Postal Affairs Blog

Here is a marketing definition of Slim-Jims from Answers.com:

Catalog size measuring 61/8″ 3 111/2.” Slim-jims became popular among catalogers looking for a way to reduce postage and production costs when the slim-jim size was the largest size qualifying for letter-rate postage. The slim-jim format is still favored by catalogers seeking a way to differentiate themselves from other catalogs. The J. Peterman catalog used a slim-jim format.

There is an excellent, informative article here at PostCom, which is available to the public:
http://www.postcom.org/public/articles/2008articles/slim-jim.htm
The article helps to dispel some of the myths and outright fallacies that exist around the USPS view of these types of mailers.  A must read!

Let me know if you have any questions,
Best wishes,
Lisa

I ran across an informative article on Mail Consolidation here at DMNews:
http://www.dmnews.com/Control-costs-by-consolidating-mail/article/111221/

It is important to understand what each of the different “Co” programs that are all the rage right now -

These definitions are from the USPS Quick Service Guide 800 Glossary of Postal Terms and Abbreviations found in the Domestic Mail Manual:

commingle  To integrate dissimilar mail (such as subscriber and nonsubscriber copies or machinable and irregular parcels) into the same mailing.

copalletize  To combine and present together on pallets mail from two or more different or separately produced mailstreams.

These definitions are my own take on the processes listed:

comailing, as opposed to copalletization, combines individual pieces of mail, rather than bundles, in order to create bundles with a higher presort threshold, allowing pieces to be married up with other pieces going to the same zip code, boosting qualification levels to get deeper piece discounts. 

cobinding occurs during the actual manufacturing process, and allows mail of like trim sizes and comparable page make-ups for different finished products to be produced and sorted as a single mail stream.

For more in depth comparisons and analysis of these processes, just run a Google search by the process you are interested in, there are many more detailed resources and specific company services listed for reference. 

Best wishes,
Lisa

Although the comment period for the recent Intelligent Mail Federal Register Notice has ended, the USPS is still taking comments on all of the Technical Guides posted at USPS’ RIBBS site http://ribbs.usps.gov/. 

These guides include:

• Guide to Electronic Documentation and Appointments for Full-Service Mailings (pdf)
• PostalOne! System Mail.dat Technical Guide for Full-Service (pdf)
• Wizard Web Service Software Development Reference Guide (pdf)
• Full Service FAST Web Services Technical Guide (pdf)

Anyone who has a stake in Intelligent Mail needs to review these guides, and “speak now or forever hold your peace”.  The Guides are being reworked and edited as feedback comes in. 

Comments can be sent via this official USPS form:
https://www.usps.com/intelligentmail/contactus.htm

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns that you would like brought back to USPS leadership,

Best wishes,
Lisa

The USPS has sent out a DMM Advisory with a ton of changes and clarifications, which have been published today in the Domestic Mail Manual.  Take a look at these items, which are directly taken from the Advisory itself:

New Preparation Option for Automation Letters
We revised 235.6.6 and 245.7.5 to allow mailers preparing automation First-Class Mail or Standard Mail letters to place overflow pieces in the front or back of trays at the next sort level, instead of making separate overflow trays. Overflow pieces must remain grouped by destination.

Confirm Service
We revised 503.13.2.3 and 13.3.1 to clarify the barcode standards for Confirm service. We also revised 503.13.4 to reference the preshipment notification, which enables entry scans for Destination Confirm.

Caller Service and Reserve Caller Numbers
We revised 508.5.0 to clarify the application process and fees for Caller Service and Reserve Caller numbers. Customers who use Caller Service pick up their mail at a Post Office call window or loading dock in lieu of delivery.

Labeling Lists
We revised the labeling lists to reflect changes in mail processing operations.

Our next scheduled DMM update is July 3.

New Barcode Requirement for Priority Mail Open and Distribute Servic
Today the Federal Register published our new mailing standards [PDF] | [HTML] requiring concatenated UCC/EAN Code 128 barcodes with a unique Service Type Code on all Priority Mail Open and Distribute container labels. The new standards are effective July 1, 2008. Priority Mail Open and Distribute provides an option for mailers to expedite their mail to destination postal facilities using Priority Mail service.

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The DMM Advisory is an awesome email communication that comes directly from the Postal Service.  To subscribe to the DMM Advisory, send an e-mail to dmmadvisory@usps.com. Simply indicate “subscribe” in the subject line.

Let me know if you have any questions about these changes and clarifications.  Our WBI software systems already support Confirm Service and Priority Mail Open and Distribute Service.

Best wishes,

Lisa

I’ve been reading and hearing more and more about companies and individuals getting involved with “green” initiatives, carbon footprints, and social responsibility.  One example is the new USPS Green Web Page here:
http://www.usps.com/green/
Visitors can access information about environmentally-friendly USPS products and packaging, and their innovative postage-paid recycling program.  The USPS site even has a calculator so you can figure out how much better for the environment it would be if you did Postal business online vs going to the Post Office.  At the recent National Postal Forum, green thinking and green initiatives were a big topic of interest, as indicated by some of the sessions as well as some of the products and advertising on the exhibit floor. 

That got me to thinking about my immediate world.  At WBI, one of the ways we do our part is by utilizing some terrific online collaboration and meeting systems.  We initially went that route because it was such a flexible and effective tool set, but cutting our carbon footprint is a great benefit as well, becoming more important every day.  Less travel, less consumption is a must for businesses today, and we are lucky to be well-established with a better alternative already.

How do you and your companies view the “greening” movement?  Is it just a trend, or are we finally coming around to recognize our responsibilities?  Let me know in the comments, on drop me a note if you would like a response (the comments are all anonymous).

Best wishes,
Lisa

I have had the opportunity to review many of the official comments made in response to the Intelligent Mail Federal Register Notice.  The comments submitted by PostCom, the Association for Postal Commerce, were also signed by MFSA Mailing & Fulfillment Services Association, Printing Industries of America, The Direct Marketing Association,  IDEAlliance (keepers of the Mail.dat specification) , the American Catalog Mailers Association, and the Alliance of Non-Profit Mailers.  These groups represent virtually all mailers, in one capacity or another. The emphatic recommendations can really be summed up in three little words, words that the USPS must heed in order for the important Intelligent Mail initiatives to be a long term success — Apply Common Sense!

The USPS must apply some common sense to their vision.  Clear direction is required – clear direction as to technical specifications and mailing standards and requirements.  Proper decisions and future direction cannot be made or taken without a complete picture of what is to be required, why, and what the benefits are.  Probably the most important recommendation is that the USPS needs to have a realistic, manageable, implementation schedule.  The USPS needs to recognize their own readiness, and respect the readiness of the industry as a whole.

Intelligent Mail is coming, and it will be a good thing – eventually.  Hopefully the USPS and the mailers will be able to step back, apply common sense, and move forward in a direction that benefits all.

Best wishes,
Lisa

PS Drop me a note with your Intelligent Mail questions anytime
lbowes@windowbook.com