Mail.Dat for IMB

The question is whether you have to have Mail.dat in the Basic Category for IMB?

I don't know why end users think you have to have Mail.dat in order to use the IMB. There are two levels, Full Service IMB and Basic IMB. Basic isn't going away at all and will apply to most mailers. Full Service will continue to grow but isn't meant for all mailers. With lower volumes, Full Service is overkill.

May 2011 is the big date for IMB - so what people who have DTM and BCCLE need to know?

Those individuals that are not choosing to be Full Service should know that all "Lite Edition" product users have the Basic IMB available to them and can mail using that IMB. Somehow, somewhere, someone is scaring low volume mailers into thinking they CAN'T mail unless they are going with IMB FS, this is NOT accurate or true. The best place to find additional information related to the Basic IMB would be at ribbs.usps.gov.

IMB- New Mail Barcode for Intelligent Use

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 (IMB) 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.

Find out More IMB Specifics with the Q&A IMB

Call Us Today for more Information about how IMB can help!

888.970.9944
fti@freelancetech.com

Why Hold Off on IMB Implementation?

Ten Reasons Why Mailers Should Delay Implementing the Full Service Intelligent Mail Barcode
* from The Bennett Group

1. Not so much ROI benefit. The current incentives are very low…

2. Passing MERLIN performance verification at the time of mail acceptance may not save the cost of errors….read more

3.The Intelligent Mail barcode requires purchase of scanner equipment, additional software or enhancements of current software will need to be purchased … read more

4.ZIP+4 DPV encoding process produce an Intelligent Mail barcode that appears to be perfectly acceptable...read more

5.Postage statements must be submitted electronically through PostalOne! The GAO has concerns over the safety and reliability of the USPS to protect your security and money...read more

6.The USPS' PostalOne! system crash experienced by mailers from Friday, February 5, 2010 to Tuesday,February 9, 2010 "When the Postal Service's systems crash, it has a significant and costly impact on the mailers' ability to prepare and enter mail." from http://www.postcom.org/

7.Delays have been reported with the access to the FAST system to schedule appointments. http://www.presort.com/?p=230

8.If acceptance issues require rework of a mailing...read more

9.Postal acceptance personnel inducting Intelligent Mail barcode mailings need training and familiarity with new Intelligent Mail barcode mailing procedures. http://www.presort.com/?p=230

10.Programs such as ACS and Confirm with the Intelligent Mail barcode have USPS costs... read more

*** brought to you by Freelance Technologies

Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMB) Market Trends

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:

• Are there other key dates that mailers should be aware of between now and the May 2011 deadline?
• Why should mailers care about the IMB?
• How does it work?
• How do mailers benefit from the Intelligent Mail barcode?
• What are the steps mailers should take to implement the basic IMB?
• What services use the Intelligent Mail barcode and when can I start using it?
• What is the difference between basic IMB and Full-Service IMB standards?
• What is the process for Full-Service IMB clients to qualify?
• What about automation prices?
• Am I required to use the Intelligent Mail barcode in lieu of POSTNET and PLANET codes?
• Where can I place the Intelligent Mail barcode?
• What are the dimensions of the barcode?
• Will I have problems passing MERLIN® program requirements?
• Will I need to complete CASS™ or MASS™ certification again?
• Tell me about the “start-the-clock” statistic and its significance for mailers?
• How many mailers are already using IMB?
• What should printers know about the IMB?
• What tools are available to help me or my provider adopt the Intelligent Mail barcode?
• Where can I find more information on the Intelligent Mail barcode?

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/

IMB is in the Green

IMB is in the Green- incentive to economize your mailing system and get data quality up to par!

New Intelligent Mail barcode specifications will help save space on envelopes and get mail on its correct route with little tolerance for undeliverable addresses.

This eco-friendly move will also put more cash back in your pocket with financial incentives to be compliant when it went into effect on May 11th, 2009.

Now is the time to take a realistic look at your company’s green initiatives and ask whether or not the practices undertaken are “evergreen” – promoting not only environmental conservation, but also sound business practices and solid return on investment so as to be sustainable in good economic conditions as well as bad.

Did you know that six million trees and more than 300 million pounds of paper are wasted each year on undeliverable-as-addressed mail (UAA) Standard class mail? It costs the USPS over two billion dollars annually to process this true “junk mail”. And the cost to mailers is even more dramatic – UAA mail costs direct mailers over six billion dollars a year...

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