**Minutes of the**

**Mailers\' Technical Advisory Committee**

**February 23-24, 2005**

###### U. S. Postal Service Headquarters

**Ben Franklin Room**

**Washington, D.C.**

**First Day**

###### WEDNESDAY, February 23

**Welcome/Introduce New Members**

**John Wargo, Chair, Postal**

**Bob O'Brien, Chair, Industry**

**Marty Emery, Vice Chair, Postal**

Mr. Emery called the meeting to order, welcomed those present and
introduced new MTAC members. David Swanson, International Labor
Communications Association, came on board as the association executive.
New representatives include: Ronald Ellin (Continuity Shippers
Association), Gene Kryczka (DMA Nonprofit Federation), Clem Balanoff
(National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and
Clerks), and Mike Houghtaling (Florida Gift Fruit Shippers Association).
Mr. Emery also introduced a new member of the press, Allen Curtiss,
managing editor of [Mail: The Journal of Communication]{.underline}.

Bob O'Brien confirmed the dates for the remaining MTAC meetings for
2005: May 18-19, Aug 17-18 and November 2-3. He noted that the bylaws
require election in August of a new industry vice chair to succeed Joyce
McGarvy, who will assume the responsibilities of chair. Bill Hoyt will
chair the candidate nominating committee, which consists of a number of
past MTAC industry chairs. In November, the industry steering committee
members will be elected.

**USPS Financial Update**

**Richard J. Strasser, Jr.**

**Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President**

[]{.mark}

Mr. Strasser summarized performance through January 31 by indicating:
that volume and revenues were higher than expected, with an unusual
spike in November; productivity gains continued which held down expense
increases due to inflation and additional workload; and that net income,
although below the same period last year, was better than plan.

First quarter volume (October through December) increased 5.5% over the
same period last year (SPLY), on the strength of an extraordinary 15%
volume increase in November. A number of factors aligned to generate
strong volume growth in Quarter 1, including solid economic growth,
strengthening direct marketing channels, the quadrennial impact of
election mailings, increased activity in marketing financial services
and credit cards and a calendar shift that added two days to the holiday
marketing and mailing season between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

However, volume in January (with one less business day than last year)
declined by 1.0 percent, reducing year to date volume increase to 3.9
percent or 2.8 billion pieces. With the exception of Periodicals, year
to date volumes for all classes of mail increased over last year, with
Standard Mail up 2.4 billion pieces or 7.5% and First-Class Mail up 250
million pieces or 2.1%. Revenues for the same period increased \$500
million with the majority of that increase coming from Standard Mail,
Priority Mail and International Mail.

The delivery network including post office boxes continues to grow, up
1.8 million possible deliveries to 143 million delivery points. The
increased workload attributable to the increase in deliveries and the
volume increase of 3.9 percent through January would have required 3.4
million additional work hours utilizing productivity levels of a year
ago. However, only 1.1 million additional hours were necessary,
producing a savings of 2.3 million workhours. Describing it another way,
the total workload increased 2.2%, but the total resources required to
support that workload was only 0.4%, producing an increase in total
factor productivity (TFP) of 2.2%. The Postal Service has registered
five consecutive years of improved TFP, with a good start to extending
that to six consecutive years. Looking ahead, Mr. Strasser indicated
that Quarter 2 volumes and revenue are projected to be above forecast
and expenses below forecast producing a net income above forecast. On
the strength of increased volumes and revenues and continued efficiency
gains he indicated that the net income for the total fiscal year would
exceed \$1 billion.

Mr. Strasser then discussed the continued impact of, Public Law (PL)
108-18, and the upcoming rate filing. This law requires the Postal
Service, beginning in 2006, to place the savings emanating from PL
108-18 in an escrow account instead of utilizing the savings to offset
expenses. In 2006, this amount is \$3.1 billion and must be deposited by
September 30, 2006. If the law remains unchanged, the escrow amount will
increase to an annual deposit of \$5.4 billion by 2015. As the escrow
requirement re-creates an over-funding of CSRS retirement expenses, the
Postal Service recommended against the escrow requirement. The Postal
Service's proposal for the use of the savings included returning the
military service portion of the retirement expense to the Treasury and
that savings are used to pre-fund post-retirement health benefit costs
of all employees and retirees.

Since currently the escrow requirement remains a reality, the Postal
Service Board of Governors, which determines rates, has directed
management to prepare a rate filing to cover the escrow amount. That
filing, which will probably recommend an across-the-board increase, is
under development now to provide only the additional funding required
for the 2006 escrow deposit.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Strasser%20%201220p.ppt)

**New MTAC Focus**

**Anita Bizzotto, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer**

Ms. Bizzotto presented a vision for the MTAC of the future, which would
focus on best use of MTAC resources and expertise and continue to honor
the dedication that members have demonstrated in the past. That focus
should be complementary to the mission of the Postal Service, and
provide a more strategic and proactive support for projects that benefit
both the MTAC industry members and the Postal Service.

MTAC is well situated to contribute to four important areas 1) address
accuracy 2) optimization of mail preparation and entry 3) seamless
acceptance and induction and 4) service measurement and improvement. The
Postal Service has developed a team approach to each area, with an
Operations Vice President and a Marketing Vice President working
together as sponsors of new work group initiatives. These sponsors will
be a part of a new MTAC Steering Committee.

A first step will be to align the present work groups with the four
areas, identify any gaps that would be well served by additional work
groups, and form new work groups in response to new opportunities that
may be identified.

Mr. O'Brien explained that, between now and November, the details of the
transition will be identified with resolution of any remaining issues.
The current Steering Committee and the Executive Committee will finalize
the organization, which will pair two MTAC Industry Steering Committee
members with each Postal Service Sponsor Team. A change in the Industry
Steering Committee organization will be the election of four mail class
members and four members to represent the four focus areas.

During discussion, Ms. Bizzotto announced the publication of a new
Postal Service magazine, ***Deliver***, targeted to 350,000 marketing
and senior executives of large companies (\$50 million plus in sales).
The magazine emphasizes the advantages of mail in a large business
marketing environment.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Anita%20Bizotto%20%20100p.ppt)

**Consumer Advocate**

**Mike Spates, Acting VP and Consumer Advocate**

Mr. Spates described the Consumer Affairs Department, headed by a vice
president who is the Postal Service Consumer Advocate. The Consumer
Advocate was established to understand the needs of customers and to be
an independent representative of consumers. In the department there are
four groups:

A chief privacy officer is concerned with customer privacy issues,
maintaining the high level of confidence that customers have in the
Postal Service, managing Freedom of Information inquiries, and
developing consumer policies. The customer knowledge manager is
responsible for developing and maintaining various service measurements
(delivery, forwarding, time on line at post offices, etc.) and
developing and analyzing a consumer satisfaction measurement system. The
corporate customer contact group is the direct link with the consumer,
through the contact centers (previously call centers), responding to
inquiries of any kind, and monitoring the mail recovery centers.
Finally, there is a field support and integration group that is the link
to field operations, responsible for outreach to communities, and
administration of the department.

The physical organization is layered similarly at the Area and District
level, each with a marketing manager and customer service specialists.

During discussion, there was a brief discussion about misdelivery and
Mr. Spates commented that there was an independent contractor who
currently tracks misdeliveries. When the results of that survey are
available, it will be shared with MTAC. Commenting on the time mail is
delivered to post office boxes, Mr. Spates stated that the policy is to
complete PO box deliveries by 9:30 in the morning. The pick-up time
policy on individual drop boxes varies with the circumstances, but most
are early in the day. Subsequent pick-ups depend on the amount of mail
deposited as the day progresses. The minimum to justify a pick-up is
usually 25 pieces. Asked about the most common consumer complaint, Mr.
Spates said it was forwarding. Finally, he noted that the Consumer
Advocate is responsible for the recycling policy related to
undeliverable mail.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Mike%20Spates%20%20120p.ppt)

**National Postal Forum (NPF)**

**Marty Emery, Mgr. Customer & Industry Marketing**

Mr. Emery extended an invitation to MTAC members who have not yet signed
up for the National Postal Forum to consider the opportunity. The Forum
will be held in Nashville, Tennessee from March 20 through March 23,
continuing the four-day format set at the last Forum. The exhibit hall
will open on Sunday and Postmaster General Potter will kick off the
event on Monday morning with the keynote address. On Wednesday, Governor
Tom Ridge, former Secretary of Homeland Security, will speak to Forum
attendees.

The entire program has been expanded. Two symposia not offered at the
last Forum will be added -- mail research and intelligence, and a
program for printers. There are three other symposia -- marketing,
package services and periodicals. There will also be a new PCC
Leadership Conference.

The nine business tracks offered last year will be expanded by four new
tracks -- direct mail marketing, mail quality, mail service providers
and database management. Finally, 116 workshop sessions in 13 topic
areas are available, 56 previously conducted but with updated content,
and 60 all new workshops.

The USPS Certificate Program, which was well received and awarded over
1,100 professional certificates at the Washington DC Forum last year,
has been expanded from five to eleven professional areas. The
certificates are awarded for attending a specific number of workshops in
these specific areas.

In the exhibit hall, the Postal Service has expanded the number of
booths to provide more focused information on marketing solutions,
mailing and shipping solutions, online solutions and reply and return
solutions. The service and consultation area will have 20 work stations
and a special booth dedicated to Transformation.

Finally, there are a number of networking opportunities, including the
golf tournament, an awards luncheon, a number of receptions (including a
gala reception at the famous "Wildhorse Saloon"), and a closing event on
Wednesday featuring star country singer Sara Evans.

In closing, Mr. Emery noted that the registration of senior-level
executives has increased substantially, and there has been back-to-back
growth in vendor exhibitors, with more coming to Nashville than the
number which participated in the Washington DC Forum.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Marty%20Emery%20%20135p.ppt)

**Enhancing Confirm (WG \# 80)**

**Martin Bernstein and Vinnie DeAngelis**

Mr. Bernstein recalled that the Confirm Work Group \# 80, established in
2003, represented the setting of new objectives for what had been prior
to that Confirm Work Group #20 that started in 1997. The mission has
been to "grow" Confirm for the benefit of both the Postal Service and
customers for all classes of mail. It has had five subteams, so that
smaller groups could focus on specific issues: scan performance,
pre-shipment notification, reports, training and certification, and a
"futures" team. Each team has nailed down important accomplishments.

The Scan Team has increased stop-the-clock operations, developed scan
performance definitions and data quality indicators in reports, and
improved data quality of Confirm scan records (fewer flawed reports).
The Pre-Shipment Notification Team has integrated pre-shipment functions
with the mail reporting web site, enhanced edit and search functions
within Confirm, and improved the ability to test pre-shipment files and
to report errors.

Vinnie DeAngelis continued the report, noting that the Reports Team
helped develop more efficient report formats that are more accurate. The
Training and Certification Team provided guidance in internal and
external training formats and content to insure that Confirm was
included, that customers would be able to develop Confirm mailings, and
the team helped in developing the certification process.

The Futures Team keeps track of where Confirm is and where it can go,
working with the intelligent mail team, and making sure that all
involved remember what Confirm is and what it can do for both the Postal
Service and the customer.

Mr. Bernstein announced that the work group would sunset. He expressed
appreciation to the members who participated in the process, and to the
subteam leaders -- Cameron Bellamy, Brian Euclide, Sue Taylor, Wanda
Senne and Joe Lubenow

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Martin%20Bernstien%20%20145p.ppt)

.

.

**Flats Sequencing System and Delivery Point Packaging**

**Tom Day, VP Engineering**

Mr. Day stated that the ultimate goal is to merge letters and flats into
a single fully automated delivery point bundle, the delivery point
packaging strategy. An alternative is to develop a flats sequencing
system that produces a single delivery point bundle of flats. Although a
substantial volume of flats can now be sorted in delivery point
sequence, carriers must still manually sort a large volume. Of about 60
billion flats, over 70% are Standard Mail, which means that they are
barcoded for automation. Nearly 30 billion pieces are received in
carrier route sequence, plus almost 10 billion pieces received as
saturation mail.

The flats sequencing strategy would sort letters and flats separately,
which would reduce the time required to case the flats and save office
time for carriers, now about 2---3 hours a day. It would not affect
route time, which is about 5-6 hours a day.

There was a single Phase 2 award in September 2004, which went to
Northrop Grumman, to build an in-plant prototype to demonstrate that
their system will work. The final sort should put the flats in a
sequence that minimizes carrier handling. The prototype is actually a
system that is, in a similar form, being used by one or two postal
services in Europe. If the test is successful, Phase 3 will put a system
in a DDU in Indianapolis that will actually sort flats that will be
delivered. If that test works well (probably completed by mid-2006),
Phase 4 will be a proposal to the Governors for approval to proceed with
production at the end of 2006, with deployment in 2008.

The delivery point packaging strategy would produce a single bundle of
letters and flats, which would significantly reduce the carrier's route
time since it would eliminate a fingering process that picks letters and
flats from different containers in the vehicle. Currently there are four
contending contractors, and a test bed contract is in the process of
award, which would be evaluated by mid 2006, after which a prototype of
the most eligible version would be built and tested in a USPS site.
There are important considerations for both the Postal Service and the
suppliers, all of whom are sharing development costs and risks.

With either system there are significant logistic factors that must be
considered since the profile of mail movement will be affected. For
example, more mail will be moved upstream in the process and a greater
volume of mail will go directly to the delivery unit, which affects the
space requirements for mail processing at all locations, as well as the
need to more carefully manage the mail flow through the system. There
will also be impacts on mailers, including the need to use the 11-digit
barcode, improved address quality (readability and location), and
possibly change mail makeup and preparation routines (especially
changing drop ship locations).

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Tom%20Day%20%20215p.ppt)

**Corporate Automation Plan**

**Phase II Steering Committee Report**

**Paul Vogel, VP Network Operations Management**

**Bob O'Brien, Industry Chair**

Mr. O'Brien reported that the Executive Steering Committee set a goal of
supporting the development of an automation plan that would meet the
needs of the Postal Service and its customers, and more specifically to
help communicate the automation strategy to the mailing community and
encourage maximum input from mailers. That required looking at the
formation of appropriate work groups. The Committee met in January and
will continue to work toward its goal.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Bob%20O'Brien%20%20245p.ppt)

**Integrated Mail Management**

**Paul Vogel, VP Network Operations Management**

Mr. Vogel discussed the integration of Postal One!, surface visibility
and Facility Access and Shipment Tracking (FAST), as they apply to
Integrated Mail Management. Surface visibility is the ability to track
mail, mail containers and mail transport equipment in real time from
induction to delivery.

The Postal Service has developed experience in mail visibility through
the air carrier system that utilizes commercial carriers. That
experience supports the move to develop a visibility process for mail
that moves on the ground. Objectives include more efficient dock
operations, increased number of load/unload slots and faster dock times,
and greater accuracy with regard to verification and accurate revenue
capture.

Visibility starts with an intelligent barcode that allows a continuous
and real-time tracking capability using multiple scanners connected to a
computer system than can consolidate information about each mail piece,
the container it is in and the transportation equipment used to move
from point to point. One aspect of visibility is accountability, and the
ability to track performance of all involved -- not only the Postal
Service operation, but the mailer's ability to comply with the
regulations for preparing and handling mail, and the mailer's compliance
with policies and promises (arriving on time with the mail load
described at the outset). That allows a mailer rating system which may,
if adopted, affect the mailer's ability to obtain the highest level of
service in regard to appointments, etc.

As the mail integration process is implemented there will continue to be
sites that operate on the current manual system, but mailers are
encouraged to prepare for full implementation by registering for Postal
One! and adopting the enhanced barcode.

During discussion it was noted that 30,000 scanners had been ordered. A
pilot program already completed proved that the system works well, and
that over 70% of data now entered manually will be incorporated into the
barcode scanning process.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Paul%20Vogel%20%20300p.ppt)

**Alternative Packaging Materials for Parcels (WG #91)**

**Brian Euclide and Jim Magellan**

Mr. Euclide noted that the definition of parcel has changed from the box
or carton of ten years ago to a variety of packaging processes. The work
group is looking at alternative materials for mail classified as parcels
-- such as shrink-wrapped bundles of multiple components. Sometimes
there are discrepancies between the standards for parcels versus those
that apply to periodical firm bundles, even though they are handled in
the same way.

The work group has met and decided on objectives. First, there are
mailers who are mailing bound printed matter machinable parcels in
traditional parcel packaging (e.g., cartons) who may prefer to use an
alternative packing material and configuration. Secondly, there are
mailers sending multiple units in a single package (usually
poly-wrapped) that are often not handled appropriately, routed to parcel
sorters not designed to handle that kind of packaging, and often treated
like a bundle and broken open. The work group will look at alternative
packaging, possible modes of education and training, and how APPS may
contribute to a solution.

**Improving the Change of Address System for Colleges and Universities
(WG #90)**

**Thom Roylance, Jim Wilson, Frank Spencer and Peter Moore**

Mr. Moore reported that the work group was looking at the unique problem
that universities encounter with seasonal moves (students leaving for
the summer break) and other changes when students graduate and leave the
schools permanently. The addresses involved are not within the USPS
system and the universities are not consistent in their approaches to
the situation. Even within a single large university there may be
inconsistent policies and procedures.

The work group is trying to identify a Postal Service product that might
serve to resolve this situation, and the current proposal is to link in
some way to NCOA^LINK^. Thom Roylance has agreed to a test at Brigham
Young University using about 3,500 address changes in April and May, a
test that should produce some data to help design a more universal
process. There are also commercial services that may be able to purge
incorrect addresses from a school's address database, but there is no
way to move that data outside of the university database. A meeting will
be held at the Postal Forum to discuss the issue with the commercial
vendors.

**Second Day**

###### THURSDAY, February 24

**Zone Analysis Program (ZAP)**

**Bob Dvonch, Acting Manager, Business Mail Acceptance**

Mr. Dvonch described the Zone Analysis Program (ZAP), noting that
previously Postmasters who were authorized to accept periodicals had to
perform an annual postage payment review for each publisher. The review
process was mainly manual, complicated and time consuming. ZAP was
developed to reduce that burden and various options became available to
mailers that would validate their postage payment schedules. The purpose
of the annual review is to insure that mailers are correctly classifying
zone rates for their mailings, which assures that their rates are set in
accordance with the regulations.

Under ZAP, which is available to all publishers, the current labor
intensive procedures will consist of several mailer options. Using ZAP,
the mailing office, whether that office is the original or additional
office, will continue to verify the correct zone allocation and
advertising percentages annually. There are several options:

Under Option 1, publishers who have PAVE-certified software must use the
software to assign zones and submit supporting documentation that shows
the date of the latest USPS National zone matrix. Under Option 2,
publishers with software that is not PAVE-certified submit their test
files for approval through the Memphis NCSC. Under Option 3, publishers
who have software that is not NCSC-approved must submit standardized
documentation (and a detailed zone listing), and the receiving post
office will verify the zone accuracy. Finally, under Option 4, if a
publisher has no software support, the standardized documentation and an
annual detailed zone listing is submitted annually, and the receiving
post office will validate the zone accuracy and verify the advertising
percentage.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Bob%20Dvonch%20%20825a.ppt)

**Coding Accuracy Support System -- Refinements and Awareness (WG #89)**

**Cynthia Harrelson, Ruth Jones and Wayne Orbke**

Ms. Harrelson reported on the CASS work group, noted that the mission
included looking at consistency among CASS software programs, as well as
the standards for grading software programs, industry's contribution to
parsing and matching, and awareness of the process of developing and
using CASS software. The work group has been active, with ten meetings
since August 2004. Two subgroups were formed, an Education and Response
Team and a CASS-Developer-Vendor Team to address pertinent issues. Of
the 47 possible issues, about half were directly applicable to the work
group (23 education, 3 vendor) and the rest were appropriate to other
possible work groups. A number of approaches to the education issues
were considered -- print, video, visuals, etc. The work group finally
decided on a basic brochure, a video, and a more detailed and technical
publication. The brochure will cover a number of basic topics --
spelling errors, duplicate or similar firm names, use of the web site,
CASS certification, useful tools and other information. The publication
will cover much more detailed and technical topics -- using DPV, CASS
directories, CASS architecture and more.

Next steps include publishing the brochure (by May) and the video (by
October) and presenting at a session at the National Postal Forum. The
work group will sunset at the next MTAC meeting in May.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Cynthia%20Harrelson%20%20855a.ppt)

**Improving the Drop Shipment Process (WG \# 87)**

**Anita Pursley and Cindy Mallonee**

Ms. Pursley discussed the Facility Access and Shipment Tracking system,
noting that the pilot test had just begun. Although only the pilot
mailer testing online appointment scheduling has actually begun
participating, the web site is up and running There was a recent
training program for the pilot mailers at the Great Lakes facility, and
the work group discussed a communications plan at the last meeting. As
part of that plan, there is a FAST/Surface Visibility link on the RIBBS
web site -- it includes the FAST User Guide (draft), FAST technical
information, barcode specifications and a general presentation of FAST.

The deployment after the pilot should begin in June and continue through
November, running in parallel with the present DSAS program. The work
group will meet after the MTAC meeting to look at the entire FAST
program, deployment plans, and the rating system that has been announced
previously. It will be an important meeting for mailers.

During discussion, there was a comment that most mailers would support a
rating system, but there were a number of MTAC members who commented
that it might be better to postpone implementation of the rating system
until the Postal Service and the mailers have had some experience with
FAST. Finally, there was a brief discussion about the interface of
PostalOne! with the FAST system.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Anita%20Pursley%20%20915a.ppt)

**Consistency of Mailing Standards and Business Mail Acceptance (WG
#86)**

**Sue Taylor, Sherry Freda and Pritha Mehra (Bob O'Brien)**

Mr. O'Brien, reporting on behalf of the work group, stated the mission
of the work group, to identify inconsistencies in mailing standards and
regulations and propose solutions. The work group has completed most of
its planned projects and is anticipating sunsetting.

The new Merlin web site is up and running and customers may submit
questions and comments to Business Mail Acceptance (BMA) through the
site. The draft MERLIN chapter of the DM 109 was released for comment
and there is a revised Merlin brochure in development. There is an
ongoing BMEU Proficiency Program that has a Mystery Caller component
that calls 100 sites in each district per quarter, and a Gallup Survey
component that mails surveys that invite responses from 100,000
customers per quarter, that are in the Permit/PostalOne! data base
(experiencing a 10% return). There is a continuing effort by BMA to
measure technical and other performance scores.

The DMM 300 will be available at the Postal Forum and there is a monthly
DMM Advisory publication and MTAC members may subscribe at no cost
through the web site. Finally, the work group has finalized a
communication plan that will be described in the work group's final
report.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Sue%20Taylor%20Sherry%20Freda%20925a.ppt)

**PostalOne! Postage Payment & Statements -- Approach & Design (WG \#
84)**

**Dan Minnick, Pritha Mehra and Karen Zachok**

The work group continues to address gaps that may exist in the
electronic environment of Postal One!  Ms. Zachok announced that the
next software release, 9.0, is scheduled for April 3.  It will support
Mail.dat 05-1.  Electronic postage statements will also be available on
April 3, eliminating any paper transactions for those participating. 
Mail owners will also be able to access postage statements through
Postal One!

Currently there are 1,343 Postal One! users from 24 mail owner
companies, plus 29 business partners.  There are 45 eDocumentation and
25 ePostage sites, and there are 110 sites in the queue to join Postal
One!  They should be on board within six months. 

Postal One! release 10.0 is planned for August 28 and it will include
enhanced Mail.dat processing capabilities, the ability to download data
and integration of USPS.com business registration.  FAST will be moving
into Postal One!, bringing the electronic 8125 (perhaps by late
summer). 

Mr. Minnick commented that the work group has two subgroups -- the
PostalOne! Users subgroup and the \"What Is A Mailing\" subgroup.   The
Users subgroup holds regular telecoms to discuss the nitty gritty of
Postal One! -- there are 19 open issues, 15 were resolved, 8 were taken
care of by the 9.0 release, and one is still under consideration (jobs
with multiple permits).  The \"What Is A Mailing\" subgroup is focused
on defining how the mailing facility /owner communicate to the US Postal
Service the set of pieces to be considered a "mailing."  Mail.dat
defines a mailing as a "Segment".  The US Postal Service can use this
criteria to receive the mailing facility\'s/owner\'s intent in terms
that the PostalOne! software can manage.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Dan%20Minnick%20%20945a.ppt)

**Parcel Delivery Performance Measurement Effectiveness (WG #82)**

**Chris Finley and Bob Fisher**

Mr. Fisher, noting that the work group would sunset, outlined its
accomplishments. A customer-oriented report is now in use, quality
measurements are in place, start-the-clock requirements are ready when
the 8125 goes electronic, the BSN has developed a way to use parcel data
produced by the system, and access to EDW reports is progressing. A
customer parcel service report (CPSR) has been developed that includes
all mail pieces, and will include EDW in the spring. There are shipment
arrival quality measurements in the report. The results of all this
effort: on-time service is at an all-time high, scanning has improved,
and communication on service improvement issues is more data oriented.

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Chris%20Finley%20Bob%20Fisher%20%201035a.PPT)

**Flat Mail Preparation Optimization (WG \# 81)**

**Joe Lubenow and Marc McCrery**

Mr. McCrery described a number of accomplishments by the work group,
including the combination of non-AFSM 100 5-digit and carrier-route
bundles in direct delivery unit containers, implementation of the
3-digit flats scheme that combines three zip codes in bundles that match
our incoming primary sort plans, and the acceptance of non-sacked
Periodicals at delivery units. The L009 labeling plan, previously
discussed at MTAC meetings, has been implemented to take care of
residual flats (mixed ADC bundles) at 32 processing locations.

A major initiative on APPS visibility has been published in the Federal
Register. The rule requires improved address label visibility, and
includes specifications for banding that do not obstruct labels, the
quality of the shrink-wrap material, the label position, and bundle
integrity. Industry comments have been received and are currently being
evaluated.

An important Postal Service objective is to eliminate sacks and a number
of preparation changes are under consideration that would contribute to
that goal -- elimination of shrink-wrap requirements for bundles (use of
double strapping instead) on BMC pallets, entry of non-sacked Standard
ECR bundles at delivery units, and the entry of non-sacked flat bundles
at destinating plants when flats remain in the receiving facility
service area. Also, there could likely be a change in the minimum
weights of the last pallet, perhaps as low as 250 pounds, or 100 pounds
if drop shipped.

Also, on the longer-term side, there is consideration of allowing
mixed/residual flats on pallets. Finally, a future initiative will look
at combined preparation of mixed classes, co-palletization and
co-mailing.

## 

[Please click here to view
presentation](../MTAC0205/Marc%20McCreary%20%201055a.ppt)

## Adjournment 

## 

## The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.