Intelligent Mail Overview
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The Intelligent Mail® barcode is a technology platform designed to enhance postal services by providing end-to-end visibility through a combination of new barcodes and electronic documentation. It allows for automation discounts, tracking capabilities, and supports two service levels: basic and full-service, each with specific requirements for barcode usage. The document also details the transition from the Postnet barcode to the Intelligent Mail barcode and the benefits of various associated services like address correction and tracking.
Intelligent Mail Overview
- 1. Getting Ready for the Intelligent Mail® Barcode
- 2. What is Intelligent Mail®?A technology platform for the next generation of postal services, features and productsThe combination of new information-rich barcodes and electronic documentationIntended to enable end-to-end visibility of mail as it passes through the mail stream
- 3. Present and FutureMay 18, 2009 Two IM™ service levels are available: Basic and Full-ServiceBoth the POSTNET™ barcode and the Intelligent Mail barcode qualify mail for automation and presort discounts.November 29, 2009All Full-Service functionality supportedAdditional postage discounts become availableMay 2011USPS® plans to eliminate automation discounts for the POSTNET barcode
- 4. The Intelligent Mail BarcodeWhen used on letter- and flat-size mail pieces, the Intelligent Mail barcode is a height-modulated barcode that encodes 31-digits of data into 65 vertical barsEncodes the barcode ID, service type and mailing class, Mailer ID, serial number and routing code Combines the functionality of ACS™, POSTNET and PLANET Code® into one multiservice barcodeCreated during the presort process instead of the CASS™ process
- 5. Other IM Barcode Types6060 PRIMACY PKWY STE 201MEMPHIS TN 38188John Doe6449 AMBERVIEW CVMEMPHIS TN 38141-8346The distinctive four-state barcode is used on letter- and flat size mail pieces. USPS has different formats for other usesThe Intelligent Mail tray label and barcode covers trays, tubs and sacksThe Intelligent Mail container barcode covers containers, hampers, pallets, rolling stock, etc.Intelligent Mail piece barcode Intelligent Mail container barcode Intelligent Mail tray barcode
- 6. Basic Intelligent Mail BarcodeBenefitsReplaces the POSTNET™ barcode to qualify letter- and flat-sized mail pieces for Automation ratesEnables OneCode ACS® which costs less than traditional ACS™Enables OneCode Confirm®Reduces clutter on mail piecesRequirementsIM barcodes on letter- and flat-size mail pieces
- 7. Full-Service IM BarcodeAll the Benefits of Basic, PlusAutomated address correction information at no additional chargeStart-the-clock notification when USPS first scans a mailingAdditional postage discount in Nov 2009
- 8. Full-Service RequirementsUnique IM barcodes on letter- and flat-size mail piecesUnique type-specific IM barcodes on trays, sacks and containersThe combination of Mailer ID and serial number must remain unique for 45 daysElectronic documentation with drop appointments scheduled through FAST®
- 9. IM Services: OneCode ACSReturns address correction data electronicallyAvailable for letter- and flat-size mail pieces on First-Class Mail®, Standard Mail® and PeriodicalsTwo ancillary service options are availableChange Service: USPS disposes of undeliverable pieces and provides the new address or reason for non-deliveryAddress Service: USPS returns undeliverable piecesStandard Mail pieces must still have a printed endorsement
- 10. OneCode ACS vs. ACSFees for OneCode ACSFirst-Class Mail lettersFirst two notices: 2¢Per additional notice: 8¢Standard Mail lettersFirst two notices: 5¢Per additional notice: 20¢Fees for traditional ACSFirst-Class Mail: 20¢All other mail: 26¢Manual notifications: 50¢
- 11. IM Services: Full-Service ACSAvailable only on Full-Service mailingsAll the functionality of OneCode ACS, plusFirst-Class Mail: free address updatesStandard Mail: free address updates for 30 daysPeriodicals: free address updates for 60 daysAfter the time limit, fees for additional notifications are the same as OneCode ACS
- 12. IM Services: OneCode ConfirmProvides near real-time tracking information about letters and flatsTwo types of Confirm serviceDestination for outgoing mail provides notice of when mail pieces will reach a destination Origin Confirm for incoming mail provides notice of when replies, orders or payments will arriveAdditional fees apply
- 13. Get Started with Basic IMbRequest your Mailer ID through the USPS Business Customer Gateway (www.usps.com)Enter your Mailer ID into the Mailing Permit wizard in your Satori Software productIn the mail piece designer, add a barcode fieldIn the Properties pane, change the Barcode Type to IM BarcodeProvide IM barcode samples to USPS for validation
- 14. Upgrade to Full-ServicePurchase a Mail.dat user license from IDEAlliance and the Mail.dat add-on for your Satori Software productPrint test IM tray/sack and pallet labelsSubmit Mail.dat files to the USPS Test Environment for MailersWork with your MDA to achieve certificationSchedule drop appointments via the USPS Business Customer Gateway
- 15. Key BenefitsEnables the tracking of mail through the mail streamReduces impersonal codes on mail pieces— all services and routing information combined into one barcodeImproved readability for more efficient services
- 16. Additional ResourcesUSPS National Customer Support Center(http://ribbs.usps.gov)USPS Postal Explorer (http://pe.usps.gov)Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)Quick Service Guides Local USPS RepresentativeSatori Software (www.satorisoftware.com)
Editor's Notes
- #3: Intelligent Mail (IM) services cover much more than just the barcode most people will see on their mail pieces. USPS® has developed this new technology to enable end-to-end visibility and reporting on mail as it travels through the mail stream. While barcodes in the Intelligent Mail system are different depending on use (e.g., on trays, sacks, etc.), the Intelligent Mail barcode on mail pieces is the one most people will see.
- #5: This Intelligent Mail barcode contains information that identifies the service level, the mail class, the mailer ID, the mail piece, optional special services and delivery point information. It combines the functionality of ACS™, POSTNET™ and PLANET Code®into one multiservice barcode and paves the way for USPS to offer additional services in the future.