By Monica Lundquist, Window Book

In Part 4 of this series, we introduced Post-Presort software and its’ benefits. In this article, we continue the discussion of Post-Presort Software, and the reasons why it is needed in addition to Presort Software.

Manage Date of Mailings with Rate Changes

With multiple postage rate changes in a year, mailers may have to do a presort before the rate change occurs. The person making the presort needs to decide the date of mailing and if the whole mailing will make it out on that date with those rates. With post-presort software, the rates can be applied on the date of mailing. Even if part of the mailing goes out at the prior rate the rest of the mailing can go out at the new rate. This enables mailers to have more flexibility and reduce the rework or re presort.

Note: Post-presort software allows mailers the flexibility to manage mailings better during postage rate changes.

Merged Mailings & Co-palletization

Mail service providers or “consolidators” may opt to merge mailings from multiple jobs into a single, larger mailing.  This is typically done to achieve finer levels of palletization, or “co-palletization,” for drop-ship entries and their associated discounts.  Since these mailings have been Presorted at different times and places, merging these mailings and re-running the presort is impossible.  Using post-presort software is your only option at this point as it facilitates easy merging of multiple Mail.dat files from multiple jobs.

Note: Consider the delivery-time improvements and other advantages (like postage savings) of being able to convert NDC pallets into SCF pallets or convert SCF pallets into 3-dgit pallets just by using post-presort software to merge Mail.dat files.

Get updated Drop-Ship Data and Labeling List Data

Maintaining up-to-date and accurate information on Drop Ship Data and Labeling List Data is a critical part of the mailing operation.  Post-presort software can let you automatically update your database file as changes are made by the USPS.  You should be able to configure the setting and get updated information with a version numbers on a daily/weekly basis.  Having the ability to update the data electronically and automatically at a set schedule will allow mailers to reduce errors, improve distribution accuracy as well as save time and labor spent on updating each change manually.

Note: Using updated data helps mailers produced optimized mailings by making sure their handling units and containers go to the right place with the correct codes.

Postage Savings and In-Home Date Management with Drop-Ship Analysis

For mailers wishing to save postage and control the delivery window of Standard and Periodicals Mail, it is essential for them to use post-presort software to make intelligent entry plans for drop shipments.  The best post-presort software provides for analysis of Mail.dat files to compare the origin postage against the destination postage for the possible postal entry points. (i.e., Network Distribution Centers (NDC’s), Sectional Center Facilities (SCFs), Destination Delivery Units (DDU’s)).  By including the ability to take freight and other costs into account, post-presort software can offer detailed analysis and optimized planning to allow mailers to make the best choices possible for where to drop ship their mail.  Once drop-ship entry plans are determined, post-presort software can further produce all pertinent documentation required for drop shipping, such as clearance documents (8125’s), postage statements, production and loading reports, and pallet placards.

Note: Using post-presort software can help you generate and manage Intelligent

Mail Full Service IMb requirement easily for trays and pallets.

Window Book, Inc.

300 Franklin Street

Cambridge, MA 02139-3781

Ph: 800-524-0380

Fax: 617-395-5900

www.windowbook.com

postalspecialist@windowbook.com