Mail Print Data

The concept of variable data printing (VDP) isn’t new, simple mail merge is a rudimentary form of it.  However, using the capabilities of a short-run digital color press is the more sophisticated version of it.  We’re seeing a sudden increase in our clients need for small/medium volume variable data with full color solutions.

Our Digital Color Press has been turning out job after job lately.  Here in St. Louis Missouri anyway it seems there is an increase in digital demand.  It seems the down-turn with the economy is leading companies to desire smaller, lower overhead, and more targeted project requirements.

Many of our clients are cutting back costs on their traditional offset printing.  Their opting to shift their resources to the more highly targeted and personalized pieces that digital print technology can offer.

I recently read an article by Practical eCommerce, a site dedicated to online merchants and internet marketers.  The article is titled “PeC Traffic Report: The Direct Mail Solution” and focuses on increasing website traffic and overall conversion rates using Direct Mail.

It just goes to show you that time tested and proven direct mail marketing is still the most persuasive and, if done correctly, the most effective means of 1:1 marketing available.

You can read the article here:

PeC Traffic Report: The Direct Mail Solution

As rumored the USPS has announced they will not accept the 6014 as a legal document.  The original purpose of the document was never meant to serve as a transfer of liability from the mailer to a 3rd party.  Basically, the 6014 will not be accepted as proper certification of Move Update Compliance, and the mailer paying the postage will be held liable for a failure.

The USPS will treat detection of Move Update Compliance like any other verification test.   The same rules will apply to a Move Update Compliance failure as a barcode failure or presort error.  The presenter will have the options of paying additional postage or taking the mail back to resolve the problem.

This doesn’t change the fact that the document signed is a legal document.  The 6014 or any similarly signed document would hold as an agreement between the mail preparer and their client.  The document was never meant to serve as an agreement between the USPS and the client of the mail preparer.

The options for Move Update Compliance are:

• OneCode ACS™ (Address Change Service) in conjunction with an Intelligent Mail barcode and a mailer ID or Address Change Service used with an ACS participant code and an appropriate on-piece ancillary service endorsement

• NCOALink™ processing.

• FASTforward® MLOCR processing (letter mail only).

• Ancillary Service Endorsement.

Input Technology is asking clients to use one of the above methods for all mailings.  Most of our clients simply take advantage of our cost-effective 48 month NCOA processing service.  We require all clients mailing through us to sign a PAF (Processing Acknowledgement Form), if not using an alternative addressing format or one of the above methods.

The Processing Acknowledgment Form is required by the USPS to adhere to the Privacy Act of 1974.  The purpose is to assure that the processing and returned data isn’t used for any purpose other than updating a mail list.

Alternative addressing includes using simplified addressing such as “Current Resident” or “Postal Customer”.  It can also be exceptional addressing such as “Or Current Resident” as well as “Or Current Occupant.”  If the client uses alternative addressing, we require nothing additional from them, since Move Update does not apply.

ITi NCOA Forms and Info ->

Postal Service Releases Vision 2013

The Postal Service has released Vision 2013, its new five-year strategic plan that balances near-term priorities with long-term needs to adapt to changing customer need.

Read more here…

Economy-Driven Mail Volume Decline Contributes to Loss

The Postal Service finished up 2008 with a net loss of $2.8 billion as the economic slowdown lowered mail volume and as the Postal Service bore additional cost mandated by the Postal Act of 2006.

Read more here…

USPS Updates three IMB Technical Guides

The Postal Service updated three technical guides for the Intelligent Mail Barcode and added a new one.  Customers are encouraged to use the guides and can find them at:

http://ribbs.usps.gov/files/fullserviceguides/

Read more here…

We at Input Technology would like to thank all our clients and friends for giving us the opportunity to serve them this past year.   2008 has been a year of great change for us, both from a company standpoint and an industry wide standpoint.

The industry as a whole has changed tremendously over the past year.  We have the USPS raising postage rates, and implementing new Move Update Standards.  They also announced the planned implementation of the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB).  We also have the economic struggles our country began to face.  Those struggles have impacted the printing and mailing industries both.

We have, despite the ever changing industry, settled into our new facility.  We’re beginning to grow our operations to match the new facility’s production floor and warehouse space.  We are planning all necessary improvements to equipment to meet the needs of clients and grow our company.   In addition, we are acquiring new technology and software to improve our solutions.

One notable improvement we made in 2008 was our decision to acquire Unlimited Full Service NCOA (National Change of Address) processing agreement.  We have the ability to process any number of records in minutes through the USPS NCOA Database.   This allows us to help our clients meet the strict demands of the new 95 day minimum Move Update Standards.

We look forward to 2009 for the opportunity to serve and provide quality/on-budget solutions to our clients and friends.  We hope you have a safe and Happy New Year!

Input Technology, Inc.

Well, the wait is over and Nov. 23rd has past.  This means we are under new guidelines regarding the Move Update Regulations of Standard Class Mail.

Move update refers to methods for making sure that the person or business you are mailing to is still at the address you have for them.  We have partnered with a leader in mailing technology to offer NCOA Full Service Processing.  This will enable us to provide our clients with quick and easy adherence to the new standards.

Learn more about it here:
http://www.inptech.com/ncoa_processing.php

The USPS is going to begin checking mailings for compliance using their current MERLIN program.  MERLIN program, an acronym for Mail Evaluation Readability Lookup INstrument, is a tool that is used by the U.S. Postal Service to assist with the acceptance of business mail.

MERLIN will read the addresses of mail pieces and check them against USPS Change of Address Database to determine if the mailing is compliant.  When a mailing is found to be Non-Compliant the USPS can (an likely will) levy fines against the mailer.

Mailers (that would be us) will require their clients to fill out a Form 6014 (Certification of Move Update Compliance) and/or submit their mail list through NCOA and fill out a PAF (Processing Acknowledgement Form).  It will be required of all mailers to be able to present to the USPS proof that the mailing is Move Update Compliant.

View the 6014 as well as a presentation by USPS on the Move Update:
http://www.inptech.com/resources.php

Quick reminder to everyone that Nov 23rd is fast approaching and we’ll be providing more detailed information on this Blog as well as our main website InpTech soon.

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Many organizations/companies start direct mail campaigns with unrealistic goals.  Expecting a one-time mailing of a postcard or offer to return substantial profits immediately is idealistic, but impractical.  The key to getting your return on investment is consistency and a time-commitment.

I’m assuming you’ve taken the time to hire a professional advertising agency to create a great strategy, offer, and design.  I’m assuming too, that you have a great product/service and call-to-action.

You should expect on your first mailing a response rate of about zero.

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When times are tight everyone’s looking to get the most bang for their buck.  It almost goes without saying that every business at this time is looking over their expenses (advertising too) to see where they can cut costs.  Some companies are giving up direct mail marketing for the time being all together.  This might be the only option for some, but will result in missed opportunities and lost revenue.  Not everyone has a home phone number, or an email address, nor does everyone read magazines and newspapers.  But everyone has a mailbox.

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The US Postal Service has released a five year plan to focus on and meet customer needs.  At the heart of the plan, the USPS says, are 3 keys:

1. Focus on what matters most to customers.
2. Leverage our strengths to create customer value an profits to invest in continued improvement.
3. Embrace Change in the way we respond to emerging customer needs and a rapidly evolving business environment.

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