Articles by Jeffery Peoples on ArticleSnatch.com

Keeping Updated Labeling Lists and Drop Ship Data

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:29:08 -0500

The United States Postal Service® (USPS) is in the process of re-aligning their network of mail processing and transportation facilities. This is being done in an effort to streamline processes and reduce costs, as well as to reflect the drop in mail volume these facilities are handling. One of the most recent examples of this initiative was the change of Bulk Mail Centers (BMC's) to Network Distribution Centers (NDC's). As a result of this initiative, there are constant changes to the network of postal facilities and as mailers it can sometimes be difficult to keep up with all the changes. Our businesses are complex enough without having to deal with mail acceptance issues or delays in mailings caused by using the wrong postal facility information when mail is prepared or drop shipped. Luckily, there are a number of resources available to help mailers, presort services and transportation companies keep up-to-date on drop shipping and labeling list data. First, there are the tried and true Labeling Lists, which are published in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM). **End Summary** Topics: Drop shipping]]> Drop Ship data]]> Labeling List data]]> PMOD]]> Priority Mail Open and Distribute]]> mailers]]> transportation company]]> FAST]]> DMM]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more about automating drop shipping, visit www.windowbook.com

Priority Mail Open and Distribute for Drop Shipping

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:59:09 -0400

Are you familiar with USPS Priority Mail Open and Distribute? For some mailers, Priority Mail Drop Shipping is a well kept secret that they are not aware of, and as a result they are missing out on some great opportunities to improve delivery and reduce costs. For those of you not familiar with this service, it is technically termed Priority Mail Open and Distribute (PMOD) by the United States Postal Service® (USPS). It is a method of drop shipping mail to additional postal entry points using Priority Mail as the shipping method rather than more traditional methods such as truckload, less-than-load (LTL) or air freight. The same service is available using Express Mail Open and Distribute (EMOD), although it is more expensive due to the quicker delivery time (next day service). Regardless of which level of service is used, Open and Distribute is a pretty smart way to drop ship to entry points with smaller volumes of mail which make the more traditional shipping methods cost prohibitive. It works by entering the mailpieces at their normal postage prices (e.g. Periodicals, Standard, etc. **End Summary** Topics: Priority Mail Open and Distribute]]> PMOD]]> Express Mail Open and Distribute]]> EMOD]]> drop ship]]> Periodicals]]> Standard Mail]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For some mailers, Priority Mail Drop Shipping is a well kept secret that they are not aware of, and as a result they are missing out on some great opportunities to improve delivery and reduce costs. Visit http://www.windowbook.com/USPS/OD for more information.

ACS OneCode for UAA and Automation

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

In 2004 the United States Postal Service® (USPS) commissioned an independent study to examine the volume and cost of "undeliverable-as-addressed" mail (UAA). The result showed that 4.75% of all mail the USPS received for delivery could not be delivered as addressed. This means almost 5 out of every 100 mailpieces are undeliverable-as-addressed. Standard Mail® accounted for almost 63% of all UAA mail and 75% of UAA Mail was due to move-related reasons. Each year, over 45 million people and over 2.3 million businesses move. On the average, mailing lists deteriorate over 1% a month. Using incorrect addresses is one of the major contributing factors for the rising costs of the Postal Service. If mail cannot be delivered to the address on the mailpiece it will be forwarded, returned or treated as waste. Each option impacts large volumes of mail and incurs high expenses to both the USPS and its customers. Cost-effective and timely delivery of every mailpiece depends on having accurate addresses with complete and correct address elements. According to the R-2006-1 Rate Case Study (Christiansen UAA Study), there were 9.724 billion UAA mailpieces annually which cost $1.8 billion for the USPS annually: $421. **End Summary** Topics: UAA]]> OneCode ACS]]> ACS]]> Undeliverable-as addressed]]> Change-of-Address]]> COA]]> NCOA]]> Ancillary Service]]> MLOCR]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Move Update is one of the requirements the Postal Service has embarked on to deal with the rising costs of processing UAA mail. Learn about ACS OneCode, one of the options you can use to participate in Move Update. http://www.windowbook.com/

Drop Ship Data and Labeling List Data for Drop Shippers

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

For mailers, presort services, and transportation companies who process drop shipments, having up-to-date information on drop ship data and labeling list data is a critical part of their operation. Using updated data helps mailers benefit from greater drop ship discounts and improves efficiency by having accurate information. Drop Ship data is updated daily by the USPS on their FAST system website. It provides drop ship data including information on SCF (Sectional Center Facility), BMC (Bulk Mail Center), ADC (Area Distribution Center), and DDU (Destination Delivery Unit) facilities. You can easily obtain detailed information on the facility type, city, state, zip code, dock information, contact phone numbers, and hours of operation by using this drop ship data. This database also includes what is referred to as "re-direct" information, which specifies alternate facilities to which drop shipments must be sent based on situational events such as volume fluctuations, equipment downtime, construction, natural disasters (e.g. flooding), etc. Having this redirection information readily available can significantly reduce delivery delays and additional transportation charges. The Labeling List data is updated and published in the DMM by the U.S. Postal Service and is also posted on Postal Explorer®. **End Summary** Topics: Drop Ship]]> Labeling List]]> Presort]]> Transportation]]> tray label]]> sack label]]> pallet placards]]> DMM]]> PostalExplorer]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Learn about Drop Ship Data and Labeling List Data that mailers, presort services, and transportation companies use. http://www.windowbook.com/

How will you prove that your mailing went out with the new Intelligent Mail eDocs initiative?

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The infamous Red Round Stamp you've become so accustomed to as "proof of mailing" to your clients will soon become a thing of the past. With the induction of USPS eDocumentation (e-Docs) for sending your mailing information in an electronic format to the USPS, how will you easily obtain that "proof of mailing" and give it to your clients? In the near future, mailers will be required to transmit Postage Statements electronically via PostalOne! to participate in Intelligent Mail Full Service. What does this mean to you? It means you will no longer be submitting hard copies of Postage Statements and getting a physical Red Round Stamp marked on your documents as verification from the Postal Service. The industry realizes that it is crucial for mailers to be able to continue to receive a Round Stamp on their Postage Statement as receipts when using eDocs. The final Postage Statements are used in-house and also sent to their clients - providing critical mailing information including Date of Mailing, Postage amounts, and number of pieces mailed. **End Summary** Topics: Round Stamp]]> Electronic documentation]]> Intelligent Mail]]> PostalOne!]]> Mail.dat]]> Mail.xml]]> Postage Statement]]> eDocs]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Need to produce Electronic Red Round Stamps? Visit http://www.windowbook.com/RoundStamps http://www.windowbook.com/IntelligentMail Jeffery Peoples enables and educates thousands of people on ways to mail and ship more profitably since 1989. Enabling them with Intelligent Mail full service, PostalOne!, Mail.XML, Mail.dat, Post Presort software, USPS FAST, MAC Gold, and many other systems.

Presort & Post-Presort software: the differences and how they work together

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Mailers who use presort software alone often do not realize the benefits and the tremendous advantage that can be achieved by utilizing a Post-Presort software. Presort software focuses on address verification, address quality, mail sortation and the initial plan of entry. Post-Presort software specializes in complete data management and flexibility, including the ability to make last minute real-time changes to your mailing data. It allows you to create USPS® Mailing documentation that matches the actual mailing, instead of trying to match your mailing to the paperwork! Post presort software let's you update that plan to the realities of the production environment and get savings not foreseen when the mail was originally presorted. Post Presort software allows you to build your mailing documentation to what you actually mailed vs. forcing yourself to build your mailing to the documentation that was originally produced with the presort. Building your documentation to what you actually mailed allows you to create more accurate documentation and eliminates paying more postage then you need to pay. Presort software focuses on Address management: - Address verification - Address management (Move updates, Address Correction Service, etc. **End Summary** Topics: Presort software]]> Post-presort software]]> mailing documents]]> Postage Statements]]> Spoilage]]> mailing data]]> address management]]> Mail.dat]]> PostalOne!]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Want to learn more about producing accurate mailing statements that reflect your actual mailings? Visit http://www.windowbook.com/DAT-MAIL Jeffery Peoples enables and educates thousands of people on ways to mail and ship more profitably since 1989. Enabling them with Intelligent Mail full service, PostalOne!, Mail.XML, Mail.dat, Post Presort software, USPS FAST, MAC Gold, and many other systems.

eDocs Will Be The Way You Pay For Postage Soon

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Postal Service is revolutionizing the way mail is prepared and paid for. You will no longer print paper postage statements. The USPS has been hand entering over 14 million postage statements a year. The USPS needs to find ways to cut costs and improve accuracy. Intelligent Mail Full Service will be available in May 2009. You can start submitting your postage statements electronically now and reduce the costs of printing and storing paper documents, and be more prepared for Intelligent Mail Full Service. USPS PostalOne!® provides an online solution for business mailers now. You can transmit electronic postage payments and mailing documents online without having to print paper statements. This electronic revolution from paper postage statements to electronic postage payment system will yield many benefits to both business mailers and the Postal Service. It will eliminate the time it takes for postal clerks to hand enter postage statements. It gives the USPS a view into what is coming so they can better plan for the flow of mail. It reduces the time it takes you to get your mail accepted because the data will already be at the USPS facility when your mail arrives. **End Summary** Topics: Electronic documentation]]> PostalOne!]]> Postage Statements]]> Intelligent Mail Full Service]]> FAST]]> Mail.dat]]> Wizard Web Services]]> Postage Statement Wizard]]> Mail.X]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Intelligent Mail Full Service will be available in May 2009. Learn more about using electronic documents. Visit http://www.windowbook.com/IntelligentMail Jeffery Peoples enables and educates thousands of people on ways to mail and ship more profitably since 1989. Enabling them with Intelligent Mail full service, PostalOne!, Mail.XML, Mail.dat, Post Presort software, USPS FAST, MAC Gold, and many other systems. http://www.windowbook.com/

Mailer ID and Intelligent Mail

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

What is a USPS Mailer ID? The Mailer ID or Mailers ID is number created and managed by USPS that uniquely identifies an entity in the creation and distribution of a mail piece. These entities may be a mail owner (the company that requests the mail piece to be produced), a printer, a mail service provider (a lettershop, or mail service bureaus) or a mail transportation company (mail logistics and distribution companies). The Mailer ID is a field within the Intelligent Mail barcodes that is used to identify Mail Owners and/or Mailing Agents. It is required in all Intelligent Mail barcodes and is used by the Postal Service to identify the mail owners and /or mailing agents. Mailer's ID is sometimes abbreviated to MID. How did the USPS uniquely identify mailers before Mailer ID? USPS used to use DUNS numbers. The Mailer ID is number created and managed by USPS. Who needs a USPS Mailer ID? All mail owner or provider (agent) using the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) will need a Mailer ID. How long does it take to get a Mailers ID? It can take from a couple days to several weeks. **End Summary** Topics: Mailer ID]]> MID]]> Intelligent Mail barcodes]]> Postal Service]]> USPS]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Need to apply for Mailer ID? http://www.Mailersid.com is a free website that helps mailers apply for MID. Jeffery Peoples educates thousands of people on ways to mail and ship more profitably since 1989. He enables them with Intelligent Mail, PostalOne!, Mail.dat, Post Presort software, USPS FAST, MAC Gold. Visit http://www.windowbook.com/IntelligentMail

More 2009 than 2006

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

In the age of information, most tasks completed in the workplace are done with a click of a mouse. Recognizing this, the U.S. Postal Service® has created a series of web-based postal solutions to streamline the mailing process by automating postal paperwork. In order for businesses to take advantage of this automation and make mailing operations quicker and more efficient, they should follow five essential strategies. Keep a Database It is essential that businesses keep a database of all postal statements, documentation, and mailing activity. This database should be able to create reports that reflect all mailing activities, perform comprehensive and accurate postage accounting, match clients and jobs to mailing statements, and reduce the need to store paper statements. The mailing database should act as a hub, one repository for all jobs, regardless of how they were presorted or how the postage was paid. In addition, this database should interface data with USPS postal programs like PostalOne!®, FAST(Facility Access and Shipment Tracking), and Confirm®; internal systems like business management and accounting software; and, most importantly, your client. Use Mail.dat® **End Summary** Topics: U.S. Postal Service]]> Mail.dat]]> PostalOne!]]> database]]> Web service]]> Confirm]]> FAST]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About the Author: J. Jeffery Peoples As Founder and CEO of Window Book, Jeffery Peoples has created many innovations since 1989 that make using the Postal Service easier and more profitable for mailers and shippers. Learn more on how you can reduce costs and increase productivity by automating your system. Visit http://www.windowbook.com/

Intelligent Mail eDocs with PostalOne!®

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The USPS® is embarking on a major effort to improve the way postage and presort information is presented to them. The PostalOne!® system allows mailers to submit postage payment and presort information electronically for greater efficiency and accuracy. There are three ways to use PostalOne!: Mail.dat®, Web Services, and Postage Statement Wizard®. PostalOne! will link your mailing information electronically with Postal Service™ in order to expedite acceptance, verify payment systems, and eliminate paperwork. It also provides the Postal Service and mailers a way to manage their businesses more efficiently. In 2007 there were over 14 million postage statements entered by hand by the USPS. This is expensive to retype the data and less accurate than electronic submission. This data could be easily, accurately, and much more cost effectively entered via electronic submission to PostalOne! Benefits from PostalOne!® eDocs -Eliminate the paper forms! -Be prepared for when this becomes required in the future -Access postage data from a web browser -Faster acceptance by USPS (they won't have to hand enter the data) -Ensure accurate entry of your postage statement data into USPS systems -Eligible to participate in Intelligent Mail® **End Summary** Topics: PostalOne!]]> Intellligent Mail]]> Mail.dat]]> Wizard Web Services]]> Postage Statement Wizard]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About the Author: J. Jeffery Peoples As Founder and CEO of Window Book, Jeffery Peoples has created many innovations since 1989 that make using the Postal Service easier and more profitable for mailers and shippers. Is there anyone out there that can help with PostalOne! If you would like to have a seasoned guide walk you through the process, you can find them at www.edocexpressway.com Learn more on how you can use PostalOne! system. Visit http://www.windowbook.com/