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USPS Business Customer Gateway Mailer ID Application

May 29th, 2009

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New Address Standards for Flat Size Mail

March 24th, 2009

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Mailing Labels on Automation Flats

December 8th, 2008

As we all are aware, the USPS is changing mail every day. The old ways of sorting mail are quickly disappearing as technology takes over for the human aspects. In today’s environment, cameras have replaced the human eye with greater speed and efficiency.

What seemed proper address formatting in the past is no longer with new technology. Incorrectly formatted mail pieces can lead to problems when processing automation mail, especially flat size mail pieces. The use of mailing labels which contain both the return address and the delivery address can be causing a camera system to misdirect your mail. This is due to the close proximity of both addresses. In many cases the intended delivery information is a hand written address, or a hard to read font style, while the return address is very neatly imprinted or computer generated on the address label. When looking for a delivery address a camera system inspects the mail piece for a “readable” address. With the return address being more legible than the intended delivery address the camera system could possibly pick up the return address. This will cause the mail piece to be directed back to your firm rather than the intended delivery address.

United Mailing’s Quality Control procedures include inspection for these errors. However, QC verifications are unable to catch 100% of these errors. The Postal Service’s flat sorting equipment may also create the same error.

United Mailing highly recommends if you use a delivery address label on a mail piece it does NOT also contain the return address of your business within a close proximity. The correct format of a mail piece should have your return address in the upper left hand corner, clearly separating the return address from the intended delivery address.

These formatting errors can cause severe delay in delivery times, as well as wasted postage on misdirected mail pieces. Please consult your local USPS for addressing standards or you UMS Account Representative.

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Changes in the Industry

May 15th, 2008

Once again we are faced with changes in our mailing industry. We realize changes bring great opportunity and UMS is ready and welcomes them. As the USPS makes changes in rates, rules and regulations we have also seen some changes within local Wisconsin vendors. Through it all UMS has stayed focused on our common goal, “helping you save more on mailing”.

Over the course of the last few months we have also witnessed the consolidation, closure, and or sale of several Wisconsin mail service providers. These changes have caused confusion for some Wisconsin based mailers, but we want you to know UMS is willing to assist in any way possible. United Mailing Services, Inc. has provided Wisconsin with 20 years of quality, reliable and loyal mail services. We have always viewed our customers’ mailing concerns as our own, and will always provide our local service teams to assist you. As a service provider we understand the importance of great service. We have always considered and valued our customers as more than just an account number. The volume of mail we process each day is a positive result of our actions we take pride in how we have built UMS in Wisconsin and we will continue with the strong work ethic we have always provided.

Through these changing times, we assure you that our staff and organization will continue to provide you with the best mail service in Wisconsin! To our many satisfied customers, we would like to thank you and look forward to continuing to provide you with excellent services in the future. We guarantee United Mailing Services’ performance will continue to outsell our competitor’s promises.

Thank you,

James L. Kolb

Chief Executive Officer

United Mailing Services, Inc.

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Intelligent Mail Barcode

January 23rd, 2008

Imagine one barcode on a mail piece that includes all the data needed to sort, deliver and request special services such as Certified Mail Service and Registered Mail Service, as well as address correction services. Well it was first known as the “4-State Customer Barcode”, then the “One-Code”. Now the USPS has decided on the name, the “Intelligent Mail Barcode”. Most of you have heard about the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) at some time and may have questions concerning it. The implementation of the IMB is right around the corner, but like always, United Mailing Services has the solution for you.

The Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) is a new USPS barcode used to sort and track letters and flats. The IMB combines the data of the Postnet and Planet Code barcodes together into one code. This allows the USPS a greater trackability of each mail piece. The IMB also gives the customer the ability to add other information into the code, such as other USPS product information, move update or customer identification codes.

The IMB uniquely indentifies the sender, indentifies the mail piece, includes zipcode for sortation and routing, and includes product, special services, or other unique indicators. The IMB is made up of 31 digits: 20 digits for tracking and other data, and 11 digits for routing information. This allows the ability to compact all the data into the one barcode. Providing more accurate, detailed and visible information in every mailing for the Post Office and the mailers.

To receive full postage discounts United Mailing Services must have ability to spray the IMB by January 1, 2009. That date is coming up fast but there are no concerns, United Mailing Services will be ready. UMS has already begun the upgrade process in the Oshkosh facility and the update of all our equipment in the four other sites is right on schedule. Come January 1, 2009 UMS will be spraying Intelligent Mail Barcodes instead of the postnet delivery point barcode we currently spray today. This change should be seamless to our customer base.

There are still many questions about the IMB. As your mail service provider we are watching out for your business concerns and will keep you updated on any issues that may need your attention. The IMB also will give you the owner of the mail, more flexibility into the options available with this code. During your next visit with UMS, make sure you address any questions you may have with the IMB so we can get your answers.

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United Data Tech

January 23rd, 2008

In August of 2006 United Mailing Services, Inc. was excited to announce United Data Tech LLC. United Data Tech is an inkjet, fulfillment, list services, and print to mail division of UMS. With branches open in Wausau and Milwaukee already, UDT has the ability to serve both current and potential customers.

With brand new Videojet Inkjetting Systems, BCC List Software and New Fulfillment Equipment, UDT offers some of the newest technologies in the industry. From Spot Color printing to printing of images and logos and the ability to spray on UV coated stock. UDT uses the same principals of service level offered by UMS. UDT will process jobs of any size and shape. We believe these services and savings should be available to all size business mailers.

UDT’s list management process involves conversions of different file formats, de-duplication, list cleansing and correction. All this is done through list software that can get more of your mail to read at barcode rates which means lower per piece postage costs.

UMS is always searching for additional services to help our customers save more on mailing. With the induction of UDT, UMS has again succeeded on that effort. UDT has seen significant growth and will be adding additional services in the near future. If you are interested or have a project that you think we may be able to help you with call your UMS representative for more information.

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USPS News and Notes

January 23rd, 2008

· Proposed New Standards

Wednesday October 10, 2007 the Postal Service proposed two new revisions in the Federal Register. The proposed revisions included a minimum font type of 8-point and the lines and characters in the address must not touch or overlap (what about handwritten mail?). Here at UMS we believe these revisions should not be passed. If you wish to comment, please contact your UMS representative.

· Move Update for Standard

On September 28, 2007 the USPS published the final rule on the new Move Update standards for First-Class and Standard Mail in the Federal Register. The new standards require mailers to update their mailing lists at a minimum of 95 days vs. 185 days before mailing and extend the revised “Move Update” requirement to include all standard mail. These changes have an effective date of November 23, 2008. For a complete copy of the notice see the Federal Register at www.ribbs.usps.gov

· Cass / Mass Cycle postponed

The USPS has informed CASS/MASS vendors that cycle M implementation will be postponed from August 1, 2008 to August 1, 2009. The current cycle L will be valid through July 31, 2009. However the USPS is still requiring that MASS certified equipment must be able to spray the IMB (intelligent mail barcode) on or before January 1, 2009.

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Delivery Point Validation

October 26th, 2007

As of August 1, 2007 the United States Postal Service implemented Delivery Point Validation (DPV) for all discounted mailers. DPV is a mandate issued by the USPS to all mail owners (UMS customers), and carried out by CASS certified licensees (UMS) to ensure all discounted mail is verified to have a true delivery point address. A true delivery point address means that there is an actual current recipient’s mail box to go along with the address on the mail piece. If the address on the mail piece is not a delivery point address, with a legitimate mail box as the recipient, DPV will reject the mail piece and therefore not be eligible for automation discounts. DPV mail could still be delivered to the recipient, however discounts associated with that mail will no longer be granted by the USPS.

DPV is a strategy the USPS is utilizing to help diminish the costs associated with UAA (Undeliverable as Addressed) mail pieces. UAA is first class mail which the recipient’s address is inaccurate, incomplete, or erroneous on the mail piece. The USPS is unable to deliver the mail piece as they are addressed. DPV provides the highest level of address accuracy checking. DPV is a validation process, not a correction process. Missing data or incorrect elements in the address will not be corrected, merely rejected.

In testing and analyzing DPV live statistics, UMS overall customer base falls well within the USPS estimated levels. Our individual customers average between 1-4% DPV negative results. Additional postage necessary to send customer’s mail out at non-discounted rates will be reflected on customer’s invoices. If you have any questions contact your UMS representative.

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Automation Flats!

May 3rd, 2007

The USPS Rate Case R2006-1 has brought new and exciting changes to the flat mailing industry. These changes have allowed UMS to venture into the commingled flat environment.

UMS has been paying close attention to our largest business partner, the USPS, and the regulations and rate changes they have made to automation flats. When the Federal Registry was released in September of ‘06, we knew UMS needed an automation flat solution that works best for our clients.

UMS had made the capital investment in the V-Sort Flat Sorter by NPI. This will allow UMS to bring additional discounts and savings to our customers. This machine will process flats up to 20,000 flats per hour.

With the best OCR and through-put technology in the industry, this flat sorter will be able to automate your flats, FCM or STD. The USPS has been a great partner working with UMS to make the necessary changes in production. These changes will allow UMS to offer greater discounts to our customers, helping you save more on mailing!

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USPS Business Customer Gateway Mailer ID Application

New Address Standards for Flat Size Mail

Mailing Labels on Automation Flats

Changes in the Industry

Intelligent Mail Barcode

United Data Tech

USPS News and Notes

Delivery Point Validation

Automation Flats!

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