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It’s Time for Intelligent Mail ® All About the Barcodes

It’s Time for Intelligent Mail ® All About the Barcodes Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 Agenda Introduction to the 3 Barcodes Constructing the Barcodes Managing Your Mail Uniqueness Mailer IDs Technical Resources Basic and Full-Service Options What is the Basic Option?

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It’s Time for Intelligent Mail ® All About the Barcodes

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  1. It’s Time for Intelligent Mail®All About the Barcodes Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008

  2. Agenda • Introduction to the 3 Barcodes • Constructing the Barcodes • Managing Your Mail • Uniqueness • Mailer IDs • Technical Resources

  3. Basic and Full-Service Options • What is the Basic Option? • Available today for letters, cards and flats • What is the Full-Service Option? • Gives mailers key insight into their mail • Why should mailers opt for Full-Service Option? • Can take advantage of added mailstream visibility • Allows improved management of mailing costs and quality • What is required for the Full-Service Option? • Proper use of the Intelligent Mail® suite of barcodes • Submission of electronic documentation

  4. Suite of Intelligent Mail® Barcodes • Intelligent Mail® Barcode • Intelligent Mail® Tray Barcode • Intelligent Mail® Container Barcode Intelligent Mail®Barcode Intelligent Mail® Tray Barcode Intelligent Mail® Container Barcode

  5. POSTNET™ – Overview • Since the 80’s, mailers have applied the POSTNET barcode to mailpieces 5-digit ZIP Code Delivery Point ZIP+4 Code

  6. POSTNET™ – Overview • By reading the POSTNET on mailpieces, processing equipment is able to direct mail automatically through the postal network to its destination

  7. POSTNET™ – Overview • The POSTNET is great. However, it only contains information about the mailpiece’s final destination. No other information about the mailpiece can be included.

  8. Intelligent Mail® Barcode – Overview • As the Postal Service introduced services such as CONFIRM® for tracking and Address Change Service for change of address notification, more information needed to be printed on the mailpiece Address Change Participant Code Keyline for Address Change Service #BWNGKVN #9999 9920 0104 276 PLANET Code® for CONFIRM® Service POSTNET™ Code for Sortation

  9. Intelligent Mail® Barcode – Overview • With all this extra information, the mailpiece was cluttered and in need of a serious make over Address Change Participant Code Keyline for Address Change Service #BWNGKVN #9999 9920 0104 276 PLANET® Code for CONFIRM® Service POSTNET™ Code for Sortation

  10. Intelligent Mail® Barcode – Overview So, the Postal Service undertook the task of creating a new barcode… A better barcode than the POSTNET™… A barcode that could hold more information… Different information… It would need to be smarter… Intelligent…

  11. Intelligent Mail® Barcode – Overview • And so, in 2006, the Postal Service introduced the Intelligent Mail® barcode to mailers

  12. What’s in the Intelligent Mail® Barcode? • So, what information is contained in this new barcode that makes it so smart? Barcode ID Ex: “50” for Mixed AADC Service Type Ex: “700” for First Class Mail Mailer ID Ex: “123456” USPS assigned Serial Number Ex: “200800001” Mailer assigned Routing Code Ex: 6449 Amberview Ct., Memphis, TN 38141834649 Remember: The POSTNET contains only Delivery Point information

  13. Intelligent Mail® Barcode – Overview • Because delivery point information and additional information needed for CONFIRM® and Address Change Service now fits neatly into a single barcode, the mailpiece is once again free from clutter! Address Change Participant Code Keyline for Address Change Service #BWNGKVN #9999 9920 0104 276 PLANET Code® for CONFIRM® Service POSTNET™ Code for Sortation

  14. Intelligent Mail® Barcode – Specifications F A T D For Letters and Flats • Height-modulated barcode • Full bar, Ascender, Tracker, and Descender Key Barcode Tolerances • Overall length between 2.667 and 3.225 inches • Overall height between 0.125 and 0.165 inch • Vertical clear zone at least 0.028 inch Other physical characteristics are same as POSTNET

  15. Intelligent Mail® Tray and Container Barcodes and Labels • Use of the Intelligent Mail® Tray and Container barcodes and labels will be required for the Full-Service Option in May 2009 • By using the Intelligent Mail® Tray barcode and Intelligent Mail® Container barcode, the USPS can maintain visibility of mailpieces and mail aggregates throughout the network through nesting relationships

  16. How Nesting Works Unique Container Barcode Unique Tray Barcode Unique Mailpiece Barcode

  17. Intelligent Mail® Tray Label – Overview • The Intelligent Mail® Tray label has been used internally by USPS for years • By attaching an Intelligent Mail® Tray barcode to each tray, sack or tub in a mailing, mail can be automatically directed through facilities by processing equipment

  18. Tray Barcode - Overview • What’s in the Intelligent Mail® Tray barcode that makes it so smart? ZIP Code Ex: Memphis, TN “38141” Content Identification Number (CIN) 3-digits describing the tray Processing Code Ex: “1” for Automation Compatible Mailer ID Ex: “123456” USPS Assigned Serial Number Ex:“20080001” Mailer Assigned Label Type Ex: “1” for 6-digit MID The former tray barcode only contained delivery point information

  19. Intelligent Mail® Container Label – Overview • The Intelligent Mail Container barcode and label has been tested over the past few years and is ready for deployment • By attaching the Container label to containers and pallets that move mail, mail induction can be automated

  20. Intelligent Mail® Container barcode – Overview • What’s in the Container barcode that makes it so smart? Application Identifier “99” Type Indicator “M” Mailer ID USPS Assigned, Ex: “123456” Serial Number Mailer Assigned, Ex: “200800000001” The former container label did not contain a barcode

  21. Agenda • Introduction to the 3 Barcodes • Constructing the Barcodes • Managing Your Mail • Uniqueness • Mailer IDs • Technical Resources

  22. What you need… • It’s easy to generate the suite of Intelligent Mail® barcodes. Here’s what you’ll need: • USPS or vendor-developed Intelligent Mail® barcode encoder • USPS or vendor-developed font for the Intelligent Mail® Barcode • USPS assigned Mailer ID (MID) • Content Identification Number (CIN) List • Software to generate Code 128 subset C for the Intelligent Mail® Tray barcode and software GS1-128 for the Intelligent Mail® Container barcode

  23. Intelligent Mail® barcode • There are three steps required to generate the Intelligent Mail barcode on mailpieces: • Form the 31-digit payload • Encode the 31-digits • Print the barcode on mailpieces

  24. Form the 31-digit Payload 1 • Data for the 31-digits in the barcode needs to be gathered and assembled • Ex: “5070012345620080000138141834649” Barcode ID “50” for Mixed AADC Service Type ID “700” for First Class Mail Mailer ID USPS assigned “123456” Serial Number Mailer Assigned Ex: “200800001” Routing Code 6449 Amberview Ct Memphis, TN 38141834649

  25. Encode the Barcode 2 • Next, encoding software is used to transform the 31-digits into the barcode payload “5070012345620080000138141834649” Apply Encoding Algorithm DADTATFFAFFTTTAFTAFDADFDDDDDTAFFDAAFFDAFDDFFTADFTFTTFDAAFTFTADTTT To download encoders and user guides visit: http://RIBBS.USPS.GOV/ONECODESOLUTION

  26. PRINT 3 • Then, simply apply the Intelligent Mail® font to the encoded string, and PRINT DADTATFFAFFTTTAFTAFDADFDDDDDTAFFDAAFFDAFDDFFTADFTFTTFDAAFTFTADTTT USPS or Vendor Developed Font Print Intelligent Mail® barcode

  27. Intelligent Mail® Tray Label • Currently, there are two options available for generating Intelligent Mail® Tray Labels: • Generate the labels “in-house” or • Submit online label orders to the Label Production Center in Topeka, KS Soon there will be third method of printing Tray labels via Shipping Assistant!!!

  28. Generating Intelligent Mail® Tray Labels • Obtain and use the Intelligent Mail Tray label specification from http://ribbs.usps.gov • Remember to apply for your Mailer ID (MID) and have the Content Information Number (CIN) List available before you begin! http://ribbs.usps.gov

  29. Ordering Intelligent Mail® Tray Labels • Ordering labels from the Label Production Center in Topeka, KS is handled through the Customer Label Distribution System (CLDS) • CLDS is a web based application that provides mailers with the capability to create, edit and submit Intelligent Mail® Tray Label orders online http://clds.usps.gov

  30. Intelligent Mail® Container Label • Affix the 8"x11" label and the 4"x7" adhesive label on the outside of the shrinkwrap or container 8" x 11" 4" x 7" The 8’’x11’’ label is the minimum size!

  31. Generating Intelligent Mail®Container Label • To create and print labels, obtain and use the specifications available at http://ribbs.usps.gov • Consider working with vendors http://ribbs.usps.gov

  32. Agenda • Introduction to the 3 Barcodes • Constructing the Barcodes • Managing Your Mail • Uniqueness • Mailer IDs • Technical Resources

  33. Lessons from Early Adopters • Ability to induct Full-Service Mail does not happen overnight! • Consider whether to “build or buy” capabilities • Pay special attention to managing uniqueness and the Mailer ID

  34. Agenda • Introduction to the 3 Barcodes • Constructing the Barcodes • Managing Your Mail • Uniqueness • Mailer IDs • Technical Resources

  35. Uniqueness • Key considerations: • How will uniqueness be driven? • Who will manage uniqueness? • Will uniqueness be managed centrally? • For the Full-Service Option, mailers are required to maintain unique mailpiece, tray, and container barcodes for 45 days • Managing uniqueness can be complex

  36. Managing Uniqueness • Consider letting a vendor manage your uniqueness • Use license plating to connect data behind the scenes • Use the barcode to relate to data in a database • Remember: You’ll need to link Address Correction information to mailpieces and mailings without using Keyline information

  37. Agenda • Introduction to the 3 Barcodes • Constructing the Barcodes • Managing Your Mail • Uniqueness • Mailer IDs • Technical Resources

  38. Your Mailer ID • Your Mailer ID (MID) will be included in each mailpiece, tray, and container barcode that you print • If you use multiple mail preparers, managing your Mailer ID while maintaining uniqueness will require constant attention

  39. Managing Multiple Mailer IDs • Larger mailers may have multiple Mailer IDs to manage • Be sure to keep track of your Mailer IDs and who is using each ID • Strategies to consider: • Distribute your Mailer IDs based on geography. Assign each of your major hubs a different ID • Assign each mail preparer you work with one Mailer ID

  40. “50700123456X1234567838141834649” Managing A Single Mailer ID • Most mailers will need to manage a single Mailer ID • Use only your own Mailer ID; it’s the key to your mail • Consider assigning each mail preparer you work with a different first digit in the serial numbers they apply to mailpieces, trays, and containers For Mail Preparer 1, X = 1 For Mail Preparer 2, X = 2 …

  41. Agenda • Introduction to the 3 Barcodes • Constructing the Barcodes • Managing Your Mail • Uniqueness • Mailer IDs • Technical Resources

  42. Validating Intelligent Mail® Barcodes • Manual Tools • Visual Inspection • Plastic Templates • Optical Comparator • Software • Online Encoder/Decoder • Scanners and Verifiers • Local postal resources

  43. Technical Resources Plastic Template • Automation Barcode Gauge Template (Item #04A) • Great tool available from local BSN or Mailpiece Design Analyst • Measures both the Intelligent Mail barcode and the POSTNET™

  44. Technical Resources Optical Comparator • Optical Comparator 6X (Eye Gage) by Gage-Line Technology • Complements Item 04A with ability to measure exact heights/widths and to assess barcode jitter (~centerline shift)

  45. Technical Resources Basic online decoder tool is available at: http://ribbs.usps.com/OneCodeSolution

  46. Technical Resources Scanners and Verifiers • The Culver Group • HHP4600 Area Imager • Videk • VisionSensor 2030 and PostnetVerifier • BCC Software (A BÖWE BELL+HOWELL Company) • Mail Verifier Plus (MVP) • Motorola / Symbol • Scanners – DS3408, DS3478 and DS6707 • Mobile computers – MC50, MC70, MC3000, MC9000 Information about these companies is available at ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSolution

  47. Steps to Getting Started STEP 1: Talk with your Mailpiece Design Analyst, mail service providers & vendors STEP 2: Apply for Mailer ID (MID) STEP 3: Apply for a PostalOne!® account STEP 4: Visit RIBBS - download guides and software STEP 5: Determine uniqueness strategy STEP 6: Generate barcodes

  48. When is the Right Time for you to Implement Intelligent Mail®? The Time is NOW…

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