If you use mail.dat, you already know what a powerful tool it is. The program’s interconnected databases have been around since 1990 and are a great way to make life simpler in the mailroom by streamlining the entire mailing process. The program uniquely identifies you to the post office, lets you get everything ready in advance and speeds your mail to its destination without a lot of hang-ups before or during mailing.
Postage Rates are Climbing at the end of the month
Originally starting on January 26, 2014, you would have needed to have Full-Service Intelligent Mail to ensure automation discounts. This edict has been temporarily delayed. When it happens, the post office won’t turn away your mail. Right now, you will not be able to take advantage of the Full service features that apply to standard mail, first class mail, periodicals and bound printed matter. To get Full service discounts you’ll have to follow the rules, and in this case, that means that you’ll be required to have a Mail.dat editor. No editor, no Full Service discounts – $3 per thousand pieces for first class and $1 per thousand for Standard mail.
Full Service means using a Mail.dat Editor in almost all cases to get the Full Service discounts, but there is more.
All new programs from the USPS will require Full Service so it is not just the discounts you are chasing. It is possible to make changes to your mailing data without using a Mail.dat editor, but the problem is that making changes to one part of your data is likely going to introduce errors in another area. It’s usually very difficult, if not impossible, for a human to make all the necessary changes in all the right places so that the information that arrives at the post office is complete and correct. The Mail.dat editor solves that problem by automating the process and making sure that everything that needs changing gets changed at the same time.
What Things Can I Edit?
The Mail.dat editor lets you seamlessly make just about any adjustments that you need. The following list should give you an idea of some of the common changes the new editor can handle:
Changing of induction and postage statement dates
Changing weights for versions and other dimension changes that do not require a presort rerun
Splitting a mail.dat file for partial mailings
Changing the container status from “Preliminary” to “Ready to Pay,” also cancelling or releasing containers from a mailing over time
Changing permit account information, including MID/CRID updates for By/For
Spoilage
Palletizing (or even Co-palletizing multiple pre-sort jobs)
Updated appointment information FAST
Planning drop ship and entry points
The list above isn’t everything the Mail.dat editor can handle, but it should give you an idea of the program’s possibilities and benefits for your business.
How Do I Get Started?
The best way to get started with the new requirements and get your mailings into compliance fast is to contact Assurety Consulting. Our friendly staff members are experts on mailing and compliance, and they’ll be happy to assist you in finding what you need. Once you have your new Mail.dat editor, we can also help you get it implemented and get you up to speed quickly, allowing you to save as much as possible on mailings in 2016.
