MTAC Workgroup 93 Streamlining Verification

Debbie CooperBob Galaher

May 18, 2005

Washington DC

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Streamlining VerificationMTAC Workgroup 93

Mission Statement:

– Collectively determine how the USPS and the Industry can leverage existing, or guide future, technological solutions into the mailing life cycle that can enhance the verification and induction process.

Workgroup Lifecycle – May 2005 through Quarter I, 2006

Three Task Teams (Subgroups):

– Vision Team

– Barcode Team

– Concept Design & Test

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Streamlining VerificationMTAC Workgroup 93

Vision Team (Sept. 2005)

– David Steinhardt, Pritha Mehra

Barcode Team (Oct. 2005)

– Mury Salls, Jeff Freeman

Concept Design & Test (March 2006)

– Debbie Cooper, Robert Galaher

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Concept Design & Testing

Goal

• Define processes for automated verification for Standard and Periodical mailers utilizing mail asset barcodes (pallets/handling units).

• Execute a proof of concept for automated verification with pallet barcodes.

Status – Goal achieved

Concept Works! – Current systems can fundamentally support a streamlined mailing acceptance/induction process

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Design, • Leverage USPS systems for

verification/payment, scheduling, and induction (PostalOne!, FAST and Surface Visibility)– Identity – Unique mail asset identifiers (barcode

Mailer placard on pallets)– Verification/Payment – PostalOne! - pallet id links

postage statement / appointment id links pallet id– Scheduling – FAST; pallet id tied to appointments– Induction – e8125; pallet id sent to SV for scanning

at entry point

Concept Design & Testing

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Mailer Submits Electronic Docs & Postage Payments

Pro

cess

es

Data

Scheduling

FAST

SurfaceVisibility

e8125s

Shipper EntersMail

Induction Events

Concept Design & Testing

USPS Scans Shipment

Scanning

Pallet Assign

Build

Container Close Container Stage

Break

Placard Assign

110PM112VSFP120PM123334

112F343A34

Container

Handling Unit

Handling Units Scanned : 3

ZIP Code Range Not Valid

Handling Unit destination does not match the Container destination.

OK

View

ScansMain Menu

Platform Other

BMC Washington DC 20499

STD FLTS BC WKGWashington DC 200

Presort reports Postage payments

PostalOne!® Verification and

Acceptance

USPS/Customer Electronic Access

AppointmentsTracked

QualificationReports

QualificationReports

Verification

PostageStmnt

PostageStmnt

Payment

ShippingReports

ShippingReports

Scheduling

Info

rmat

ion

ShipmentReports

ShipmentReports

Induction

Quality andPerformance

ReportsQuality andPerformance

Reports

Measurement

Shippers Schedule AppointmentsMailer Submits

Postage Payments

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Test, and Results• Three mailers at Three USPS Facilities• Concept works! – Successes:

– Data exchange (information sharing)– Electronic 8125 (container specific)– Entry appointments, containers and postage

statements linked (verification/payment)– Scan device supports business process– Initial visibility reports

Concept Design & Testing

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Test and Results• Challenges (being addressed)

– Technical aspects» Low scan rates» Data normalization and conformance

– Business aspects» Reports require enhancements» Roles and access» Contingencies

Concept Design & Testing

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Next Steps

Recommend Sunset MTAC 93 Workgroup– Design and Concept Testing Final Report– MTAC Group leadership determination

Pilot test group– Next test cycle this summer

» Pre-Induction event reporting» Appointment updates to SV» Segregation of paper vs. electronic 8125 loads to SV» Post-Induction event reporting

– Shipment discrepancies and resolution actions

– Container discount vs. correct entry

– Mail irregularity reporting (SV to PostalOne!)