# Presentation: 024290

## Generating theIntelligent Mail® Barcode

## Getting Started

**STEP 1:****	****Talk with mail service providers & vendors **
**STEP 2:****	****Apply for Mailer ID (MID)**
**STEP 3:****	****Download software to translate your intelligent data into the Intelligent Mail barcode**
**STEP 4:****	****Populate barcode fields**
**STEP 5:****	****Generate correct barcodes**

**Notes:**
There are five easy steps to getting started with either the Full Service or Basic offer for Intelligent Mail.  Those steps are:

Talk with your mail service provider and vendors to determine your best method for implementing Intelligent Mail.  Your providers can give you guidance as to how best meet your mailing needs with the options USPS has provided.
 Apply for a Mailer ID (MID) which will be used to identify your mail in the network.
Download software you will need to translate your intelligent data into Intelligent Mail barcodes.
Generate the data needed to populate the fields in the Intelligent Mail barcode.
Actually create the barcodes and apply them to your mailpieces, handling units and containers.

Understanding these steps helps will help you make an informed decision and help determine what questions you need to ask yourself or your vendors.

## Step 1 of 5

**Talk with mail service providers and vendors**
- Determine whether you would like to implement Intelligent Mail yourself or through a provider/vendor.

**Notes:**
Step 1

A conversation with your mail service provider or other vendors that you use to manage data about your mailings will likely be very helpful.  They can help you to understand the data needed to take advantage of the Intelligent Mail offers and how the differences in those offers will fit your mailing needs.  Those conversations will help you to understand how best to take advantage of the benefits the suite of Intelligent Mail barcodes provides.

There are two initial decisions you will need to make:
Which Intelligent Mail offer do you want to implement – the basic or full service offer?
The next decision is a “make” or “buy” one.  You have to ask yourself whether you want to perform the implementation steps by yourself, which includes integrating the software into your systems and processes, or would you prefer to buy a vendor’s solution.
The best way to answer these questions is to talk with your mail service providers, vendors and local resources (like the PCC).

## Apply for Mailer ID
Contact your local Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA):
Online tool at pe.usps.com
Click “Mailpiece Design”
Click “Lookup Tool” under heading “Mailpiece Design Analyst”
Survey will be completed and 6 or 9-digit MID assigned based on mail volume

**Contact your local *****Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA)*****:**
**Online tool at**** **_[pe.usps.com](http://pe.usps.gov/)_
**Click “Mailpiece Design”**
**Click “Lookup Tool” under heading “Mailpiece Design Analyst”**
**Survey will be completed and 6 or 9-digit MID assigned based on mail volume**

- Step 2 of 5

**Notes:**
Step 2) Apply for Mailer ID

The Mailer ID is a field within the Intelligent Mail® barcodes that is used to identify Mail Owners and/or Mailing Agents. The IDs are assigned by the USPS to each Mail Owner and/or Mailing Agent or other service providers that request them. Mailer IDs can be a 9-digit numeric or a 6-digit numeric and are assigned based upon annual mail volume criteria.

The easiest way to apply for a Mailer ID is to contact your local Mailpiece Design Analyst.  If you do not know who your local MDA is there is an easy lookup tool on Postal Explorer (pe.usps.com). 

## Download Intelligent Mail software

**Download Intelligent Mail software**

**Intelligent Mail Data**

- Font

- Encoder

_**Font software**_** **
**Converts printing instructions into barcode**

_**Encoder software**_** Converts intelligent data into printing instructions**

- Step 3 of 5

## Download Software

- Or contact the National Customer Support Center at(877) 640-0724

- To download fonts/encoders, request a user ID and password at _[https://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSolution/](https://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSolution/)_

## Example

**Notes:**
Here is a example using an online Encoder tool USPS has provided to make it easier for you to create the Intelligent Mail barcode for your letter and flat mailpieces.  The Encoder tool is found on ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution

Barcode ID is 00 as there is no OEL associated with this piece.
Special Services is 040 to designate First-Class Mail with Destination Confirm.  Please note the Special Services field is never populated with all zeros.
Mailer ID (formerly known as Customer ID) was assigned as 123456.  Please note the Mailer ID field is never populated with all zeros.
The customer wanted to uniquely identify this piece with 200800001.
The ZIP Code was 987654321

After entering the data in the applicable fields and clicking “encode” the tool will return the 65-character string called “Barcode Characters” and it will apply an Intelligent Mail font to output the barcode.  Please note that the barcode displayed on the web site is not “camera-ready” so you would not be able to use it to create a mailing.

## Free Encoders

**Three new encoders coming online this year:**
**Mac OS, HP/UX, and Solaris**

**Notes:**
These encoders are not the same as the online tool shown previously.  The software code is compiled but source code is available upon request.  The Postal Service provides software support for several combinations of language environments.  Here are some examples of languages that are supported (C, Java 2, COBOL, and PL/1) and platforms (MVS, z/OS, VSE/ESA, OS/400, AIX, Linux/6000, Linux/Intel, and Windows).  These resources are available for registered RIBBS users. Please contact the U. S. Postal Service National Customer Support Center at 877-640-0724 or email the NCSC at onecodesolution@usps.gov in order to register.

Proprietary applications and printing environments are the responsibility of the vendor; not the Postal Service.

The MS Office package allows you to produce Intelligent Mail barcodes in MS Access or MS Excel.  An MS Word document with screenshots explaining how to download and install the MS encoder and font is available.

## Free Fonts

**New shorter-height fonts (close to the minimum 0.125”) being developed and tested.**

**Notes:**
There are many commercial products that provide the fonts you will need to create the Intelligent Mail barcodes.  These new fonts will also meet the updated barcode specifications the Postal Service has defined.  For printing Intelligent Mail® barcodes in a production environment, a variety of Intelligent Mail® barcode fonts are available for each of the four major production printing environments: TrueType, AFP (MVS, AS/400, VM, VSE), HP PCL, PostScript, and Xerox Metacode. 

The Intelligent Mail fonts capable of printing at the shortest height specification for the barcode should be available soon.  When the new fonts are posted on RIBBS an email will be sent to registered users.

## Populate the IMTM Barcode Fields
Barcode ID defines the presort makeup in conjunction with an Optional Endorsement Line (OEL). 
Service Type ID defines the mail class and any services requested (e.g., OneCode Confirm, OneCode ACS).
Do not use “000” 
Mailer ID is a 6-digit or 9-digit number that uniquely identifies the mail owner or mailing agent. 
Serial Number uniquely (not always!) identifies the mailpiece or mailing.  
Routing Code is used to encode the destination ZIP Code of the mailpiece.  
Never pad ZIP Code with zeroes, spaces or any other digits that are not part of the ZIP Code; same as POSTNET
IM Barcode does not require CHECK DIGIT

***Barcode ID*** defines the presort makeup in conjunction with an Optional Endorsement Line (OEL).
***Service Type ID*** defines the mail class and any services requested (e.g., OneCode Confirm, OneCode ACS).
- Do not use “000”
***Mailer ID***** **is a 6-digit or 9-digit number that uniquely identifies the mail owner or mailing agent.
***Serial Number ***uniquely (not always!) identifies the mailpiece or mailing.
***Routing Code ***is used to encode the destination ZIP Code of the mailpiece.
- Never pad ZIP Code with zeroes, spaces or any other digits that are not part of the ZIP Code; same as POSTNET
- IM Barcode does not require CHECK DIGIT

- Step 4 of 5

**Notes:**
The Intelligent Mail barcode is made up of five separate fields that you will need to populate to create the barcode.
Barcode ID:  this field is where you would include the Optional Endorsement Line information if required for the mail you are preparing.  In most cases you would populate this field with “00”. The exception is for flat mail bundles with an optional endorsement line, where the Intelligent Mail barcode must contain OEL coding corresponding to the correct sortation level. 
Service Type ID:  in this field, you will indicate the services you are requesting from USPS.  For a complete listing of the Service Type IDs, refer to Appendix B of the Intelligent Mail Barcode Technical Resource Guide available on RIBBS.
Mailer ID:  this is the identifier you will use to identify yourself in the IM barcode. Mailer IDs are assigned by the Postal Service and will be used to link mailpieces from your mailings to you.
Serial Number:  this field is used to uniquely identify mailpieces for the Full Service offer.  For the Basic offer, you can use the same serial number on all of your mailpieces.  The mailer determines the uniqueness method using a variety of techniques such as: serializing the mailpieces, embedding Julian dates, embedding mailing event data, using recipient identifier, using database or mailing record ID.
Routing Code:  you indicate the ZIP destination of the mailpiece in this field.  Routing codes can be 5-digit, 9-digit or 11-digit codes.  The ZIP Code must never be padded with leading or trailing zeroes, spaces or nulls.

## Put Everything Together and Generate the Barcodes

Apply IM barcode to pieces:
Put all the data fields together to form the digit string
Pass the digit string to the encoder
Apply the font to the encoded 65 bar string
Note: the IM barcode is ALWAYS 65 bars
Create Intelligent Mail Tray Labels
Create Intelligent Mail Container Placards

**Apply IM barcode to pieces:**
**Put all the data fields together to form the digit string**
**Pass the digit string to the encoder**
**Apply the font to the encoded 65 bar string**
**Note: the IM barcode is ALWAYS 65 bars**
**Create Intelligent Mail Tray Labels**
**Create Intelligent Mail Container Placards**

- Step 5 of 5

**Notes:**
Once you have the data you need and the specifications and software needed to create the fonts and labels, you are ready to start mailing.  Place Intelligent Mail barcodes on your mailpieces and if you are using the Full Service option you should also apply Intelligent Mail Tray Labels to your handling units (trays, tubs, sacks) and Intelligent Mail Container Placards to your mailing containers (pallets, All-Purpose Containers, gaylords).

## To create Intelligent Mail Tray labels:
Current specification uses largest label stock sizes and holders
Obtain and follow the specifications available on the Rapid Information Bulletin Board System: ribbs.usps.gov/ to create and print labels
Proposed Changes - add text area to the right of the 24 digit barcode and accommodate smaller label stock heights; test in March 2008
Plan - Update specifications and DMM changes to allow use of the 10/24 digit Tray Label 

**Current specification uses largest label stock sizes and holders**
**Obtain and follow the specifications available on the Rapid Information Bulletin Board System: **_[ribbs.usps.gov](http://ribbs.usps.gov/)__[/](http://ribbs.usps.gov/)_** to create and print labels**
**Proposed Changes - add text area to the right of the 24 digit barcode and accommodate smaller label stock heights; test in March 2008**
**Plan - Update specifications and DMM changes to allow use of the 10/24 digit Tray Label **

- Step 5 of 5

**Notes:**
The Intelligent Mail Tray Label (IMTM Tray label), formerly known as the Enhanced Distribution Label (EDL), is a new label format that will be used on all trays, tubs, and sacks. These new labels will include a unique 24-digit Intelligent Mail Tray barcode in addition to the 10-digit barcode currently in use. These labels will allow the Postal Service to uniquely identify each tray, tub, and sack as well as the originator of each handling unit as it makes its way throughout the Postal Service’s mail processing and transportation networks. 

Talk to your Mail Service Provider or software vendor about generating the Intelligent Mail Tray Label.

## Step 5 of 5

**To create Intelligent Mail Container Barcodes:**
**Go to the Rapid Information Bulletin Board System: **_[ribbs.usps.gov](http://ribbs.usps.gov/)__[/](http://ribbs.usps.gov/)_** for the Intelligent Mail Container Barcode specifications**
**Plan - DMM update to allow the use of new layout and instructions for the (pallet/placard) labels**

**Notes:**
The Intelligent Mail Container Barcode is used on mailer-generated pallet/container labels to uniquely identify the unit load (pallet, container, or rolling stock).  The specification document on how to create the barcode is available on RIBBS.  

Other human-readable data elements, beyond the Intelligent Mail Container Barcode, such as text identifying the mail owner, destination, and type of mail are also required on the placard (see Section 705 of the Domestic Mail Manual for more information).  Certain USPS programs may also have additional program-specific requirements.  Contact your USPS account representative or the PostalOne! helpdesk at (800) 522-9085 if you need assistance in determining these requirements. 

Talk to your vendor about generating the label and barcode.

## Same as POSTNET, except:
2.667 – 3.225 inches in length (3 bars longer)
0.125 – 0.165 inch in height (vs. 0.115 – 0.135)
0.028 vertical barcode clearance (vs. 0.040)

- 2.667 – 3.225 inches in length (3 bars longer)
- 0.125 – 0.165 inch in height (vs. 0.115 – 0.135)
- 0.028 vertical barcode clearance (vs. 0.040)

- Clearance between barcode and text lines same as clearance between text lines!

- IM BarcodeSpecification Tolerances

**Notes:**
The specification tolerances for the IM barcode on letter and flat mailpieces are similar to those for the POSTNET except:

2.667 – 3.225 inches in length (3 bars longer)
0.125 – 0.165 inch in height (vs. 0.115 – 0.135)
0.028 vertical barcode clearance (vs. 0.040)

NOTE: the above height values are ONLY for the FULL BAR (overall height of the barcode).  The IM barcode also has separate tolerances for the Tracker, Ascender, and Descender bars. POSTNET has a separate tolerance for the short bar.  The Intelligent Mail barcode is taller than the POSTNET because additional vertical separation is needed between the four different bar heights in order for them to be detected correctly.

A clear zone shall be placed around the barcode to ensure that readers can locate and read the barcode. A minimum clear zone shall be 0.028 inch above and below the barcode and 0.125 inch on each end of the barcode.

The specifications are finalized and the same spec is used to generate barcodes on letters and flats.  Fonts that can produce the barcode at the smallest heights will be added to RIBBS towards the end of March.

## Tilt and Skew Tolerances

**Same as POSTNET, except that instead of baseline, you need to look for the centerline!**

- Barcode Skew

- Bar Rotation

**Notes:**
Barcode Tilt – When printing height-modulated barcodes, two types of tilt can occur:
 Barcode skew, in which the entire barcode is skewed with respect to the bottom edge of the mailpiece
 Bar rotation, in which the individual bars are rotated with respect to the centerline of the barcode
Barcode skew for letter mail pieces shall be limited to ±5°

The maximum bar rotation acceptable on flat mail pieces shall be ± 10 degrees from a perpendicular to the base line of the barcode.  There is no barcode skew requirement on flat mail pieces.  It is, however, preferred that the combined effect of barcode skew and bar rotation be limited to a maximum of ±10 degrees from a perpendicular to the top or bottom edges of the mail piece for horizontally oriented barcodes, and left or right edges of the mail piece for vertically oriented barcodes.

## Void Specification

- 0.010

- Maximum dot matrix spacing increased from 0.005 to 0.010 inch.

**Increase in the allowed space between dots (voids).**

**Notes:**
Underinking, common with inkjet and dot matrix printers, can cause a bar to fail to meet its minimum dimensions and prevent successful barcode interpretation.  Ideally, inkjet printing, dot matrix printing, or any other similar printing process should yield dots that touch or overlap. If the dots do not touch, the space between the dots should not exceed 0.010 inch.

## Placement on letters
Address block OR
Barcode clear zone
Placement on flats
On address side AND
At least 1/8 inch from any edge of the piece
To avoid ambiguity, only one IM barcode can be placed in the same area.  
Placement configurations of the IM barcode on a letter-size and flat-size mail are defined in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM), sections 202 and 302. 

- Placement on letters
- Address block OR
- Barcode clear zone
- Placement on flats
- On address side AND
- At least 1/8 inch from any edge of the piece
- To avoid ambiguity, only one IM barcode can be placed in the same area.
- Placement configurations of the IM barcode on a letter-size and flat-size mail are defined in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM), sections 202 and 302.

- Placement Configurations

## Manual Tools
Visual Inspection
Plastic Templates
Optical Comparator
Software Tools
Online Encoder/Decoder
Scanners and Verifiers

**Visual Inspection**
**Plastic Templates**
**Optical Comparator**
**Software Tools**
**Online Encoder/Decoder**
**Scanners and Verifiers**

- Validating IM Barcodes

**Notes:**
The Postal Service has also developed a number of tools that can be used to ensure you are preparing your Intelligent Mail barcodes appropriately.  Manual tools can be used to verify the physical characteristics of an Intelligent Mail barcode you have already created.  Software tools help you prepare your barcodes in electronic format or provide an electronic verification of the quality of the barcode.

Visual inspection often reveals deficiencies with the mailpiece that render barcode inspection unnecessary.  You can visually check a mailpiece to determine if the barcode has 65 bars, if the barcode has excessive slanting or tilting, or if the printing of the bars is smeared to the point that the bars appear to be overlapping.

## 

Great tool available from local BSN or MDA

- Great tool available from local BSN or MDA

**Automation Barcode Gauge Template (Item #04A)**

- Plastic Template

**Notes:**
There is a great template available from your Business Service Network (BSN) or Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA) that you can use to manually inspect your barcodes for compliance with the specifications.  The first tool is the Automation Barcode Gauge Template (Item 04A).  It provides the fastest way to pass or reject a piece based on spec tolerances and it has been updated to include information about the Intelligent Mail barcode.

Please note that the gauge does not provide information on lower-right barcode clear zone or OCR address block location.  You need to refer to Notice 67, Automation Template, to validate barcode placement.

## Complements Item 04A with ability to measure exact heights/widths and to assess barcode jitter (~centerline shift).

**Optical Comparator 6X (Eye Gage)**
**  ****by Gageline Technology **

- Using Optical Comparator

**Notes:**
The second tool is the Optical Comparator 6X which provides the ability to measure exact heights/widths and to assess barcode shift from the center line (jitter).  This eye gage is available for purchase from Gageline Technology.

## Online Tools

**Notes:**
The USPS has also provided tools to make it easier for you to create the Intelligent Mail barcode. Use these online tools to quickly Decode (convert a sequence of bars into meaningful tracking and delivery point ZIP information) or Encode (generate a barcode based on tracking and delivery point ZIP information) the Intelligent Mail barcode. 

## Online Decoder

**Notes:**
Similar to the Encoder tool shown earlier, this is a screen shot of the online Decoder for the Intelligent Mail barcode on letter and flat mailpieces.

In the Barcode Character box you would type one of four letters that represent each of the 65 bars in the barcode.  

“D” stands for the Descender Bar – or the 3⁄4 bar that points down.  
“A” stands for the Ascender Bar – or the 3⁄4 bar that points up.  
“F” stands for the Full Bar.  
“T” stands for the Tracker Bar – or the small bar in the middle.

After you type all 65 letters and click “Decode”, the Intelligent Mail data will appear next to the field names.

Decoders are not owned by the Postal Service; check with vendors for other decoders.

## Scanners and Verifiers
The Culver Group – HHP4600 scanner
Videk – Model 2030 scanner, IMB Verifier
BÖWE BELL + HOWELL – Mail Verifier Plus (MVP)
Motorola / Symbol
Scanners – DS3408, DS3478 and DS6707
Mobile computers – MC50, MC70, MC3000, MC9000

- The Culver Group – HHP4600 scanner
- Videk – Model 2030 scanner, IMB Verifier
- BÖWE BELL + HOWELL – Mail Verifier Plus (MVP)
- Motorola / Symbol
- Scanners – DS3408, DS3478 and DS6707
- Mobile computers – MC50, MC70, MC3000, MC9000

- Scanners and Verifiers

**Notes:**
Several companies provide scanners that can read linear and 2D barcodes as well as perform Optical Character Recognition.  Some can also capture photo images.  Please note that the scanners will only decode the barcode; the verifiers will validate the barcode against the specifications.

This may not be an exhaustive list so please check with your vendors to determine what solution is right for you.

## Converting to the IM barcode 
Your Vendors and USPS MDA are valuable resources
Obtaining a Mailer ID is free
Encoders and fonts available for free; however, integrating an encoder into existing software may require IT involvement
Applying the IM barcode on mailpieces is the same as POSTNET

- Your Vendors and USPS MDA are valuable resources
- Obtaining a Mailer ID is free
- Encoders and fonts available for free; however, integrating an encoder into existing software may require IT involvement
- Applying the IM barcode on mailpieces is the same as POSTNET

- Key Takeaways

**Notes:**
As you can see, converting to the Intelligent Mail barcode is a straightforward process that will provide you with many benefits.  The Postal Service has created a number of tools to make this process as easy as possible and has provided numerous resources to help you along the way.  Remember, you can always reach out to your MDA to get advice or direction around the suite of Intelligent Mail barcodes.  Your vendors and mail service providers will also likely have resources to help you take advantage of these new barcodes.  

Remember too that:
The Postal Service does not charge for Mailer IDs; regardless of whether you need one or more than one.  Please note there may be a charge for additional Mailer IDs requested with the Confirm service.
Encoders and fonts are available for free, however if you choose to integrate the software into your existing IT platform it will likely require IT expertise
Applying the Intelligent Mail barcodes to your letters and flats is very similar to applying POSTNET barcodes.

## Rapid Information Bulletin Board System: ribbs.usps.gov
Intelligent Mail Barcode for letters and flats
Encoder Software, Fonts and Online Tools
Intelligent Mail Barcode Specifications
Technical Resource Guide
Mailer ID Guidelines
OneCode Confirm and OneCode ACS Technical Guides
Intelligent Mail Tray Label Specifications
Intelligent Mail Container Barcode Specifications
Domestic Mail Manual
USPS Publications
Mailpiece Design Analyst

- Intelligent Mail Barcode for letters and flats
- Encoder Software, Fonts and Online Tools
- Intelligent Mail Barcode Specifications
- Technical Resource Guide
- Mailer ID Guidelines
- OneCode Confirm and OneCode ACS Technical Guides
- Intelligent Mail Tray Label Specifications
- Intelligent Mail Container Barcode Specifications
- Domestic Mail Manual
- USPS Publications
- Mailpiece Design Analyst

- Your Resources

**Notes:**
To wrap up, USPS has provided a number of tools to make it easier for you to take full advantage of the suite of Intelligent Mail barcodes.  These tools should provide answers to most of your questions; however, you can always reach out to your Mailpiece Design Analyst for help.