Getting Started with Full-ServiceNational PCC Day

September 20, 2013

William P. LundyUSPS Headquarters

Agenda

Todays topics:– Describe concepts of Intelligent Mail– Understand the requirements for Full-Service

Intelligent Mail– Understand the benefits of Full-Service

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Background of Intelligent Mail®

• In 2009 the Postal Service began offering the mailing industry two Intelligent Mail options for automation discounts:

Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb)

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Mail Eligible for Full-Service

• Effective January 26, 2014, use of Full-Service Intelligent Mail is required to qualify for automation prices for – First-Class Mail® postcards, letters and flats

– Standard Mail® letters and flats

– Periodicals letters and flats

– Bound Printed Matter flats

• On April 18, 2013 the Postal Service posted the Final Rule Federal Register Notice which outlines the requirement for January 2014– This Federal Register Final Notice can be reviewed in its

entirety by visiting the website federalregister.gov

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What is Intelligent Mail?

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Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb)

Intelligent Mail Tray barcode (IMtb)

Intelligent Mail Container barcode (IMcb)

The Intelligent Mail Service uses information-rich barcodes and electronic documentation, providing valuable services that enhance business operations such as marketing, financials and customer support

SCF SAN FRANCISCO CA940

STD FLTS SCF BC/NBCXYZ CORPORATIONINTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN

(Mailer Area)

Under the Full-Service option, most mailers are required to use unique Intelligent Mail barcodes for mailpieces and handling units (trays or sacks) and keep those barcodes unique for 45 days.

MID

CRIDCRID

MID

Permit

Permit

Permit

PAYMENT METHOD

MAILER IDENTIFICATION

CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION

Permit - permission to use a certain postage payment method for bulk and commercial mailings. For commercial mailings, an annual fee applies.

CRID - unique ID number used by USPS to identify a customer’s physical business location (address).

MID - A six- or nine-digit number the USPS assigns to a Mail Owner or Mail Service Provider based on calendar-year mail volume

Common Full-Service Terminology

There can only be one CRID for each physical

business location. However, there can be multiple Permits and

MIDs associated to the one CRID.

ABC Company

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• Electronic documentation allows mailers to submit electronic data and information about their mailings and payment through the PostalOne! system – Expedites acceptance and payment verification

• Electronic Documentation is required for all Full-Service mailings

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Common Full-Service Terminology

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• Most Full-Service mailings must use unique barcodes that don’t repeat for 45 days from the date the mailing is accepted into the mailstream– Exception: For mailings less than 10,000 pieces, mailers

may use Identical Barcode Serial Numbers within a single mailing but must maintain uniqueness across mailings for 45 days if:

• Postage is affixed to the piece at the correct price OR• All mailpieces are identical weight and separated by price

Mailpiece

Handling Unit

Common Full-Service Terminology

Full-Service Requirements

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There are two major components to Full-Service: the Intelligent Mail barcode and Electronic Documentation

Intelligent Mailpiece Barcode

TRACKING CODE ROUTING CODE

Barcode Uniqueness

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Service Type Identifier Requirement

• The Service Type ID is a 3-digit code to identify the class of mail and any additional or special services requested for the mailpiece– Must be provided in the IMb – Must be contained in the eDoc

– A table of Service Type IDs is available on RIBBS: ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailmailpieces

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IMb on Mailpiece

MID/CRID Requirement

Valid MIDs and CRIDs are required for Full-ServiceValid MIDs and CRIDs are required for Full-Service

• MIDs (Mailer IDs) are unique ID numbers assigned by USPS to identify a specific mail owner, mailing agent, or other service provider– MIDs are used in both the Intelligent Mail barcode as well as

mailers’ electronic documentation

• Each MID is linked to a CRIDCRID (Customer Registration ID), which represents a specific business location

• MIDs and CRIDs are used to identify the BY/FORBY/FOR relationship in a mailing– Mail is prepared BYBY the Mail Preparer– Mail is prepared FORFOR the Mail Owner

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As a New Customer, how do I obtain a single MID?

• When creating a new business account on the Business Customer Gateway (BCG), a MID and CRID will automatically be assigned for that business location – Log-on to the Business

Customer Gateway to access all online services. https://gateway.usps.com

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Unique Intelligent Mail Tray Barcode for Handling Units (IMtb)

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Under the Full-Service option, most mailers are required to use a unique Intelligent Mail® tray barcode on all handling units (trays or sacks) and keep this barcode unique for 45 days.

Barcode Uniqueness

Unique Intelligent Mail Container Barcodes (IMcb)

MAILER IDEXAMPLE:

USPS ASSIGNED, Ex: 2034Z

SERIAL NUMBER

EXAMPLE:Mailer Assigned,

Ex: 200800000001

SCF SAN FRANCISCO CA940

STD FLTS SCF BC/NBCXYZ CORPORATIONINTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN

(Mailer Area)

Under the Full-Service option, most mailers are required to use a unique Intelligent Mail® container barcode on the Intelligent Mail® container placard and keep this barcode unique for 45 days.

Barcode Uniqueness

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Container Placard

• Container Placards are usually required for Full-Service mailings but there are some exceptions

• When discussing the exceptions, the following terms are important to understand:– BMEUBMEU: mailings presented by a customer at a

BMEU– Processing FacilityProcessing Facility: mailings verified at a BMEU

but given back to mailer to be taken to a processing facility

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When is a container placard required for Full-Service?Entering mail at the BMEU - First-Class Mail Letters & Flats

Small volumemailing

Mailer separates mail into different containers by destination

Mailer does not separate mail into

different containers by

destination

Container with Unique

Placard

No Container Placard

Required

Letters•Less than 48 1-foot trays•Less than 24 2-foot traysFlats•Less than 16 tubs

First-Class Mail Separations

Origin MDX SurfaceMixed ADC Air

5-digitOrigin SCFSCFAADCADC

No Container Placard

Required

Container with Unique

Placard

HIGH VOLUME MAILING

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Mailer has a CSA

Small volumemailing

The mailing is larger than the

minimum

Mailer has a CSA

Small Volume Mailing in an APC Letters•Less than 48 1-foot trays•Less than 24 2-foot traysFlats•Less than 16 tubs

OR

Small Volume Mailing on a PalletLetters•Less than 72 1-foot trays•Less than 36 2-foot traysFlats•Less than 24 tubs

Container with Unique

Placard

No Container Placard

Required

Container with Unique

Placard

Entering Mail at the processing facility - First-Class Mail Letters & Flats

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Mailing is small and mailer does not

separate mail into different containers

by destination

Mailing is small and mailer separates mail into different

containers by destination (OPTIONAL)

Mailing is more than 500 pounds of bundles/sacks or 72 1-foot trays

250-499 pounds of bundles/sacks or 36-71 1-foot trays OR

100-249 pounds of bundles/sacks or 12-35 1-foot trays, AND

entering mail at a co-located BMEU within service area for the mail OR

Container with Unique

Placard

No Container Placard

Required

Container with Unique

Placard

Under 100 pounds of bundles/sacks or 35 1-foot trays, AND

entering flats claiming DDU rate

Small Mailing•Less than 500 pounds of bundles/sacks•Less than 72 1-foot trays

Full-Service Standard Mail, Periodicals, BPM Letters & Flats At the BMEU

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What is Electronic Documentation (eDoc)?

• Electronic documentation allows mailers to submit postage statements and qualification reports electronically through the PostalOne! system

• The 4 Options for submitting electronic documentation are:

• Mail.dat• Mail.XML• Postal Wizard• Intelligent Mail for Small Business (IMsb) Tool

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Available eDoc Technologies

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Full-Service Mailing Solutions

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• Mailing software vendors offer easy, ready-to-go solutions for preparing and submitting Full-Service mailings.- Mail.dat/Mail.XML: software solutions for mailers who wish

to use software to prepare presort mailings, generate unique barcodes, and submit mailing information electronically to USPS.

- Postal Wizard: software solution which allow mailers to presort mail and generate unique barcodes, but require the mailer to enter the postage statement information online via the online Postal Wizard tool.

For additional details, reference the RIBBS Certifications > eDoc & Full-Service page:https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=electronicdoc

Commercial Mailing Software VendorsCommercial Mailing Software Vendors

• For a list of software vendors that offer dynamic Full-Service solutions and have tested them with USPS, reference the following documents on RIBBS:

Full-Service Mailing Solutions

Commercial Mailing Software Vendors (Cont’d)Commercial Mailing Software Vendors (Cont’d)

– The summary list is a one-page document which identifies the three types of presort software and which vendors offer each type

• Also identifies the specific submission methods and classes of mail that are supported by each vendor

– The detailed list is an Excel vendor matrix which provides more in-depth details about the capabilities and offerings of each software vendor

– Mailers using a product on one of these lists can start mailing in production without additional testing in the Test Environment for Mailers (TEM). Mail Owners and Mail Service Providers who wish to validate a Full-Service test mailing can do so by submitting a single file through TEM instructions on the fact sheet located on RIBBS: http://ribbs.usps.gov/electronicdoc/documents/tech_guides/TEMProcessMailingsMail.dat_Mail.XML.pdf

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Full-Service Mailing Solutions (Cont’d)

• Mail Service Providers (MSPs)Mail Service Providers (MSPs)

– Offer a wide variety of services for Mail Owners– Talk to your MSP to learn more about the Full-Service solutions they offer– There are many advantages of using an MSP to prepare your mailings.

Some of the services an MSP can provide include: • provide/manage your address list• print and/or presort your mailing • enter your mailing with the greatest discounts possible • manage your feedback such as ACS • monitor mail quality reports

• USPS Intelligent Mail for Small Business (IMsb) ToolUSPS Intelligent Mail for Small Business (IMsb) Tool

– Online tool to help small business mailers prepare Full-Service mailings with Intelligent Mail barcodes and tray labels

– For mailers who mail less than 10,000 pieces per mailing and less than 250,000 pieces annually

– To learn more about the IMsb tool and how to get started, reference the IMsb user guide on RIBBS:

• https://ribbs.usps.gov/intelligentmail_guides/documents/tech_guides/IMsbUserGuide.pdf

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Full-Service Benefits

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Reduce CostsReduce Costs• Receive automation price discounts• Eliminate permit fees• Use the same permit at any location

Address CorrectionAddress Correction

• Address correction on Full-Service pieces

Monitor ServiceMonitor Service• Start-the-Clock on Mail Entry• Visibility and Tracking

Types of Full-Service Information• Full-Service Intelligent Mail provides

mailers information on the flow of their mail

• Feedback is available through a variety of methods, including online reports and electronic data exchange

Start-the-Clock Container, Tray, Bundle Scan Data Full-Service ACS IMb Tracing

Information Benefits of Using Full-Service

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Overview• Start-the-Clock is the time that USPS has

taken possession of the mail – The starting point at which the mail will be

measured against the appropriate service standards

• Mailers can use Start-the-Clock data to anticipate when their mail will be delivered

27Start-the-Clock Container, Tray,

Bundle Scan Data Full-Service ACS IMb Tracing

Information Benefits of Using Full-Service

Overview• Container, Tray and Bundle scan data

allows mailers to view scans as containers, trays and bundles are moved through the USPS mail stream

• Mailers can use this data to anticipate when their mail will be delivered or issues encountered during processing

28Start-the-Clock Container, Tray,

Bundle Scan Data Full-Service ACS IMb Tracing

Information Benefits of Using Full-Service

Overview• Full-Service ACS data is provided at no charge• Reduces time in updating the mailer’s address

list• ACS Change of Address

– This data can be used to determine when mailpieces are being sent to a recipient who has triggered an address change

• ACS Nixie– This data can be used to determine when a mailpiece

has been sent to an invalid address

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Information Benefits of Using Full-Service

Start-the-Clock Container, Tray, Bundle Scan Data Full-Service ACS IMb Tracing

Overview• IMb Tracing is provided for Full-Service

Intelligent Mail at no charge• Mailers can use IMb Tracing data:

– To anticipate when mailpieces will be delivered to their customers

– For reply mail, to gain insight into when a customer’s response is on the way to the mailer

30Start-the-Clock Container, Tray,

Bundle Scan Data Full-Service ACS IMb Tracing

Information Benefits of Using Full-Service

Online Reports and Downloads• No programming required, but manual process• View reports, download files

Mail.XML Electronic Data Exchange• Programming required, but can be automated• “Push” or “Pull” or combination

File Transfer• File Transfer Protocol (by FTP), only for IMb Tracing

31Start-the-Clock Container, Tray,

Bundle Scan Data Full-Service ACS IMb Tracing

Ways to Obtain Full-Service Information

Online

Mail.XML

File Transfer

Start-the-ClockContainer, Tray,

Bundle Scan Data

Full-Service ACS IMb Tracing

Information Benefits of Using Full-Service

Way

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Rec

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Ful

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Info

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Business Customer Gateway Mail Tracking Website

Summary

Online

Mail.XML

File Transfer

Start-the-Clock Full-Service ACS IMb Tracing

Information Benefits of Using Full-Service

Way

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Rec

eive

Ful

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Info

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Business Customer Gateway

Ways to Receive Full-Service Information – Online BCG

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Container, Tray, Bundle Scan

Data

Go to the Business Customer Gateway at https://gateway.usps.com

Download Online Reports – BCG

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1

Login Information: Enter your username and password.

2

Select Mailing Reports (PostalOne!) under Tools & Wizard

3

Ways to Receive Full-Service Information

Online – Business Customer Gateway

• The Online and Downloadable Reports page provides a summary of data available along with links to view specific reports or to download data

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Online – Business Customer Gateway

Full-Service ACSContainer, Tray, Bundle Scan DataStart-the-Clock

Ways to Receive Full-Service Information

About Full-Service Start-the-Clock• A delivery service performance measurement that begins

when a mailer or mail service provider turns the mail over to the USPS

• Mailers can use Start-the-Clock information to anticipate when their mail will be delivered

• Date when mailing was inducted for Day Zero Processing• Start-the-Clock Day Zero applies to all mail received prior

to Critical Acceptance Time (CAT)• Data provided to Mail Owner and Mail Preparer• Available after the mail has been verified and accepted

by USPS

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Types of Information Start-the-ClockOnline – BCG

Calculating Start-the-Clock• The calculation to determine which day the clock starts

will depend on which induction method is used by the mailer:1. Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) or Post Office: Origin Entry

• Time of mail arrival at the entry unit

2. Plant Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS): Destination Entry• FAST appointment and arrival times, SV scan time

3. Detached Mail Unit (DMU) Verified, Mailer Transported: Origin Entry• FAST appointment and arrival times, SV scan time

4. DMU Verified, USPS Transported: Origin Entry• SV scan time and Ship date in mailer’s eDoc

Start-the-ClockTypes of Information

Full-Service Start-the-Clock Report

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Start-the-ClockTypes of Information

About Container, Tray and Bundle Scan Data

• Scan events are captured as USPS accepts and processes mail that includes IMcb (Intelligent Mail container barcode) or IMtb (Intelligent Mail tray barcode)

• Mailers can use scan data to anticipate when their mail will be delivered or issues encountered during processing

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Container, Tray, Bundle Scan DataTypes of InformationOnline – BCG

Container and Tray Scans• Scan events are captured as USPS accepts and

processes mail that includes IMcb (Intelligent Mail container barcode) or IMtb (Intelligent Mail tray barcode).

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Containers Trays

Full-Service eDoc Received Full-Service eDoc Received

Scans captured at induction Scans captured as trays are processed by USPS at a plant

Scans captured as pallets are transported

Scans captured as trays are transported via surface routes

Scans captured as trays are transported via air routes

Container, Tray, Bundle Scan DataTypes of Information

Container, Tray and Bundle Scan Data Reports

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Container, Tray, Bundle Scan DataTypes of Information

About Full-Service ACS• This data can be used to determine when a

mailpiece has been sent to an invalid address• Change of Address (COA) detail records provide

new and old address information so a mailer can update their mailing list

• Nixie detail records provides the undeliverable address and reason why the mailpiece was undeliverable

• Only provided for Full-Service qualifying pieces

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Full-Service ACSTypes of InformationOnline – BCG

What is needed to obtain Full-Service ACS?

1. eDoc must be submitted for mailing

2. Ancillary Service Endorsement on each mailpiece

3. Intelligent Mail barcode for mailpiece must contain a Full-Service ACS service type code

4. Unique Intelligent Mail barcodes on mailpieces, handling units (trays and sacks) and containers

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Full-Service ACSTypes of Information

Download ACS Data

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Full-Service ACSTypes of Information

ACS – Change of Address

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Full-Service ACSTypes of Information

Nixie Report

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Full-Service ACSTypes of Information

Online

Mail.XML

File Transfer

Start-the-ClockContainer, Tray,

Bundle Scan Data

Full-Service ACS IMb Tracing

Information Benefits of Using Full-Service

Way

s to

Rec

eive

Ful

l-Ser

vice

Info

rmati

onWays to Obtain Full-Service Information – Mail Tracking Website

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OnlineMail

Tracking Website

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Online – Mail Tracking Website

IMb TracingTypes of Information

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• IMb Tracing is a service for Full-Service at no charge• It provides the ability to track mail and predict delivery

dates• To use IMb Tracing, mailers must first subscribe to the

service via the Mail Tracking and Reporting website• Mailers are able to indicate the service requested for

each mailpiece by embedding a code, the Service Type ID code, within the IMb

IMb Tracing

IMb Tracing

Intelligent Mail barcode

Types of Information

IMb Tracing• Under the IMb Tracing Service, as mailpieces are processed,

electronic records are created and sent to the mailer

• Via transmissions from the IMb Tracing system to the mailer’s File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server

• Customers sign up via the Mail Tracking and Reporting website

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IMb Tracing

22081,896,02/29/2013 11:20:50,57401317223,0004001234599001910222081,896,02/29/2013 11:20:51,57401246401,0004001234599001910122081,896,02/29/2013 11:20:53,57446009797,0004001234599001910422081,896,02/29/2013 11:20:54,57454 ,0004001234599001910322081,896,02/29/2013 11:20:56,574623010 ,00040012345990019106

Types of Information

Facility ID (ZIP)22081

Scan Date & Time02/29/2013 11:20:50

Tracking Code00040012345990019102

Routing Code57401317223

Operation Code896

Intelligent Mail Technical Specifications• Postal Service Mail.dat Technical Specification

https://ribbs.usps.gov/intelligentmail_schedule2013/releases/april2013/docs/techspecs/PostaloneMaildatTechSpecR32_33_34.pdf

• Postal Service Mail.XML Technical Specificationhttps://ribbs.usps.gov/intelligentmail_guides/documents/tech_guides/xmlspec/xmlspec.htm

–Mail.XML Profiles and Full Service Feedback (Data Distribution- DD) • https://ribbs.usps.gov/intelligentmail_schedule2013/releases/april2013/docs/

techspecs/MailXMLDataDistribution12B.pdf

–Mail.XML Technical Specification for Appointment Scheduling 12.0B • https://ribbs.usps.gov/intelligentmail_schedule2013/releases/april2013/docs/

techspecs/MailXMLFAST12B.pdf

–Mail.XML Technical Specification for Profiles and Full Service Feedback 13.0A

• https://ribbs.usps.gov/intelligentmail_schedule2013/releases/april2013/docs/techspecs/MailXMLeDoc13A.pdf

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Resources

Business Customer Gateway• BCG can be reached from a link on the footer of USPS.com

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• Direct URL: https://gateway.usps.com/

Resources

IMb Tracing References

• General Information, Reporting & Tracking:http://mailtracking.usps.com

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Resources

Webinar Schedule

Webinar Dates Webinar Title Webinar Description

September 16, 2013, 1:30 pm Eastern

Full-Service MIDs and CRIDs

Focus will be on Customer Registration IDs (CRIDs), Mailer IDs (MIDs), and how you can obtain MIDs and CRIDs. You will learn about the multiple ways Mail Owners and Mail Preparers can acquire an MID, when and how it is used in the Intelligent Mail barcode, electronic mailing information and receipt of Full-Service data.

September 19, 2013, 1:30 pm Eastern

Getting Started with Full-Service

To assist mailers in migrating to Full-Service Intelligent Mail so they can continue to take advantage of automation pricing on or after January 26, 2014, this webinar will provide an understanding of how you can continue to take advantage of automation pricing.  The webinar will cover basic Full-Service terminology and the steps for migration to the Intelligent Mail barcode. You will learn the building blocks for creating the Intelligent Mail barcode; This includes obtaining a Mailer ID, knowledge on the different Service Type Codes and how to use for your mailing needs.

September 23, 2013, 1:30 pm Eastern

The Business Customer Gateway

The Business Customer Gateway provides a single entry point for Postal Service® online business services. This webinar will highlight the new features of the newly designed Business Customer Gateway including the new simplified registration process, automatic creation of 9-digit MID when creating a new user account and additional functionality for MSPs.

September 30, 2012, 1:30 pm Eastern

Full-Service Feedback

Learn how to reap the benefits of Intelligent Mail and Full-Service feedback.  This webinar will cover Service Type IDs (STIDs) and how they can help you keep your address list up to date, the various Full-Service feedback reports available and where you can find them.

The United States Postal Service is offering a series of webinars designed to assist Mail Owners and Mail Preparers in moving to Full-Service. The webinars will also be offered in October and November 2013. The webinar information will be posted at : https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailpresentations

As a reminder, a Full-Service “Open-Line” call is scheduled for every Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM eastern. USPS representatives will be online to answer any questions related to Full-Service Intelligent Mail.

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