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Intelligent Mail – Importance and Vision

February 5, 2003

MTAC Briefing

Charles Bravo, Sr. V.P. Intelligent Mail and Address Quality (IMAQ)

Gary Reblin, Manager IMAQ Planning and Standards

IMAQ

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USPS Objective

Intelligent Mail and Address Quality

Transformation Plan – “The Postal Service must find ways to use existing resources to

generate new revenues to offset anticipated losses from electronic diversion. Our

products and services must also be flexible enough to adapt to 21st century technological

advances.”

• Leverage existing infrastructure to provide information

• Pursue value-added services and enhance current

product offerings

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Example

Sample code location

Intelligent Mail and Address Quality

“One Code Vision”

Vision

Use one code on a mail piece to uniquely

identify and track that mail piece

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Existing Market Research has provided insight into mailer needs

– Participants:

– Marketing, Fulfillment, Financial decision-makers

– Findings:

– Value to tracking and tracing information

– Existing infrastructure needs to be considered

– Simple web-based solutions are needed to reach small and mid-sized businesses

– Services should be flexible to adapt to unique needs

– Price sensitivity towards intelligent mail

Use MTAC sub-committee research and findings

Align USPS, Mailer and Customer Needs

Intelligent Mail and Address Quality

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Identify Opportunities

– Provide additional value to product and services

– Minimize additional costs for everyone

– Incorporate privacy and security features

– Resolve service performance problems

Upgrade Infrastructure

Standardize Mail Piece Coding

First StepsIntelligent Mail and Address Quality

Develop cost-effective phased strategy

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Data Acquisition

– Standardized technology

– Offer competitive product offerings

– Near real time signature confirmation

Action: Mail Piece Scanning

Intelligent Mail and Address Quality

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Action: Mail Visibility Leads to Service

Intelligent Mail and Address Quality

Entry ScansEntry Scans TrackingTrackingInformationInformation

ServiceServiceInformationInformation

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Form PS 3152-A PLANET Code

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Action: Reduce Postal Processing Costs

Leverage new advances in parcel sorting automation, Postal Automated Redirection System:

– Provide routing information in the current codes

– Click-n-Ship

– Returns

– Provide database link with ACS information

– Participant identification

Intelligent Mail and Address Quality

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Integrated Data Server

RCR

AFCS

DBCS

MLOCR

FSM881

UFSM1000AFSM100

SPC CSBCS

MPI LAN

OUT TO DISTRICT SERVER

P&DC

STATION/ASSOCIATE OFFICE

ETC

Create Infrastructure to offer near real-time flow of plant data

• Drive down future program and future investment costs

Intelligent Mail and Address Quality

Action: Shared Infrastructure

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Migrate to a “One Code” vision by consolidating existing identifiers where possible.

Work to upgrade infrastructure to provide near real time information

Keep sight of the customers’ business needs to further our understanding of the feasibility of various strategies and alternatives.

Summary

Intelligent Mail and Address Quality