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OneCode ACS Sampling Process – Simplified! The National Customer Support Center has relaxed the requirement to submit 50 sample mailpieces prior to applying for OneCode ACS participation. The mailpiece design analyst (MDA) can now perform new voluntary sampling procedures locally. Address Change Service (ACS) is a post-mailing service that allows mailers to receive electronic notifications for change-of-address (COA) and other reasons for non-delivery, and substantially reduce the number of manual — hardcopy — notifications. “Many of our customers have been printing Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMbs) on their mailpieces, demonstrating their ability to print readable barcodes, so a voluntary process makes sense for any subsequent applications,” says Kai Fisher, ACS program manager at the National Customer Support Center in Memphis, TN. “The new procedures also streamline the sampling process for those customers just beginning to print the new barcodes by ensuring they are in contact with the best resource for mailpiece design and barcode readability — their local MDA.” Though no longer required for activation, OneCode ACS customers are strongly encouraged to create a minimum of 20 sample mailpieces and submit them to their local MDA for testing. Since the purpose of testing is to allow the mailer an opportunity to correct any deficiencies that would affect the quality of their results once the pieces are mailed, the opportunity remains for the mailer to provide correctly produced samples for review. The mailer also continues to be responsible for the design and content of barcodes and other design components. “Unreadable barcodes produce unintended results. If our equipment cannot read them, electronic notifications cannot be provided. The mailer could end up getting either no address correction notification, or a more costly manual notice,” Fisher adds. Samples must be “production ready” mailpieces since the testing is performed using the MERLIN (Mailing Evaluation Readability Lookup INstrument). The barcode on the mailpieces must include the appropriate service type identifier, mailer ID, and serial number (unique mailpiece identifier). Also, be sure to include a valid domestic return address on the address side of the mailpiece and as well as an appropriate ancillary service endorsement, when required. For more information on OneCode ACS, see Publication 8B, OneCode ACS Technical Guide, available at ribbs. usps.gov. To find your local MDA, go to pe.usps.com, and click “Postal Links.” 
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MailPro Volume 3 Number 2 Editorial Design John Potter Steve Kearney Maura Robinson Mitzi Betman MailPro © 2009 United States Postal Service. The following are among the many trademarks owned by the United States Postal Service: USPS, U.S. Postal Service, United States Postal Service, Postal Service™, Post Office™, Priority Mail, Express Mail, Standard Mail™, First-Class Mail, Registered Mail™, Certified Mail™, Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation™, ZIP Code™, Click-N-Ship, NetPost and The Postal Store. This list is not a comprehensive list of all Postal Service marks. Send address corrections and Send stories, photos and editorial suggestions to: See our Privacy Policy on usps.com. Online services: PCC Website/PCC Insider: |
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