Archive for August, 2009
It’s All a Matter of Timing
IMb Requirements Implementation Date Change for Business Reply Mail
Per the Postal Bulletin 22266 today, the timeline for implementation of the Intelligent Mail barcode requirements for Business Reply Mail pieces has been postponed until May 2011. The USPS had originally announced requirements for qualified QBRM letters and Cards and PRM pieces would be effective in May 2010. This postponement gives users of these services more time to transition over, using up current printed stock supplies and enabling more time for planning for the future.
This change came about mainly from a recommendation made by MTAC Work Group #128, under the leadership of USPS Co-Chair Linda Stewart and Industry Co-Chair Jody Berenblatt from Bank of America. This is a good example of how MTAC Work Groups can influence and accomplish changes that benefit both the USPS and the mailing industry at large.
What the Postal Service Left Out of the Early-Retirement Deal
Dead Tree Edition: What the Postal Service Left Out of the Early-Retirement Deal.
Great piece, as always, from Dead Tree Edition. Good references, too.
First-Class Mail Incentive Website Update
Update - Minutes after posting this blog entry, for giggles, I clicked on the link again. Seems the website is now up. I assure you it was not up this morning, but it is now.
At least is is as of 1:33pm Eastern. You’ll have to take your chances.
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After trying to access the previously-announced First-Class Mail Incentive webpage for several days, I contacted the USPS and got an update on the page launch date.
The page will now become activated on August 28th. In the meantime (and even after the page is launched), if you have any questions you can contact the very helpful folks at firstclassmailincentive@usps.gov.
USPS Updates FSS Deployment Plans
Letter-Size Booklets
Great reference and summary here in USPS MailPro -
http://www.usps.com/mailpro/2009/julyaug/page4.htm
scroll down on the page for a useful chart.
USPS Mail.XML Information
The following guides have been updated (DRAFTS) in preparation for PostalOne! release 22 scheduled for November 15, 2009:
Mail.XML Technical Spec for eDoc
Mail.XML Technical Spec for FAST
Mail.XML Technical Spec for Profiles and Full-Service Intelligent Mail Feedback
Release 22 will contain support for the Full-Service Intelligent Mail prices, improved solutions for copallitization, and will allow mailers to provide electronic documentation and retrieve Mailer IDs (MIDs), Customer Registration IDs (CRIDS), and Full Service Feedback via XML.
The USPS is looking for feedback no later than this Friday, August 21. Send comments to imb@usps.gov
New Deflection Standards Postponed Until January
New deflection standards for USPS Flat mail that were supposed to go into effect on September 8, 2009, have been postponed until January 4, 2010. Mailers should take this opportunity to make sure that their flats mail meets the new deflection standards asap.
The deflection standards currently in place will continue to apply ONLY for automation flat mail during the extension period. Note that the September 8, 2009 implementation date STILL STANDS on polywrapped nonautomation flats.
Resources:
Federal Register Notice
Move Update Standard
The Move Update standard requires that mailers select a postal-approved method to periodically update their mailing list addresses. Compliance reduces the number of mailpieces that require forwarding or return-to-sender services.
Beginning in January 2010, the USPS will begin to use MERLIN reporting to assess additional postage on non-compliant mailings. Move Update postage will be calculated at mail acceptance if more than 30% of the addresses that should have been updated, were in fact not updated. This assessment will apply to a portion of the mailing based on the percentage by which the measured error rate exceeds the 30 percent tolerance. At acceptance, mailers have two options - pay the additional postage, or withdraw the mailing.
There are some official USPS resources and references available:
Move Update Information Page
Move Update Advisement Policy document
Guide to Accessing Move Update Reports
There will also be some Move Update Standard webinars, scheduled for September 3rd and September 15, 2009. The links and call-in numbers for these webinars will be published at RIBBS.
