Intelligent Mail Barcode - What's New at the Post Office

Several years ago eNews had an article about bulk mail. It’s probably time to revisit the subject because the United States Post Office (USPS) is making changes to the bulk mail barcode. Daphne Wallace, Quality Assurance Manager for the ACS R&D Department shares important information about the new Intelligent Barcode, and in a second article, passes on tips for getting started with bulk mailings.

Articles

The Intelligent Mail Barcode
Daphne Wallace

For many years now, we’ve seen barcodes on our mail pieces. Whether it’s your local newspaper, a bill from your dentist, or a postcard from your cousin on vacation in San Diego, seeing the line of tall and short bars printed above or below our mailing address is no surprise.

While the United States Post Office® offers different versions of barcodes, the most commonly seen barcode is the POSTNET™ barcode. The familiar POSTNET barcode will eventually retire, and the USPS will replace it with a new Intelligent Mail® barcode. While the retirement date for the old POSTNET barcode has not been announced, the USPS may make the switch at any time.

Read Article

Is Bulk Mailing Right for Me?
Daphne Wallace

If barcodes are so intelligent, why am I the one doing all the work?

Most processes designed to save you money involve an initial time and monetary investment. Couponing is a great example. The days when you clip a few coupons from the Sunday paper and save $1.25 from your grocery bill are over- couponing can now rival any sport or hobby. Entire web sites are devoted to matching manufacturer’s coupons with sales at your local stores. If you play the game right, you can actually get paid to buy products.
 

With all this free and greatly reduced pricing comes an investment of time and money. Many find it is worth the effort because the end result saves them money. That’s the same principle with bulk mailing. The United States Postal Service® offers lower prices for bulk mailings because you do some of the work that the Postal Service would otherwise do. The Post Office™ benefits from your work, and in return, provides a discount on your postage costs. The catch is that you must follow their rules and procedures and perform the work in the same manner they would as when you pay the normal postage rate.

Read Article

Resources

Barcode and Bulk Mail Resources