Postal Affairs Blog

Amazing!

The USPS published a PCC Insider communication this morning, in response to the Federal Register Advance notice feedback, which just closed out last week.  Here are the highlights:

• Many of you told us that January 2009 was too soon. We will propose a May 2009 implementation, concurrent with our next annual price change.
• We understand from you that many factors will drive the choice between the basic and full-service options. The May 2009 implementation will include separate prices for the full-service and basic option.
• The Postnet Barcode will remain eligible for an automation price until May 2010. Those prices will be announced with the May 2009 change.
• The proposal will include new options for mail owner identification.
• We are removing the requirement for green color bars on the container label.

Your feedback made a huge difference!  By speaking up, we actually got the Postal Service to listen, and respond.  And their response indicates to me that the USPS is serious about doing Intelligent Mail right.  Kudos to everyone involved on both sides of this process!

Best wishes,
Lisa

Even though this year’s postal forum does not take place until May, it is never too soon to start planning to attend. 

See Window Book’s National Postal Forum press release here. There is a nice floor plan map with our booth #1322 clearly marked for reference. 

In my opinion, NPF is the most important industry event of the year.  I have been attending Forum for many years, even before I came to Window Book.  Forum usually has upwards of 6,000 attendees, from all facets of the mailing industry.  Postal officials are on hand to educate and answer questions, new technologies are showcased-and in these turbulent times of Intelligent Mail, I’ll take all the education the USPS has to offer! 

Forum also gives me a great opportunity to meet with customers and prospects.  I will be out in California for Forum this year, Sunday through Thursday.  Plan to stop by and say hello, or if you would like to schedule some meeting time, drop me a note.

Best wishes,
Lisa

I had a reader who commented that they were seeking more information and updates on the Flats Sequencing System (FSS) Initiatives. I want to point you to some valuable public MTAC resources:

http://ribbs.usps.gov/mtac.html

This link will take you to the MTAC public pages at the USPS RIBBS site. On the subject of FSS, here are some direct links:

This link is to the actual update presentation from the January MTAC Meetings:

http://ribbs.usps.gov/files/mtac/MTAC0108/FSS.Update01.30.08.ppt

This link will take you to a Power Point Presentation from the PCC Workshops in a Box series, this one specific to FSS:

Flats Sequencing System (FSS) PCC Workshop-in-a-Box

and this link will take you to the Phase I Deployment Schedule, by 5-digit Zip:

Flats Sequencing System (FSS) – Phase I Deployment Schedule by 5-Digit Zip Code

I want to encourage readers of this blog to post comments, and to contact me with any questions or suggestions for topics you would like to see more information on.

Best wishes for a great week ahead,
Lisa

I know I sound like a broken record on this, but that is how important it is.  Inelligent Mail Feedback cut off is today at 4pm.  Go to our Postal Info IMFR Feedback page and send feedback quickly and easily.  The number of responses to each issue are crucial.

After tomorrow, our link and banner button will connect to a readiness survey.  Please take the time to fill out this short Intelligent Mail Readiness survey, as we will compile and share the results with the USPS.

Drop me a note anytime with questions,
Best wishes,
Lisa
lbowes@windowbook.com

From a USPS DMM Advisory post distributed today, important planning dates -

May 12 Pricing Change – Plant-Verified Drop Shipment Procedures

Our plant-verified drop shipment (PVDS) procedures for the May 12 implementation of new prices are as follows:

Current Prices

Mailers may use the current prices for PVDS mailings verified and paid before May 12. We will accept these mailings at destination entry postal facilities up to May 27 when presented with appropriate verification and payment documentation.

New Prices

Mailers may use the new prices for PVDS mailings verified and paid beginning April 12 for deposit on or after May 12. We will accept these mailings at destination entry postal facilities beginning May 12 when presented with appropriate verification and payment documentation.

One of the best things to happen as a result of Postal legislation is the new rate schedule.  Have an annual February announcement for a May implementation of rate changes will remove a lot of the total unpredictability as to when and what changes were to come.  It will make a lot of lives much easier around here, that is for sure!  Being able to coordinate and test in a more stable environment at a reasonable timeline will help us all to be successful.

Which reminds me, PLEASE – get your comments on the Federal Register notice in TODAY.  The last day they will be taking comments is Thursday, your comments are imperative – a speak-now-or-forever-hold-your-peace situation.  You can access the actual Federal Register notice, as well as some suggested feedback (and an easy, form-filler way to rpovide instant feedback!) here:
http://www.windowbook.com/PostalInfo/IMFRFeedback.aspx
or you can email the Intelligent Mail Implementation team at the USPS directly at the eamil address below.  Whatever you do, get your feedback in.  Our voices together need to be heard.

Best wishes,
Lisa

Intelligent Mail Feedback address: imb@usps.gov

There is an intersting look at Intelligent Mail in today’s Washington Post here.  The ironic title of the article is “Postal Service Sees Simplicity in 31 Digits”.  A couple of items in the article jumped out at me, (after the Simplicity part, that is) the first being:

“Big bucks are riding on the bar code. The nation’s business mailers qualify for less-expensive mail rates if they bundle their letters, packages and magazines in ways that reduce sorting and delivery time for the post office. Bar codes are the key to getting the discounted postage rates, currently valued at about $18 billion.”

At this time, no discounted postage rates have been attached to Intelligent Mail aside from those given for replacing the Post Net barcode with the new Intelligent Mail barcode.  Further discount initiatives remain to be seen.

“Companies also will be given a chance to buy data collected by the post office that will give them insights into how customers respond to advertising and marketing.”

From what I have been hearing from within the mailing industry, I am not so sure the USPS will have a market for this data that they think will be a hot commodity.

“Although some commercial mailers sending letters, magazines and catalogues have been using the intelligent mail bar code for the last two years on a voluntary basis, the Postal Service intends to make the 31-digit code mandatory next January.”

There is nothing in the Federal Register notice that says the IM barcode will be MANDATORY.  It will be necessary in order to get any former PostNet discounts.  At this time, it is not going to be a requirment on any/all bulk mailings, and there will be different levels of service.

“Under current plans, large volume mailers, such as credit card companies, retailers and magazines, will send the Postal Service an electronic manifest, describing what they will be mailing. They also will make an electronic appointment, so the Postal Service knows which mail center will be getting the mass mailing and at what time.”

I find it very interesting here that none of the intitiatives are named – PostalOne! – FAST?  And they are described in about as over-simplified terms as it gets. 

The next few weeks will be a critical juncture for all things Intelligent Mail.  Federal Register feedback will be collected through this Thursday (if you have not commented – it is IMPERATIVE that all individual mailers and mail consumers do so!)  Visit our feedback page for some shortcuts to getting your voices heard.  Once the feedback is collected by the Postal Service, we will be watching and waiting for their responses to the many, many questions regarding the simplicity of 31 digits.

Best wishes,
Lisa

Today’s DMM Advisory from the USPS announces new pricing for Mailing products – First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services, and Special Services.

All prices can be accessed here:  usps.com/prices

Expect this to be an annual event from here on out, with price changes announced each February to take place each May. 

New pricing for shipping products are to be announced in March.

Time to stock up on those Forever Stamps!

Best wishes,
Lisa

If this past week at MTAC has signaled anything to me, it indicates that mailers need to educate themselves and keep abreast of the changes coming regarding Intelligent Mail. Although at times it seems like there are many more questions than answers (because frankly, there are), mailers need to act now, by taking steps to get informed. A must read is the Federal Register Notice, so that you can get your feedback in by the February deadline. Read the notice and some sample feedback here.

Although the mailer, vendor, and even some USPS insiders, are starting to be more vocal about the difficult tasks ahead, and how the January 2009 implementation date just may not be possible. It definitely will not be possible for some.

One of the key question remains rates. Will there be different rates and/or discounts between Basic Intelligent Mail and Full Service Intelligent Mail? These answers are critical in order for mailers to plan and prioritize.

A new push having to do with Origin Entry mail has also come up. The USPS is looking for further mailer handling and FAST appointment scheduling for Origin Entry Mail. The additional work sharing would place a burden on mail preparers, without any compensation. These issues are being hashed out. As far as the FAST appointments for Origin mail, mailers had better start to plan on how to handle that now, as it will be a requirement.

There are a lot of mailers, vendors, mail owners, and USPS folks working tremendously hard to make this all work. Get involved; attend PCC Educational events, and read, read, read!

Best wishes,
Lisa

PS and I can’t believe I’m saying this (anyone that knows me, knows I am a die-hard Bears fan), but go Giants!