Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMB) is one of the newer catchwords for mail solutions on the market but what does it mean for you?
Primary benefits include:
The Intelligent Mail barcode is the result of the Postal Service’s efforts to develop more robust codes capable of encoding more information, while minimizing the space used on the mailpiece. The Intelligent Mail barcode offers:
- Continue earning lowest postal rates
- Better customer intelligence
- Free Address Change Service
- Visibility into the mailstream
- More effective returned mail processing
- Better scan rates and improved deliverability
- Better looking mail pieces (fewer barcodes)
- Delivery ConfirmationTM
- Access to new services
What are the real concerns facing Mailers?
Price. In todays market, the biggest concern is how much this will cost or save. The savings can add up if you mail in quantity. Early compliance for the Intelligent Mail barcode discount offers:
$.01 per 1000 pieces of mail Standard
$.03 per 1000 pieces of mail First class
For smaller mailers, there are other incentives. Indirect savings through a more efficient mailing system also save everyone money and peace of mind. As you consider how to implement Intelligent Mail in your company, you should recognize that every approach offers unique solutions:
- Saving space on the envelope means less product waste
- Less undeliverable mail means higher ROI
- A forward thinking green approach will give you marketing advantage
Why should mailers care about the IMB?
Two reasons: First, mailers must be using the Intelligent Mail barcode on their mail as of May 2011 in order to qualify for automation prices. Planet Code bar codes will no longer be in effect after the May 2011 deadline. The second reason is the extra data and tracking capabilities available through IMB. Even basic IMB can track mail and predict delivery dates. Those using Full-Service IMB will receive mail feedback about address quality and get automated address correction information.
Facts about the INTELLIGENT MAIL® BARCODE (IMB)
To obtain the lowest automation prices on Letters and Flats, mailers must use the 65-bar Intelligent Mail® barcode on each mail piece, encoding the delivery point information plus four new fields including an assigned Mailer ID, the class of mail, an optional endorsement line, plus a mail piece sequence number that must remain unique for 45 days.
New 24-digit tray barcodes and 21-digit container barcodes.
Electronic documentation using Mail.dat,®Wizard Web Services or Postage Statement Wizard® will be required for the full-service option.
Must acquire Mailer ID number(s) from the Postal Service, encode all data into the barcode components and then graphically render this barcode on every mail piece, tray and container.
Program optimization means that you must:
- Create mechanisms to capture data provided by the USPS
- Link USPS data back to your source data
- Leverage this data to improve your business
- The USPS will provide mailers with two options: Full-Service and Basic.
So what does that mean?
The Basic option will have fewer requirements. The Full-Service option will provide access to more services (such as free ACS and Start the Clock information*) and will enable mailers to earn the greatest postal discounts as of the fall of 2009. The details below apply to the Full-Service option.
Where to find more information on the Intelligent Mail barcode...
FTI Q&A Breakdown of questions from the DMNews source:
For the latest information on the Intelligent Mail barcode, including the full dimension specification, visit the Rapid Information Bulletin Board System (RIBBS) website at:http://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSolution/
