Today’s blog entry is about the much talked about Intelligent Mail Barcode.
The Intelligent Barcode, formally called the 4-state customer barcode, is the newest attempt by the post office to make both them and their customers more efficient in preparing and handling the mail. It also offers additional features such as enhanced tracking and ACS services.
Some of the Features and Benefits That Make the Intelligent Barcode Unique are the Following:
- Combines multiple services into one barcode – these can include: OneCode ACS (Address Change Service), postNET barcode, OneCode Confirm Service Type ID # (what class of mailing) and unique piece identifier.
- With the OneCode Confirm, you have the ability to track every single mail piece using the unique piece identifier. For example, if you want to see if John Doe received his mail piece, you have the ability to track that piece using his unique piece identifier up to the delivery point sorter.
- It consists of 65 bars (postNET was 62) and can include up to 31-digits worth of information.
- The post office is currently using the Intelligent Barcode for First-Class Mail (confirm and ACS services, flats only) and Standard Class (confirm service only).
- Frees up more real estate on the actual mail piece by combining what used to be 4 lines of the address block into 1.
- And lastly, this barcode will be required by 2009 to get automation rates.
What Makes up the Intelligent Barcode?
Barcode Identifier: This a 2 digit field that will be used to encode the presort identification that is currently being read manually from the Optional Endorsement Line.
Service Type Identifier: This is a 3-digit field which tells the sorting equipment exactly what service is required for that piece of mail. For example, if you would prefer the OneCode ACS service, the identifier would be 080.
Customer Identifier: This is the BEI that is assigned by the post office to the mailer.
Sequence Number: This is the unique piece identifier which is assigned to each record in your mailing.
Routing Code: This is the 11-digit delivery point, or Zip+4, with other delivery information.
If You Would Like More Information, Please Visit:
http://ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution
5 comments ↓
I blogged about this a bit before http://lifeofprint.com/?p=8.
Anouther thing about space, for those who do want OneCode Confirm before now, they were required to put a Planet Barcode that takes up as much space as the PostNet AND the PostNet was still required–hence, the double barcode look. IMBC will take care of the two barcodes and combine this to one.
I have a good amount of information up at my Postal Affairs blog here:
http://www.windowbook.com/Blogs/PostalAffairs.aspx
Let me know if I can help with any questions.
Hi Lisa. Your blog is definitely rich with postal information. Thank you for sharing.
I run postnet labels for a local playhouse which mails about 8000 pamphlets 3 times a year. I used to use some software called QBAR which ran under DOS and interfaced nicely with a ‘C’ program I wrote to process the theatre’s labels. I’m looking to replace that to conform to the USPS requirements for 2009, without spending a whole lot of money! I don’t get paid by the theatre to print these labels. I get free tickets to their shows in exchange for my efforts. Any suggestions as to what software would replace my current QBAR software? Does QBAR still exist?
Hi Dave, I think this is a good software question for the USPS. I would contact them at http://www.usps.gov. That being said, I do know that the new Intelligent Mail Barcode will not work with a DOS based system — it has to be Windows based.
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