1 Intelligent Mail – Importance and Vision February 5, 2003 MTAC Briefing Charles Bravo, Sr. V.P. Intelligent Mail and Address Quality (IMAQ) Gary Reblin, Manager IMAQ Planning and Standards IMAQ

2 USPS Objective Intelligent Mail and Address Quality Transformation Plan – “The Postal Service must find ways to use existing resources to generate new revenues to offset anticipated losses from electronic diversion. Our products and services must also be flexible enough to adapt to 21st century technological advances.” Leverage existing infrastructure to provide information Pursue value-added services and enhance current product offerings

3 Example Sample code location Intelligent Mail and Address Quality “One Code Vision” Vision Use one code on a mail piece to uniquely identify and track that mail piece

4 Existing Market Research has provided insight into mailer needs –Participants: –Marketing, Fulfillment, Financial decision-makers –Findings: –Value to tracking and tracing information –Existing infrastructure needs to be considered –Simple web-based solutions are needed to reach small and mid-sized businesses –Services should be flexible to adapt to unique needs –Price sensitivity towards intelligent mail Use MTAC sub-committee research and findings Align USPS, Mailer and Customer Needs Intelligent Mail and Address Quality

5 Identify Opportunities –Provide additional value to product and services –Minimize additional costs for everyone –Incorporate privacy and security features –Resolve service performance problems Upgrade Infrastructure Standardize Mail Piece Coding First Steps Intelligent Mail and Address Quality Develop cost-effective phased strategy

6 Data Acquisition –Standardized technology –Offer competitive product offerings –Near real time signature confirmation Action: Mail Piece Scanning Intelligent Mail and Address Quality

7 Action: Mail Visibility Leads to Service Intelligent Mail and Address Quality Entry Scans TrackingInformationServiceInformation 7 Form PS 3152-APLANET Code

8 Action: Reduce Postal Processing Costs Leverage new advances in parcel sorting automation, Postal Automated Redirection System: –Provide routing information in the current codes –Click-n-Ship –Returns –Provide database link with ACS information –Participant identification Intelligent Mail and Address Quality

9 Integrated Data Server RCR AFCS DBCS MLOCR FSM881 UFSM1000AFSM100 SPC CSBCS MPI LAN OUT TO DISTRICT SERVER P&DC STATION/ASSOCIATE OFFICE ETC Create Infrastructure to offer near real-time flow of plant data Drive down future program and future investment costs Intelligent Mail and Address Quality Action: Shared Infrastructure

10 Migrate to a “One Code” vision by consolidating existing identifiers where possible. Work to upgrade infrastructure to provide near real time information Keep sight of the customers’ business needs to further our understanding of the feasibility of various strategies and alternatives. Summary Intelligent Mail and Address Quality