Electronic Mail Improvement Reporting (eMIR) Bundle Breakage Blitz Results

1. Electronic Mail Improvement Reporting (eMIR) Bundle Breakage Blitz Results July 22 – August 5, 2005

2. What We Did • Bundle Breakage study conducted July 22 through August 5, 2005 • Nationwide participation in blitz • Sites utilized the electronic Mail Improvement Reporting (eMIR) program in PostalOne! to report processing issues • Not all sites participated due to another national survey • 2737 eMIR reports were submitted nationwide with 3296 issues reported • 543 reports (20%) were APPS sites

3. What We Learned • eMIR closes communication gaps • Operations, BMA, BSN, Customers • PostalOne! collects • Detailed report data, including pictures, to provide “actionable” information • Data to provide historical view of issues by locations • Bundle breakage an issue at all reporting sites • 15 APPS sites • 112 Non-APPS sites

4. Blitz Best Practices • Increased utilization resulted in better data collection • Better quantitative data • Volume information determines extent of problem • Better qualitative data • Completion of all data collection fields results in more resolved reports • Emphasis on preparer and container label information to help identify entry point of mail • Pictures powerful in identifying & resolving issues

5. Blitz Data Results • Results not a national statistical sampling • Do not represent entire network • One third of processing facilities did not participate due to concurrent National required surveys • Report volumes affected by • Site size • Resources • Effect of problem

6. Label Barcode Strap/Band Shrinkwrap Plastic Rubber String Size Issue Overweight Other Error Problem Missing Strap Bands Package Bundle / Package Issues Breakdown

7. Identified Top Bundle Issues • Shrinkwrap • Broken at Seam • Insufficient Strength • Ripped • Other • Sealed over address block/blocking out address • Doesn’t cover entire bundle • Loose fitting Conclusion: Shrink wrap accounts for over 28% of the problems but is used on less than 20% of bundles.

8. Identified Top Bundle Issues • Plastic Strap • Slipped Off • Broken • Insufficient Amount • Other • Covers address block • Too loose Conclusion: Plastic straps account for only 26% of the problems but are used on over 80% of bundles.

9. Identified Top Bundle Issues • Rubber Bands • Slipped Off • Broken • Insufficient Amount • String • Slipped Off / Poorly Tied Conclusion: String and rubber bands account for 30% of the problems but are only used to secure approximately 10% of bundles.

10. Identified Top Bundle Issues • Other Bundle Issues • Address/Optional Endorsement Line Obscured (APPS) • Facing Slips • Covering Address (APPS) • Falling off bundles – causing sensor problems on APPS • Presort Errors Conclusion: Address block obstruction is a problematic issue and will be addressed with the upcoming bundle address visibility final rule.

11. Flat Bundle Problem Analysis Conclusion: The reported problems are approximately proportional to the volumes by class. Conclusion: Additional attention must be given to the securing methods on bundles with glossy pieces.

12. Flat Bundle Problem Analysis Conclusion: Bundles in sacks account for over 50% of the problems but only 19% of the flat volume.

13. Customer Report Breakdown • Our largest customers contribute a little over 50% of • the total reported problems • Small mailers contribute to a large extent

14. Identified Issues • Identification of entry point of mail • Company Imprints • Integrate new technology • Identification of preparer • Need mailpiece ID • Only 31% of reports identified preparer (up from 21% in prior blitz) • Customer notification with multiple reports

15. Action Items • Develop field awareness processes that promote consistent reporting from facilities to insure accurate view of data • establishes preparation impact standards • establishes universal problem descriptors

16. Next Steps • BMA eMIR program enhancements (Fall 2005) • Historical eMIR information prompts focused verification • Additional verification for mailers with repeated eMIR issues • Additional postage assessed • eMIR response reports • national / area / district / facility views • performance reports

17. Next Steps • Customer Communications • Share data with mailers at MTAC • Proactive communication to our large volume mailers • BME education programs • Presentations to Focus Groups, PCCs • Focus in BMA Days • Webcasts, telecons and handouts to BME personnel • “Perfect Bundle” poster and brochure • PostalOne! eMIR customer reports • Mail Owner/Mail Preparer access to PostalOne! eMIR detailed reports now available

18. PostalOne! eMIR Customer Reports

19. PostalOne! eMIR Customer Reports - Aggregate

20. BCSS Test Test Inc. eMIR Test Test Inc. PostalOne! eMIR Customer Reports – Individual Listing

21. PostalOne! eMIR Customer Reports – Detailed Report

22. Getting Access To PostalOne! eMIR Customer Reports • To get access to your eMIR reports through the PostalOne! Mail Owner View • Apply online at usps.com → National & Premier Accounts → PostalOne! • Contactour Customer Care Center at postalone@email.usps.gov or 800-522-9085

23. For questions on the Bundle Breakage Blitz, please contact: Bob Fisher at 202-268-4383 or Marc McCrery at 202-268-2704. For eMIR questions, please contact: Susan Redman at 202-268-8073