Major/Minor Release Schedule
2013 Releases
October
Technical Specifications and Guides – including Mail.XML specs for Data Distribution, FAST, and eDocs, and USPS Mail.dat tech specs for releases 33, 24, and 35.

• DD Mail.XML 11.0D (PDF)
• DD Mail.XML 12.0A (PDF)
• DD Mail.XML 12.0B (PDF)
• eDoc Mail.XML 12.0A (PDF)
• eDoc Mail.XML 13.0A (PDF)
• eDoc Mail.XML 13.0B (PDF)
• FAST Mail.XML 12.0A (PDF)
• FAST Mail.XML 12.0B (PDF)
• FAST Mail.XML 14.0A (PDF)
• MID-CRID Mail.XML 12.0B (PDF)
• MID-CRID Mail.XML 14.0A (PDF)
• Postal Service Mail.dat Technical Specification (includes R33, R34 and 35) (PDF)

From the DMM Advisory

PostalOne!^® Release 34.1.0 Deployment — is scheduled for June 2 during the regularly scheduled maintenance window and will include several infrastructure changes. There will be a PostalOne!^® outage from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. CT on Sunday, June 2, 2013. During this outage, PostalOne! will be unavailable, including Mail.XML^®, FAST^® Web Services, and eDOC services. There are no new release notes and no new Mail.dat^® client with this release.

PostalOne! Release 34.1.0 Test Environment for Mailers (TEM) Deployment — is scheduled for Monday, June 3, 2013, and PostalOne! TEM will be unavailable from 4 a.m. through 7 a.m. CT.

From the DMM Advisory:

Upcoming Webinars for Mailers — Mail Entry and Payment Technology (MEPT) will host webinars for mailers in the next few weeks on Folded Self-Mailers (May 28, June 4 and 6), the enhanced Business Customer Gateway (May 31), and Technology Credit (June 6). Go to RIBBS/Intelligent Mail Services/Education for dates, times and log on information.

The latest issue of the PostCom Bulletin is available online. In this issue:

• The Association for Postal Commerce (“PostCom”), on behalf of the Association of Marketing Services Providers (“AMSP”), the Direct Marketing Association (“DMA”) and the Association of Magazine Media (“MPA”) have submitted comments to the Postal Regulatory Commission in Docket No R2013-6, Notice of Price Adjustment (Technology Credit Promotion). PostCom urged the Commission to reject the Postal Service’s proposal.

If you want to learn more, check your Postcom bulletin.  If you are not a Postcom member, they have a special offer up on their website so you can sample the Bulletin -

Hey! You’ve not been getting the weekly PostCom Bulletin–the best postal newsletter anywhere…bar none?  Send us by email your name, company, company title, postal and email address. Get a chance to see what you’ve been missing!

http://postcom.org/

Monday is Memorial Day, one of the 6 days each year postal facilities are required to fly the POW-MIA flag. Also, facilities that are open on Memorial Day must fly the U.S. flag at half-staff.

https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2013/05may/news23s3.htm

In FY 2012 and 2013, the U.S. Postal Service® invested $225 million to grow Mail Transport Equipment (MTE) inventories. To protect this investment, the USPS® has developed the Clean Sweep program to monitor MTE within the network. Beginning May 2013, each delivery and retail unit will be asked to perform a “clean sweep” of their facility and return any excess or improperly used MTE to circulation.

What is Considered Improper Use of MTE?

Storing or transporting items such as retail records, files, postal supplies, cleaning supplies, decorations, and tools, or using MTE as recycling bins, are some of the more common ways these valuable containers are misused. Use the service talk and the records retention table to remind employees that MTE should only be used as intended — as custom-made, automation-compatible containers.

MTEs being misused

To keep MTE in circulation and prevent misuse, the following actions should be taken:

n Count all MTE in unit, even if in use, and record these items on weekly inventory reports.

n Leave MTE Awareness posters and Stacking Standards posters displayed.

n Employees should receive service talks to promote awareness.

n Areas should be designated for needed MTE.

n Neat and organized excess MTE can be palletized for return to the plant.

n Supplies for the lobby or maintenance should not be stored in MTE containers.

n Window clerks and carriers should rubber band hold mail for customers.

n Enter a count of all MTE used for retail and BMEU records storage in weekly inventory reports.

n Examine and determine the quantity of records stored in MTE.

n Purchase alternative containers for records currently stored in MTE tubs and trays.

On February 20, 2013, an online MTE reporting system was launched nationally for Level 20 and above delivery and retail units. These facilities are now required to submit weekly inventory reports for both empty and full MTE. The report is accessed at the CSDC homepage under “Our Other Sites”. Though other levels/offices are not required to submit weekly reports, they are encouraged to participate in the Clean Sweep program through appropriate circulation and use of MTE.

What are the Advantages of Proper MTE Usage and Circulation?

> Improves the overall financial state of the USPS.

>Improves efficiency at the plants to better serve customers.

> Ensures mailers have the necessary equipment to generate revenue.

> Provides a clean, safe office environment.

> Provides additional work room space, once excess MTE is removed.

> Provides additional storage after proper disposal of any outdated records stored in MTE.

Clean Sweep Campaign

Over the next few months, we will recognize offices who return the most MTE to circulation, in proportion to their size. Results will be based on MTE reporting from May 6 – 26, 2013. All districts must submit their return reports to Headquarters by June 6 to be eligible for recognition. Before and after photos will be shown in subsequent issues of the Postal Bulletin.

via USPS Issues “Clean Sweep” of MTE in Delivery Units.

Efective May 6, 2013, the Postal Service™ revised Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®) 201.3.0 to clarify standards for folded self-mailers.

Efective January 5, 2013, the Postal Service revised mailing standards for folded self-mailers after a 2-year testing and research period. These standards were published in the January 27, 2013 version of the DMM. This article provides minor clarifications to these recent changes to allow mailers additional flexibility and remove obsolete language.

Alhough these revisions will not be published in the DMM until May 6, 2013, mailers may use these revised mailing standards immediately.

See list of DMM clarifications here:  http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2013/pb22363/html/updt_003.htm

From the Postal Bulletin -

Express Mail and Priority Mail Open and Distribute eVS Tags and Labels

Effective June 3, 2013, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®) 705.18 to include new tags and labels for Express Mail Open and Distribute™ and Priority Mail Open and Distribute™ mailings prepared under an authorized Electronic Verification System (eVS^®) manifest mailing system.

Express Mail Open and Distribute will now have a blue Tag 257-EVS, yellow Tag 267-EVS, and blue Label 257S-EVS. Priority Mail Open and Distribute will now have a green Tag 161-EVS, pink Tag 190-EVS, and pink Label 190S-EVS. The eVS version of the tags and labels will not require a postmark or signature during the acceptance and verification process. Instead, the eVS tags and labels will bear the marking “APPROVED eVS MAILER” in the space normally designated for postmark and signature.

Former Time, Inc. Director brings extensive postal operational experience to Managing Director role

WINDSOR, Conn. – May 23, 2013 – Intelisent, an industry leader in marketing operations and personalized communications, announced today that Todd Black has joined the company as Managing Director of Intelisent’s WebTrack Division. Black, a postal industry professional with extensive experience in mailing operations, postal affairs, and logistics will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the WebTrack division, including strategy and operations, customer support and the development of new products and services.

“For the past several years, through our WebTrack division, we’ve successfully focused on providing the marketplace with a robust set of mail tracking, address correction and postal-related products and services that offer a superior alternative to what they’ve had in the past,” stated Mark Mandell, CEO of Intelisent. “Todd’s industry expertise, fantastic reputation, and customer-centric attitude provide exactly the leadership and vision Intelisent’s WebTrack division needs to continue our terrific growth.”

Most recently, Black led Time, Inc.’s Postal Operations & Systems team’s day-to-day operations, including subscriber supply chain management, postage payment workflow, and system development. He also represented Time, Inc. in various technical steering committees and association memberships including Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC), Magazine Publishers of America Postal Committee (MPA), IDEAlliance Postal Operation & Technology Committee (POTC), Postal Operations Advisory Committee (POAC), and Periodical Advisory Group (PAG) strategies.

“As new markets emerge in front of us, the smart, entrepreneurial company adapts quickly and empowers its customers to lead the way. Intelisent is that company and I am thrilled to be joining its leadership team,” commented Black.

Amid the uncertainty and chaos in the U. S. Postal Service’s delivery network, the ability for marketers and their service providers to have total visibility and control of their direct marketing campaigns is more important than ever. Whether it’s targeting in-home dates, eliminating undeliverable mail or optimizing postage and production dollars, WebTrack’s customers have a powerful, innovative set of tools and services that enable them to better predict, measure and control their direct mail campaigns. By integrating traditional direct mail campaigns with offerings in email, QR codes, PURLS, and other digital channels, Intelisent continues to enhance the value of direct mail and provide the market with a broad alternative to their limited past choices.

USPS continues to monitor conditions in the Oklahoma City area following the tornado that struck the area May 20. The Moore, OK, Post Office Branch 73160/73153 sustained heavy damage and has temporarily relocated operations. Retail services are available at the Penn 89 Station, located at 9201 S. Penn Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73195. Customers who can’t receive mail in the impacted areas of ZIP Code 73160 and 73153, can pick up their mail at the Airmail Finance Unit located at 6500 Air Cargo Road, Oklahoma City, OK, 73195.

The Santa Fe Station, 73170, has restored power but is still in the process of resuming regular operations. The Santa Fe Station is offering retail services and delivering where possible. Customers who can’t receive mail in the impacted areas of ZIP Code 73170, can pick up their mail at the Santa Fe Carrier unit, located at 201 SW 134th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73170.

All drop shipments for Moore, OK, Post Office Branch and Santa Fe Station should be taken to the Oklahoma City Processing and Distribution Center, located at 4025 W. Reno, Oklahoma City, OK, 73125.

Updates will be provided as conditions change.

via Mail Service Updates.