To our valued Customer:
The United States Postal ServiceŪ (USPSŪ) has rolled out the next phase of Intelligent MailŪ services. Intelligent Mail services offer mailers the Postal Service’s next-generation mail delivery information processing.
Intelligent Mail services are built around a new barcode format that will be used on mailpieces, handling units (trays and sacks) and containers. As explained in detail over the next several pages, these Intelligent Mail barcodes carry more information and enable more services than the barcodes used today.
The Intelligent Mail barcode for mailpieces includes the same routing information as the POSTNET barcode, but with four new data fields added. These new fields enable a mailer to combine several pieces of text-based information into one barcode line.
The Intelligent Mail barcode for mailpieces is a 31-character data string that converts into 65 bars of 4 different heights. (Unlike the POSTNET barcode the Intelligent Mail barcode is always 65 bars, regardless of ZIP Code length, and does not require a check-digit or framing bars.) The 31-character data string contains a 20-character Tracking Code and an 11-character Routing Code.
With the implementation of the next phase of Intelligent MailŪ services, the Postal Service™ will be offering two different service options for mailers to choose from: Basic and Full-Service. World Marketing is proud to be a certified Full Service facility, authorized to utilize Intelligent Mail Bar Coding (IMB).
Now that you have a basic understanding of what Intelligent Mail services are and some of the options, requirements and benefits, it’s time to get started on your own Intelligent Mail service plans. USPS has developed, and has made available at no charge, an extensive library of encoding software and fonts suitable for encoding and printing the Intelligent Mail barcode in mail production environments using numerous operating systems and printing architectures. These resources are available at http://ribbs.usps.gov/. To help you with encoding and decoding Intelligent Mail barcodes, the USPS offers an on-line Intelligent MailŪ barcode encoder and decoder. You can access these tools at http://ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/.
In order to best serve you, the attached tools have been created to provide additional information about Intelligent MailŪ services. You will find fundamental information on what IMB services offer and require, Intelligent Mail barcodes and their benefits, the two service level options being offered, how to get started with Intelligent Mail services and where to find additional resources to help you.
Please contact your Account Services Representative with any questions.
As always, thank you for the opportunity to be of service.
World Marketing, Inc.
Resources Available to Implement Intelligent MailŪ Services
Detailed Information on the Basic and Full-Service Options
There are several resources available to help you get started using Intelligent Mail services, many of which can be reviewed by visiting our website at http://ribbs.usps.gov/.
The RIBBS™ Website
The USPSŪ provides a number of technical and non-technical guides, informative documents and presentations, and other helpful tools to make it easier for you to take full advantage of the suite of Intelligent MailŪ barcodes. These valuable resources can be found on the USPS RIBBS™ website http://ribbs.usps.gov/.
Guides, Specifications and Manuals
For those new to Intelligent Mail services, there several guides, specifications and manuals that will get you started and give a broad overview of the fundamentals of the program. Following is a list of primary sources of information.
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
The Domestic Mail Manual is the USPS manual that contains the basic standards governing U.S. domestic mail services, descriptions of the mail classes and special services and conditions governing their uses, and standards for rate eligibility and mail preparation. Domestic mail is classified by size, weight, content, service, and other factors.
Federal Register Notice/ Vol. 73, No. 163/, August 21, 2008: Implementation of New Standards for Intelligent Mail Barcodes
The Federal Register Notice outlines the key elements of the Basic and Full-Service Intelligent Mail barcode options. It also provides a timeline and the requirements for using Intelligent Mail services. The Federal Register Notice can be found at http://ribbs.usps.gov/.
A Beginners Overview to Intelligent Mail Services
In this Guide, A Beginners Overview to Intelligent Mail Services, you will find fundamental information on what Intelligent Mail services offer and require, Intelligent Mail barcodes and their benefits, the two service level options being offered, how to get started with Intelligent Mail services and where to find additional resources to help you. A Beginners Overview to Intelligent Mail Services can be found at http://ribbs.usps.gov/.
A Guide to Intelligent MailŪ for Letters and Flats
A Guide to Intelligent Mail for Letters and Flats provides guidance on how to prepare your mail and electronic documentation and identifies the data that will be provided at no additional charge for Full-Service option compliance. In addition, the Guide also describes what will be available in the first release of Intelligent MailŪ services. A Guide to Intelligent Mail for Letters and Flats can be found at http://ribbs.usps.gov/.
Electronic Documentation and Intelligent Mail; Ready, Set, Go!
Electronic Documentation and Intelligent Mail; Ready, Set, Go! Guide provides clear guidance on how to transition to Intelligent Mail services using either the Basic of Full-Service options. It also describes how to migrate from existing electronic documentation options to the new Full-Service option capabilities. Electronic Documentation and Intelligent Mail; Ready, Set, Go! Guide can be found at http://ribbs.usps.gov/.
PostalOne! Mail.dat Technical Specification
The PostalOne! Mail.dat Technical Specification provides detailed specifications for how to populate your Mail.dat 09.1 files to comply with the requirements for the Full-Service option. This technical specification explains the eDoc, postage, and induction requirements on how to use Mail.dat with the PostalOne! system The PostalOne! Mail.dat Technical Specification can be found at http://ribbs.usps.gov/.
PostalOne! Mail.XML Technical Specification
The PostalOne! Mail.XML Technical Specification outlines the specifications for the messages used to send and receive data from PostalOne!. This technical specification explains FAST appointment scheduling, Full Service Data Distribution (Change of Address (COA), Nixie, Start-The-Clock, and Container Visibility), eDoc postage and electronic induction status management through Mail.XML messaging. The PostalOne! Mail.XML Technical Specification can be found at http://ribbs.usps.gov/.
Personal Support Resources
In addition to the guides and specifications listed above, you can also get help from USPS Intelligent MailŪ service experts. To find your local Business Mail Entry (BME) Manager, go to: http://www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/
To find your local Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA), go to: http://pe.usps.com/mpdesign/
OneCode ConfirmŪ Learn about the Intelligent Mail barcode format for OneCode Confirm by reviewing the Confirm Service Featuring OneCode Confirm User Guide (Pub. 197). For more information on the Confirm service, please call the Confirm Customer Help Desk at 800-238-3150, option 1 or visit https://mailtracking.usps.com.
OneCode ACSŪ Learn how the process works, the features available, and mailer requirements to receive electronic address corrections using the Intelligent Mail barcode. Downloadable OneCode ACS application and fulfillment access forms.
For more information on the OneCode ACS, please contact the ACS Department via email at acs@usps.gov or by phone at 877-640-0724.
To contact the PostalOne! Help Desk call 1-800-522-9085.
