USPS – Mail Tracking and Reporting – Notification Message.

For Immediate Release – USPS Extends support of EMD

To our valued Confirm customers:

This message pertains to the transition from Confirm-based Pre-shipment Notification, i.e., Electronic Mailing Data (EMD) files, to Intelligent Mail Full-Service “Start-the-Clock” or Facility Access and Shipment Tracking (FAST) system appointment closeout information for shipments. The Postal Service has extended the cut-off date to support EMD files to May 14, 2010. During this additional 60-day timeframe, the Postal Service will conduct a series of webinars to inform customers as to how they can utilize FAST to create appointments and to obtain appointment closeout information for shipments.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. If you have any questions, please contact the NCSC.

Thanks,
USPS-National Customer Support Center
Confirm Customer Assistance
confirm@usps.gov
Phone: 1-800-238-3150 option 1

The USPS sent out official notice today that the EMD Electronic Mailing Data scans that are part of Confirm, due to be prematurely retired without alternative, will remain as an active part of the USPS Confirm tracking program through at least May.  The Postal Service also reiterated that they will be holding webinars to teach Confirm subscribers how to use FAST data to replace the functionality of EMD.

Although Confirm subscribers  are grateful that the USPS has granted another exception, they are still way off the mark in thinking FAST data is a suitable replacement.  We’ll keep trying to educate them.  This saga continues..

The USPS will continue to provide Electronic Mailing Data (EMD) information to Confirm subscribers through March 14, 2010.  Originally slated to be discontinued as of today, Confirm users and prospects have been able to convince the USPS that they find the scan information valuable and use the information in their business processes.  EMD information gives mailers another point of reference as to where in USPS supply chain their mail shipments are.  We will continue to educate and lobby the USPS to provide the EMD scan information as long as possible, at least until there is a viable alternative to accessing the information in another manner.

Missing Mail found in Passaic.

Article on some missing mail that was finally located.  If any of these pieces were using Confirm service, it is poosible that they would have been located much more quickly.

I am pleased to be the Industry Co-Chair, along with USPS Co-Chair Nykesha Kemp-Hirst, in leading a new MTAC work group that is currently forming, to consider Confirm Service.  We are currently putting together a roster, please contact me directly for more information, or if you would like to participate.

There will be a short Confirm service outage Saturday June 6 from 8pm CST, through Sunday, June 7 at 4am CST.  During this time users will not be able to upload Electronic Mailing Data files.

Would anyone be willing to share their Confirm service experiences when mailing Flat rate mail with me?  I have been doing some research on Confirm service and Flats.
This is in the Q & As on the USPS Confirm page:

Q. Why are my flat scan rates lower than my first class scan rates?

A. Some flat mail has lower scan rates than letters since some USPS facilities do not have flat sorting equipment which automatically scans the PLANET Codes. More information on this issue, including a list of USPS facilities that do not have automated flat sorting equipment, is published in the Confirm Resources section of the Mail Tracking & Reporting website.

Would it be a safe assumption to think that with Intelligent Mail barcodes being implemented, these scan rates will rise dramatically?
Comment this blog, or email me privately at Lisa.Bowes@intelisent.com