Patent ID: 8386528

Claim:
A method of preparing data for use in a printing operation, comprising: receiving selected records from a first data source, wherein the selected records have been subjected to a periodic first record characteristic updating step and the selected records comprise mail information useful for delivery of printed materials; storing the selected records from the first data source in a second data source for use in the printing operation using one or more computing devices; preparing a print production schedule for the printed materials, updating the selected records with a second record characteristic updating step, wherein the second record characteristic updating step is based on mail information received from a memory, the memory being located remote from the first data source, the second data source, and the one or more computing devices, and wherein a time at which the second record characteristic updating step is performed is determined in relation to the print production schedule; and creating a postal pre-sort file based upon the updated selected records for use in the printing operation, wherein the printing operation is performed on a printing device based on the pre-sorted records.