Download the new IMb Font Here

USPS IMb Compact for end users if you don't already have the font on your system:

USPS IMb Compact

Facts about the INTELLIGENT MAIL® BARCODE (IMb)

• To obtain the lowest automation prices on Letters and Flats, mailers must use the 65-bar Intelligent Mail® barcode on each mail piece, encoding the delivery point information plus four new fields including an assigned Mailer ID, the class of mail, an optional endorsement line, plus a mail piece sequence number that must remain unique for 45 days.
• New 24-digit tray barcodes and 21-digit container barcodes.
• Electronic documentation using Mail.dat,®Wizard Web Services or Postage Statement Wizard® will be required for the full-service option.
• Must acquire Mailer ID number(s) from the Postal Service, encode all data into the barcode components and then graphically render this barcode on every mail piece, tray and container.

Program optimization means that you must:

• Create mechanisms to capture data provided by the USPS
• Link USPS data back to your source data
• Leverage this data to improve your business

The USPS will provide mailers with two options: Full-Service and Basic

So what does that mean?

• The Basic option will have fewer requirements. The Full-Service option will provide access to more services (such as free ACS and Start the Clock information*) and will enable mailers to earn the greatest postal discounts as of the fall of 2009.

The details below apply to the Full-Service discounts:

• First-Class Mail Letters, Cards, and Flats: Subtract $0.003 for each automation piece that meets the requirements of the full-service Intelligent Mail option.
• Standard Mail Regular and Nonprofit Letters: Subtract $0.001 for each letter that meets the requirements of the full-service Intelligent Mail option.
• Standard Mail Regular and Nonprofit Flats: Subtract $0.001 for each flat that meets the requirements of the full-service Intelligent Mail option (not available for saturation).
• Periodicals Letters and Flats: Subtract $0.001 for each addressed piece that meets the requirements of the full-service Intelligent Mail option.
• Bound Printed Matter (BPM) Flats: Subtract $0.001 for each flat that meets the requirements of the fullservice Intelligent Mail option.

The Basic option, which provides mailers with less intelligence, does not require electronic documentation or the nesting of tray and container barcodes.

FTI Q&A Breakdown of questions from the DMM News Source:

• Are there other key dates that mailers should be aware of between now and the deadline?
• Why should mailers care about the IMb?
• How does it work?
• How do mailers benefit from the Intelligent Mail barcode?
• What are the steps mailers should take to implement the basic IMb?
• What services use the Intelligent Mail barcode and when can I start using it?
• What is the difference between basic IMb and Full-Service IMb standards?
• What is the process for Full-Service IMb clients to qualify?
• What about automation prices?
• Am I required to use the Intelligent Mail barcode in lieu of POSTNET and PLANET codes?
• Where can I place the Intelligent Mail barcode?
• What are the dimensions of the barcode?
• Will I have problems passing MERLIN® program requirements?
• Will I need to complete CASS™ or MASS™ certification again?
• Tell me about the “start-the-clock” statistic and its significance for mailers?
• How many mailers are already using IMb?
• What should printers know about the IMb?
• What tools are available to help me or my provider adopt the Intelligent Mail barcode?
• Where can I find more information on the Intelligent Mail barcode?

For the latest information on the Intelligent Mail barcode, including the full dimension specification, visit the Rapid Information Bulletin Board System (RIBBS) website at: http://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSolution/

CALL OR EMAIL US FOR MORE INFORMATION:

540-949-7266 (Phone)

888-970-9944 (Toll-free)

fti@freelancetech.com