Postal Automated Postal Automated Redirection System Redirection System

(PARS)(PARS)

John KeeganJohn KeeganManager, Automation Equipment Manager, Automation Equipment

EngineeringEngineering

Mailers´ Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) Mailers´ Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC)

November 5, 2003 November 5, 2003 Washington DC Washington DC

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

What is PARS

Key Concepts and Components

Improved Change-of-Address Process

Redirection of UAA mail

Processes Automated by PARS

Electronic Address Corretion Service - ACS

Memphis NCSC ACS – Print System

Advanced Forwarding Reader - AFR

Limitations of the System - Examples

Project Timeline

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

What is PARS?

… … A system that reduces the cost of forwarding mail to a customer’s new address by automating each of the currently manual or mechanized processes.

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Key Concepts and Components

Change of Address Forms Processing System (CFPS)

86 CFS Sites Scan Change of Address Forms

Remote Encoding Site operators Key Images

PARS - Interception/Forwarding/Return to Sender

CIOSS Machine (Combined ISS/OSS)

CARS (Change of Address Record Server)

Address Correction Printers and Servers at the Memphis National Customer Service Center

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Improved Change-of-Address Process

RedesignedChange-of-Addressform

Scanned and processed by OCR software along with remote video operators at 4 locations

National Customer Support Center

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Distribution Process Today

DeliveryUnit

CFS Unit

Origin

CorrectDestination

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Origin CorrectDestination

The PARS Concept

A majority of the UAA volume is identified and redirected at the originating P&DC

A majority of the UAA volume is identified and redirected at the originating P&DC

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Processes Automated by PARS

Notification to MailerNotification to Mailer – PS Form 3547 Delivery Unit Receives Cards from NCSC (Memphis)

Bearing Image of Mailpiece and Collects Fees Address Change ServiceAddress Change Service

Electronic Enhancement to PS Form 3547 UAA Information is Provided Electronically to

Mailers by NCSC Versus Hardcopy Notification PS Form 3547

Electronic ACSElectronic ACS Immediate transmission to NCSC after automatic

recognition by AFR

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Electronic Address Correction Service - ACS

Memphis NCSC Image Controllerand ACS Server

NCSC ACSFulfillment

ACS instantly forwarded electronically from P&DCs to NCSC

P&DC Image Controllers nationwide send ACS information to NCSC Image Controller ACS Server

NCSC ACS Server submits information to the ACS fulfillment system

P&DC Image Controllersnationwide

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Address Correction Notification - PS FORM 3547

Addressee’sName

Old Address

New Address

Return Address as

newDelivery address

Return Address’ Postmaster

Barcode

Mail pieceimage

Bar coded with Return Address (faster delivery)

Postmaster code for postage due handling

Name & Addresses printed for better readability

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Address Correction Notification – Print System PARS 3547 print system

NCSC Memphis

Central processing of nationwide collected data

Up to 800,000 forms daily

Fully automated

Printing, cutting, auto-traying in presort sequence

Conveyer to Postal One

One day turnaround

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Advanced Forwarding Reader – AFR

Mail Class (any type of indicia)

Ancillary Service Endorsements

ACS Information

Automatic reading of

Addressee’s name

Address information

Return Address Information (front and back side)

Indicia

Endorsement line

Return Address

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Current Limitations of the PARS System

Interference of Information Bad type face

Exceptional address format“current resident” not in address block

Endorsements not compliant with Postal Standards

Reverse print

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Current Limitations of the PARS System

Interference of Information

First class meterOver

Standard imprint

Participant ID shiftedout of window

Fonts too small

Wrong positionNo clear space

Light meter prints“low ink” prints

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Postal Automated Redirection System

MTAC - November 2003

Project Timeline

Nov 2003Nov 2003 – First Article Test (FAT)

Jan 2004Jan 2004 – Start Phase I Deployment

53 P&DCs, 40 CFS, 20 RECs

209 CFS for COA Forms processing (86 scanning sites)

Sept 2004Sept 2004 – Complete Phase I Deployment

September 2006September 2006 – Complete Phase II Deployment

Remaining 230 P&DC’s

Remaining 180 CFS