Patent ID: 7343358

Claim:
A system for preparing mail by a mailer for submission to a postal service, the system comprising: a mail finishing system ( 12 ) of the mailer for generating items of mail for inclusion in a submission of mail by the mailer to the postal service; an announcement system ( 16 ) of the mailer connected to the mail finishing system for analyzing the items of mail generated by the mail finishing system and generating an electronic statement based on the composition and value of the items of mail in the submission and for transmitting the electronic statement to the postal service via an electronic link therewith; and a secure accounting system ( 14 ) of the mailer connected to the mail finishing system ( 12 ) and to the announcement system ( 16 ) for generating accounting data relating to the items of mail in the submission for separate transmission via the electronic link to an accounting reconciliation system of the postal service for reconciliation with invoices from the postal service; wherein the mail finishing system, the announcement system, and the secure accounting system are located together to form said system.