Its Time for Intelligent Mail All About the Barcodes

1
Its Time for Intelligent MailAll About the
Barcodes

• Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008

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Agenda

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

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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

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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
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POSTNET Overview

• Since the 80s, mailers have applied the POSTNET
  barcode to mailpieces

5-digit ZIP Code
Delivery Point
ZIP4 Code
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POSTNET Overview

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

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POSTNET Overview

• The POSTNET is great. However, it only contains
  information about the mailpieces final
  destination. No other information about the
  mailpiece can be included.

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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
POSTNET Code for Sortation
PLANET Code for CONFIRM Service
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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
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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
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Intelligent Mail Barcode Overview

• And so, in 2006, the Postal Service introduced
  the Intelligent Mail barcode to mailers

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Whats 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
Routing Code Ex 6449 Amberview Ct., Memphis, TN
38141834649
Serial Number Ex 200800001 Mailer assigned
Remember The POSTNET contains only Delivery
Point information
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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
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Intelligent Mail Barcode Specifications

• 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

F A T D
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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

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

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Tray Barcode - Overview

• Whats 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
Serial Number Ex20080001 Mailer Assigned
Mailer ID Ex 123456 USPS Assigned
Label Type Ex 1 for 6-digit MID
The former tray barcode only contained delivery
point information
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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

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Intelligent Mail Container barcode Overview

• Whats 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
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Agenda

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

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What you need

• Its easy to generate the suite of Intelligent
  Mail barcodes. Heres what youll 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

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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

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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
Routing Code 6449 Amberview Ct Memphis, TN
38141834649
Serial Number Mailer Assigned Ex 200800001
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Encode the Barcode
2

• Next, encoding software is used to transform the
  31-digits into the barcode payload

5070012345620080000138141834649
Apply Encoding Algorithm
DADTATFFAFFTTTAFTAFDADFDDDDDTAFFDAAFFDAFDDFFTADFTF
TTFDAAFTFTADTTT
To download encoders and user guides visit
http//RIBBS.USPS.GOV/ONECODESOLUTION
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PRINT
3

• Then, simply apply the Intelligent Mail font to
  the encoded string, and PRINT

DADTATFFAFFTTTAFTAFDADFDDDDDTAFFDAAFFDAFDDFFTADFTF
TTFDAAFTFTADTTT
USPS or Vendor Developed Font
Print Intelligent Mail barcode
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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!!!
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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
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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
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Intelligent Mail Container Label
8" x 11"

• Affix the 8"x11" label and the 4"x7" adhesive
  label on the outside of the shrinkwrap or
  container

4" x 7"
The 8x11 label is the minimum size!
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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
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Agenda

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

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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

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Agenda

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

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Uniqueness

• For the Full-Service Option, mailers are required
  to maintain unique mailpiece, tray, and container
  barcodes for 45 days
• Managing uniqueness can be complex

• Key considerations
• How will uniqueness be driven?
• Who will manage uniqueness?
• Will uniqueness be managed centrally?

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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 Youll need to link Address Correction
  information to mailpieces and mailings without
  using Keyline information

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Agenda

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

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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

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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

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Managing A Single Mailer ID

• Most mailers will need to manage a single Mailer
  ID
• Use only your own Mailer ID its 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
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Agenda

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

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Validating Intelligent Mail Barcodes

• Manual Tools
• Visual Inspection
• Plastic Templates
• Optical Comparator
• Software
• Online Encoder/Decoder
• Scanners and Verifiers
• Local postal resources

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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

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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)

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

• Scanners and Verifiers
• The Culver Group
• HHP4600 Area Imager
• Videk
• VisionSensor 2030 and PostnetVerifier
• BCC Software (A BÖWE BELLHOWELL 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
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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

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When is the Right Time for you to Implement
Intelligent Mail?
The Time is NOW