The USPS recently published proposed new standards for new for Priority Mail Open and Distribute service. Currently mailers may use the electronic option for Delivery Confirmation service on Priority Mail Open and Distribute containers at no additional cost. The USPS proposal would make this optional extra service a requirement.

Get on board and take advantage of this program right now, and be ready when the electronic delivery option becomes a requirement, by using our Postal Package Partner software.

Priority Mail Open and Distribute provide alternatives for mailers who want to expedite mailings of other classes of mail to destination postal facilities. Mailers prepare the mailings according to standards for the enclosed class of mail, enclose the mail in containers for expedited service as Priority Mail Open and Distribute, and present the mailings to a postal acceptance unit by the critical entry time for USPS shipment. Mailers may use Priority Mail Open and Distribute for all or part of their mailings.

All Priority Mail Open and Distribute containers receive expeditious handling and transportation.

Using Delivery Confirmation helps the Postal Service to monitor these mailings, and communicate the delivery status of each container to mailers.

Standard and Advanced Postal Package Partner versions support the USPS Priority Mail Open and Distribute program. Contact your Postal Specialist to upgrade, order, or learn more!

Best wishes,
Lisa

I will be in Washington DC the last week of July, July 30-August 3, attending the Fall Mailers Technical Advisory Committee Meetings at Postal Headquarters.  Customers, prospects, and USPS folks interested in meeting with me, please drop me a note so we can schedule an appointment.  Customers with any mailing issues or questions that they would like investigated during this time, do not hesitate to drop me a note or give me a call. 

I’ll be reporting back on any news and trends that come out of the meetings, so check back.
Best wishes,
Lisa

Clients and prospects attending the Group 1 User Conference, be sure to stop by our booth and see me!  It is always a pleasure to meet up with folks face to face, especially in these electronic communication times.  I will be around both days, I plan to attend a couple of the educational sessions on Wednesday, but would be happy to schedule time with anyone who wants to chat.  I will have the latest versions of our software, if you have any Mail.dat file samples you would like to see processed, please be sure to bring them along. 

See you in Boston,
Lisa

Two items of note from today’s PCC Insider, regarding the USPS FAST (Facility Access and Shipment Tracking) drop ship appointment system. Feel free to contact me directly with any questions regarding these initiatives…

Making Appointed Rounds

Mailer Rating is being pilot tested as part of FAST

The Postal Service has launched a pilot program to improve the drop shipment process for Standard Mail and Package Services customers. It’s called Mailer Rating, part of the Facility Access and Shipment Tracking (FAST) system. Mailer Rating currently is being used at the following facilities:

• Cedar Rapids Plant, Cedar Rapids, IA
• Des Moines Bulk Mail Center, Des Moines, IA
• Industry Plant, Industry, CA
• Queens Plant, Flushing, NY
• New York Plant, New York, NY

Mailers making drop shipments at any of the above pilot facilities should be aware that appointment availability is now based on the Mailer Rating tier system.

Mailer Rating offers the most efficient drop shipment customers a greater opportunity to schedule appointments. Mailers who provide advance notification and arrive at the scheduled date and time with accurate contents will have more access to appointments than mailers who do not.

Mailer Rating applies to all Standard Mail and Package Services. Pure Periodicals appointments are not rated.
Questions or concerns about the Mailer Rating pilot should be directed to fast@usps.com.

All Periodicals mailers will be required to schedule appointments in FAST beginning Sept. 4. Recurring appointment requests should be submitted by July 31. You must register for FAST through PostalOne! to obtain corporate and scheduler IDs. A scheduler ID is required to make an appointment.
For more information on registration and training, go to https://fast.usps.com. Without logging in, you can click Resources, then Reference Documents. Job aids and training are available for download. Send an e-mail to fastperiodicals@usps.com to be added to our mailing list.

From thFrom the DMM Advisory newsletter yesterday, the new Periodicals Domestic Mail Manual revisions will be posted on Sunday. Periodicals preparation and pricing changes also take effect this Sunday.

Be sure to download and update your DAT-MAIL and Post Master software in order to access the new rates, statements, and reports required for Periodical Mailing. Next week will be an extemely busy one, be sure to use the trouble ticket support system when requesting tech support help – it will make things easier and go more smoothly for everyone.

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The new Periodicals mailing standards effective on July 15, as well as all DMM revisions announced in the June 7, June 21, and July 5 Postal Bulletin will be available in the DMM on Postal Explorer (pe.usps.com) on Sunday. We’ll also send a DMM Advisory early next week providing a summary of those changes.

Along with our previously published electronic tools to help you prepare for the new Periodicals prices, we have posted on usps.com/ratecase the new 707 Series Periodicals Mail Quick Service Guides.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your local Post Office.

This request came over via Postcom, any BPM mailers who would like to have input into future USPS BPM policy should contact Kathy at the email address listed below…

MTAC Workgroup 114, Establish Service Standards and Measurement, is seeking input from mailers of Bound Printed Matter (BPM) flats on the workgroup’s tentative recommendations for service standards. Under the proposal, BPM flats would have the same service standards as Standard Mail (both letters and flats). Some BPM flats mailers are needed to briefly review the proposal and provide feedback to the subgroup as to whether the proposed standards meet their business needs.

Any BPM flats mailers interested in reviewing the proposed service standards and providing feedback should contact Kathy Siviter (kathys@postalconsulting.com) as soon as possible.

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Best wishes to all for a great week!

Lisa

New Beta versions of DAT-MAIL and Post Master containing the new 7/15/07 Periodical rates have been posted to the downloads page.  Rates and forms used are triggered by the statement (mailing) date used, as per usual.  The new Periodical rates are very complex, and contain numous changes and additions (such as the container charges).  Be sure to get updated and familiarize yourself with the new statements and reports.

Best wishes,
Lisa

PS -

Also,

From today’s DMM Advisory, regarding guidelines on the transition period just before and after the July 15th implementation date for new Periodical rates:

In some cases Periodicals Outside-County mailings may be prepared using pre-July 15 software but entered on or after July 15, resulting in discrepancies in presort and reporting. Mailers may enter these mailings with the following discrepancies until July 29:

1. Periodicals documentation must include new bundle and container reports.

Mailers may request an exception to these reporting requirements from their local business mail entry manager. The mailer must make the request in writing and state that all containers and bundles are accurately reported and paid on their postage statement.

2. Required scheme preparation for automation-compatible (machinable) flats.

If mailings are prepared without the new required 5-digit and 3-digit scheme preparation, the mailer must pay the applicable rates for the actual number of bundles and containers prepared.

3. Outside-County firm bundles pay a separate per-piece rate and no longer count toward bundle and presort minimums.

When firm bundles are still counted toward bundle and presort minimums, we will accept the mailing if the firm bundles are claimed at the correct firm bundle piece rate.