centers. They track courtesy reply envelopes coming back from customers to know when orders are mailed and payments will be received.
The chart on the following page illustrates the six major steps in the value chain of a typical large commercial mailing. Total mail visibility will add important new value at each step.
Visibility Infrastructure
The conduit for transmitting operating and mail tracking data is a local area network backbone that connects all mail processing equipment. The upgrading of the local area network was completed ahead of schedule in 2007. In 2008, the passive scanning of letters, cards, and flats will be enabled throughout the postal automation network.
As with the progress on letter and flat mail visibility, the infrastructure to provide package visibility is also coming into place. Shipment Confirmation Acceptance Notice procedures were initiated in 2006 to provide “start the clock” scans and enhance visibility for carrier pickup mail. The Automated Postal Center, Click-N-Ship, and mailer applications were enhanced to use Intelligent Mail barcodes. Barcode scans provide “start the clock” data at retail and other entry points and “stop the clock” data upon delivery. Upgrades to Automated Package Processing Systems and Small Parcel and Bundle Sorter Systems enabled passive package scans. The process to transition to full package visibility is expected with the goal of having a barcode on every package.
Encourage Intelligent Mail Barcodes on Pieces and Containers Before 2009
Total mail visibility depends on IM barcodes applied not only to individual mailpieces but also to containers. Linking container and mailpiece barcodes enables tracking. Both mailers and postal managers can use a new Web-based system to produce IM container labels that provide routing information to identify each tray, sack, tub, or pallet. The labels track unit loads as they enter the postal system and throughout operations.
IM barcode usage is growing. Mailers can use IM barcodes to qualify for automation discounts and for IM services, including OneCode CONFIRM and OneCode ACS. By the end of 2007, there were IM barcodes on more than 530 million mailpieces and outreach with customers continues. More than 200 Postal Customer Councils have conducted IM workshops for more than 13,000 mailers. Simplified mail acceptance processes using IM barcodes and electronic documentation are being tested with First-Class Mail and Standard Mail customers. IM barcodes are giving mailers better data regarding addresses that are no longer current and barcodes that do not pass delivery point validation tests. This information allows mailers to clean up address files and barcode print quality. Pilot testing is providing information about what mailers must do to convert.