Software Evaluation Simplifies Process for Manifest Mailing Systems

The Postal Service, working with the mailing industry, has developed an evaluation program of vendor-supplied manifest mailing software that will create a simplified and consistent application and approval process for manifest mailing systems.

It's called MAC-Manifest Analysis and Certification. This voluntary certification program examines and certifies the accuracy of software package used to calculate postage payment for single-piece and presort-rated mailings at domestic and international rates. These calculations are consistent with the standards of the Domestic Mail Manual, and Publication 401, Guide to the Manifest Mailing System.

MAC is available to all eligible manifest mailing product developers of software for single-piece rates mail (itemized) and presorted, non-identical piece mail (batch). It's available to test personal, midrange, or mainframe computer software.

For purposes of MAC certification, eligible manifest mailing software product developers are defined as those companies that initially develop and in-house, proprietary manifest mailing software product for commercial use.

Manifest mailing system users have a wide variety of needs based on type, class and volume of mail. Some users need only a basic single-piece listing for one or two classes of mail; some users manifest only international mail. Others, however, manifest wide variety of mail types and classes and often use many of these special services offered by the Postal Service, such as Delivery Confirmation, certified mail, insured mail, return receipt service and COD service.

The Postal Service tests and certifies manifest mailing software in specific package groups.

To be MAC-certified, software must, at minimum, accuratey manifest a basic package of specific class and rate categories.

Additional, optional packages of other rates and special service categories are available to vendors who desire to offer users a greater range of manifest capabilities.

To be certified for a specific package, the manifest mailing product must be able to calculate postage and fees accurately, as applicable, and produce required documentation for each class, processing category, and rate listed in the package.

MAC also test and certifies the ability of software to generate facsimile mailing statements and other documentation that must meet USPS standards.

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