1. Mailer Barcode Quality Industry Best Practices MTAC November 6, 2002

2. Desired Outcome  Prepare and provide recommendations for best practices for mailer barcode quality as determined through the Merlin verification process. – Industry best practices to improve barcode quality for letters and flats – Value added reports for diagnostics of barcode quality – Suggestions on a Merlin users guide for customers – Communications plan for dissemination of the guidelines

3. Workgroup Status  Scott Hamel – USPS Co-Chair  Wanda Senne – Industry Co-Chair  Kathleen J. Siviter - Scribe  Workgroup Members – 26 Companies

4. Industry Best Practices  Two Sub-groups Formed:  Mailer’s Best Practices – Ernie Broennie, Mail Unlimited  Vendor’s Best Practices - Inkjet Addressing Guidelines – Mark Breunig, Domino Amjet – Ramona Krogman, Videojet – Maureen Creely & Chuck Somerville, Scitex  Mail Preparation Quality

5. MERLIN Report Enhancements  July Software Release – Current Software Version Number for MERLIN machines is posted on MERLIN Web Site  November 2002  Additional Releases As Needed – Rates – DMM, Federal Register

6. MERLIN Barcode Error Reference Guide  Hernan A. Borja, USPS Engineering  August 10, 2002  Update to Existing Publication – Methodology – Thresholds – Reporting Errors – Error Code Descriptions – Easier to Understand

7. Mailer’s Guide to MERLIN  Kathleen J. Siviter – Postal Consulting Services, Inc. for PostCom  What is MERLIN  Preparing for MERLIN Deployment – Phases  Mailer Tips for Successful Barcode Readability  Resources  Contacts

8. Communications  National Postal Forum  September Issue of “Mailer’s Companion“  Business Service Network  National Account Managers  USPS Web Site  MERLIN Training in Norman Oklahoma  Mailer Associations

9. Obstacles  Each member followed through on most commitments – Commitments not met, other members of the group “picked up the ball” – team approach  Meeting Etiquette

10. Tips  Group established target completion dates for overall tasks – Target dates for interim tasks  Well defined objectives – Stayed on track – Got agreement as went along – Wouldn’t expand focus  Agenda created and sent to group well in advance of meetings

11. Tips  Co-Chairs met in person prior to each meeting to organize  Minutes taken by capable person who agreed to task ahead of meeting.  For most part, participants were prepared in advance of meetings  Used status grid to track progress

12. Status Grid

13. Timeline  Meetings – May 15th – June 11th – July 15th – August 6th – November 5 th  Sunset

14. Questions? And Answers