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Over half of all mail qualifies for discounts based on having an address and barcode that permits sorting on automated processing equipment. Continuous improvements in the standardization of addresses have helped to increase the level of delivery point sequenced letter mail to 77 percent since the program was introduced in the early 1990s. The Postal Service will increase the percentage of addresses that can be uniquely identified by developing new methods of coding addresses in small multi-unit buildings that currently share a delivery point code. Mailers will be encouraged to move from the address standardization and ZIP+4 coding currently required, toward address validation that ensures the addresses are complete, accurate, and represent delivery points that exist in the Address Management System (AMS). The Postal Service will develop tools to enable continuous analysis of AMS data to ensure that it is complete, as well as to reduce the lead time for updating the AMS data and postal sort plans.

Dropping off mail bundles

Mailers can further contribute to improved address quality by implementing processes that validate their customers' delivery addresses as new accounts are being set up. By validating addresses as early as possible, mailers can improve the deliverability of mail to those customers. These efforts will realize the goal of having mailers provide all automation compatible mail with correct and unique delivery point barcodes at time of entry. Improving address and list quality helps ensure that all mail reaches its intended recipient, and mailers receive the maximum return on their investment in the design, production, and postage paid for their mail.

Mailer-prepared presort bundles allow the Postal Service to bypass one or more operations that are required when handling individual pieces. Poorly prepared flats bundles that come apart in transit needlessly increase cost and impact service. Improving bundle integrity will be a renewed priority in 2006. Longer-term efforts include maximizing full trays of mail and the use of pallets, improving container labeling and tracking, and working with customers to obtain advance information about mailings to enable more efficient resource planning. The Postal Service will eventually eliminate sack usage and evaluate the economies of using super sized units of flats that high-volume mailers could prepare.