4.
How simple is it to set up the print layout and interface with the envelope printer? This may also include printing a return address, message line, graphics, and permit imprint.
Vendor Support
We live in a self-help world where we are expected to install and fix our own issues. This software may be used to get out critical information by specific deadlines, where this type of support may not work. It may be important to have a live body provide installation and training to make sure your staff is proficient. This may also go beyond the functionality of the software to include helping to get the first mailings out the door. How do they handle service when you have an issue? Can this be done live, with remote support or is it web only? Also, how are updates sent? Are they downloaded through the web or sent on a CD? I would strongly recommend doing your research in these areas to make sure you are using a company that can properly support your needs.
Key Features
There are key features you may need to process your type of mail and it is important to make sure they are discussed up front. Many vendors will provide these options for an additional charge or will only make them available in their premium versions. By understanding what these features do, you can make an informed decision when selecting the right package.
1.
USPS Class Support – All tools can support Automated FirstClass and Standard Mail letters and flats, but what about other classes you may want to process? If you do these classes and services below, validate their availability.
7.
Import/Export File Structures – All of the tools should be able to do basic excel (.xls), database (.dbf), Comma Separated (.csv), and text delimited (.txt) file structures, but higher volume applications may require accepting and exporting files in different formats. Make sure to define these requirements up front.
On Demand Address Correction
We have primarily been focusing on address corrections for an established mailing list, but what about other real time address correction needs? Let’s say you run an ecommerce website and want the ship-to address to be validated at the time the customer enters it. You may have seen this in the past when a window comes up with what they believe your address to be. Or you are in customer service and a client calls to change their address. You may want your system to validate as it is being entered; this is definitely possible with certain vendors.
Conclusion
The good news is that most of the established vendors in this space will be able to support your needs and provide the options needed. The key is being able to define what you are looking for up front and to know what questions to ask. Hopefully this framework will make that easy. Adam Lewenberg, CMDSS is President of Postal Advocate Inc. with over 19 years of experience in the mail industry. Their mission is to help entities with large numbers of locations reduce mail related expenses, and to make these spends easy to manage. He can be reached at 617.372.8653 or adam.lewenberg@postaladvocate.com.
a. Carrier Route b. Periodicals c. Package Services d. Paletization
2.
IMB Support – Can they support the new Mail.dat and Mail.
3.
NCOA – How does the software work with getting real time
xml electronic seamless acceptance required to get Full Service IMB discounts?
move update information? Is it paid for by the record, for a specific number of records, or unlimited? Also, how seamless is this interface?
4.
Mail Tracking – With IMB, there is information in the barcode that can allow the sender to track delivery of the mail. What services does the provider offer to make this easy?
5.
Geocoding – This is being able to set coordinates to the ad-
6.
Mixed Weight Processing – Being able to process different
dresses inside your database. Many companies use it to better target mailings. An example would be an auto dealership planning to send out mailings to people in a five-mile radius of the shop.
weight items inside a mailing. This could be important if sending out first class invoices that are all a different number of sheets or wanting to process multiple mailings together in one batch to get better discounts.
www.MailingSystemsTechnology.com a JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2013
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