As the United States Postal Service enters 2013, it does so with an eye toward the future and the role of technology, including Seamless Acceptance, in it.
Seamless Acceptance is the Postal Service's effort to "fully automate verification of commercial mailings performed during postal processing of the mail." Utilizing Intelligent Mail barcoding (IMb) Full-Service, it focuses more on electronic acceptance of mail pieces with less postal clerk interaction and less paperwork, adding container barcodes to the mix, pallet, sack, and tray; bypassing the postal clerk inspection as the mailing enters the production system; and adding electronic drop-ship clearance and postage. As the Business Mail Entry Manager in Merrifield, Virginia, put it, Seamless Acceptance will allow her to "check it (a mailing) in, charge it, and process it without ever seeing it."
The benefit? According to the USPS's Comprehensive Statement - 2010 Comprehensive Statement on Postal Operations, 2010 Performance Report and 2011 Performance Plan, "Information obtained from mailings in process helps to determine address accuracy, verify mail preparation quality, validate correct postage, and, with the use of Confirm service, track individual pieces as they move through the system. Seamless acceptance will help the Postal Service partner with customers by capturing and sharing information about mail errors earlier in the process." In other words, your mailpieces will enter the delivery system faster and cleaner.
How can you prepare for Seamless Acceptance? The program requires specialized equipment and barcodes, which your mailhouse should have. Talk to your vendor about its procedures for complying with the Seamless Acceptance process.
Do you have a better suggestion to offer or a challenge you'd like help with? Say it here. Your comments are always welcome.
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