Tag: Track and Trace

Pitney Bowes launches web site focused on Intelligent Mail (R) barcode implementation

Posted by | Jan 8, 2008 | |

Recent years have seen profound changes sweeping through the
mailing industry: postal reform, shape-based pricing, and a host of
other initiatives that have forced mailers to rethink every aspect of
their strategies and operations.

This pace of change will not let up in 2008 as the industry
prepares for the next major shift: widespread deployment of the
Intelligent Mail(R) barcode requirement, a change that will be largely
invisible to consumers but that has vast implications for mailers of
all sizes.

To help these organizations learn more about the Intelligent
Mail(R) barcode and other initiatives, Pitney Bowes maintains a web
site dedicated to providing information on such major initiatives and
has now added the latest information about the Intelligent Mail(R)
barcode.

The Intelligent Mail(R) barcode is the tool that the United States
Postal Service will use to dramatically enhance its service to
mailers. The barcode has the capacity to uniquely identify every piece
of mail entering the postal system, a first for the Postal Service.
This technology will enable unprecedented visibility into the postal
network for mailers and for the Postal Service itself, opening the
door to a host of new and valuable opportunities for companies to make
their mailings even more efficient and effective. For example, the
advanced barcode will enable mailers to track all outbound statements
and inbound payments, greatly improving customer communications when
there is a question about a bill or payment.

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Hand-held mobile scanning for Courier Express at SingPost

Posted by | Jan 1, 2008 | |

With the advent of wireless communications and internet, SingPost had to face expectations for faster and better service from its customers for express parcels.

Manual tracking of express parcels, with reduced accuracy and efficiency, more human resource involvement, and paper wastage, seemed so outdated.

SingPost which provides efficient and high quality domestic and international postal services in Singapore, recognized the problem. It became determined to meet and exceed the rising customer expectations. To do this, it had to do away with its existing system (in operation until 2004) whereby the old barcode readers were outmoded and the Internet service provider providing the public wireless network was decommissioned.

SingPost consulted with its information technology partner NCS Private Limited, over a period of six months, to define the project specifications and mapped out the entire process of the project.

Bring it up to the speed

After a series of stringent equipment definitions, preliminary research and testing, the task force identified that the Intermec 760 handheld mobiles were ideal for the barcode scanning function for its Speedpost operations, based on product reliability, customer service and technical support.

These devices were manufactured by Intermec, Inc., a firm which develops, manufactures and integrates technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets

The Intermec handheld mobiles were subjected to drop tests, splash tests, battery power consumption when using GPRS (general packet radio service) connections and field barcode scanning reliability.

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USPS seeks comment on proposed uses of Intelligent Mail barcodes

Posted by | Dec 26, 2007 | |

The US Postal Service is seeking feedback on proposed rules related to the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes.

The notice is expected to be published in the Federal Register sometime in January. Once published, a 45-day comment period will begin.

The Intelligent Mail barcode was developed by the USPS to encode routing and tracking information on mail. While the PostNet barcode only contains the routing code, the Intelligent Mail barcode includes fields that identify the mailer and class of mail, encode special services, and uniquely number each mailpiece.

According to the notice, mailers will have to use one of two proposed options in order to qualify for automation prices for letters and flats as of January 2009. As of this date, automation prices will no longer be available for PostNet barcode users.

The first option, which the USPS is calling “Full Service,” will require that unique Intelligent Mail barcodes be applied to the following three categories: letter and flat mailpieces, handling units such as trays and sacks, and containers. Postage statements and mailing documentation will also need to be submitted electronically. The second option, referred to as “Basic,” will require mailers to use Intelligent Mail barcodes on mailpieces, but not on trays and containers.

In the future, the USPS plans to issue a separate notice addressing mail characteristics impacting machineability and delivery efficiency for letters and flats.

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Swiss Post innovates with virtual counter

Posted by | Dec 21, 2007 | |

Switzerland’s postal authority – Swiss Post – has put a new service online to make life easier for its customers.

The aim of the virtual counter is to give internet users faster access to the services, information and products they need.

Swiss Post says that its website currently offers no fewer than 3,000 pages in German, French and Italian – 2,000 in English – and customers may not be aware of all that is on offer.

“The virtual counter was put online on Thursday and at the moment it is innovative mainly in its design and the aspect of play,” company spokeswoman Nathalie Salamin told swissinfo.

Customers in future will have a single sign-on and the number of links will be reduced from the current 110 to about 40, the aim being to make it easier to search for information.

The virtual post office counter has eight sections – transactions, travel, franking, sending, search/find, receiving, buying and communicating.

It is aimed mainly at private clients and new functions are expected to be added next year.

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