MTE Forecasting and Tracking Workgroup

1
MTE Forecasting and TrackingWorkgroup 108

• Goal To have enough of the right type of MTE
  equipment in the right place at the right time to
  meet every customers need every time.

2
Examination of Root Causes

• Challenges
• Lack of knowledge of customers future needs
  near and long term (rely on history).
• Lack of knowledge regarding inventory in
  customers plants/facilities as well as USPS.
• Lack of understanding/lack of standardization
  regarding forecasting needs and inventory
  management.
• Misuse of Equipment
• Theft of Equipment

3
Corrective Actions

• Forecasting Pilot Subgroup
• Expanding program nationally
• Equipment calculator tool
• Case Study for improvement (replicate)
• Inventory Reporting
• Equipment Inventory Reporting System Internal
  Audit/Review completed
• Currently being added to the on-line Daily Mail
  Condition Report (weekly)
• Exploring External reporting options

4
Corrective Actions

• Inventory Tracking using Technology
• Exploring how MTE information captured at
  Business Mail Entry Units can be used to validate
  customer useage (equipment ordered vs. equipment
  used)
• Exploring the use of RFIDs or Intelligent
  Barcode on pallets (inventory counts/tracking)
  2009
• Intelligent Barcode (Seamless Acceptance) can
  aggregate information on equipment entered by
  customer/origin site/overall.

5
Corrective Action

• Best Practices Subgroup
• Recent Survey conducted by PostCom and Mailing
  Fulfillment Services Association revealed no
  consistencies in forecasting, ordering or
  tracking inventory and few best practices.
• Researching content for Best Practices Guideline
  to be published by mid-summer.

6
Corrective Actions

• Standardization Subgroup
• Gathering information from mail preparers on
  inventory management methodologies.
• Recent Survey of USPS MTE coordinators reflects
  lack of standardization in ordering and
  fulfillment of MTE (outside of MTESC Center
  Operations)
• Research information to create standardization in
  all processes.

7
Corrective Actions

• Contingency Subgroup
• Have developed an approved list of equipment
  alternatives when it has been determined there is
  an MTE shortage.
• Have developed a Contingency Process which
  includes local approval.
• All will be published in the Postal Bulletin

8
Corrective Actions

• Communications Subgroup
• Public Awareness (Misuse/Theft) Its a Crime
  campaign
• Partnering with Inspection Service
• PCC Article Published
• E-mail created - hqmte_at_usps.gov
• 1 800 ASK USPS (not yet published)
• Create Internal/External Campaign (Kits)
• Posters
• Letter addresses to Mailers
• Service Talks
• Articles for Internal/External Publications
• USPS.com

9
Corrective Actions

• Canned MTE Presentation
• MTESCs
• Ordering Cycle
• Workingroup 108
• What You Can Do
• Updated with completed tasks
• To be used at Association meetings, PCCs, Focus
  Groups, etc.
• Communication Plan for completed tasks.

10
Corrective Actions

• Rate Case/Automation Impacts
• Subgroup currently being formed
• Industry representatives familiar with rate
  impacts in mailer behavior
• Industry representatives familiar with campaign
  trends
• USPS mailing standards representative
• USPS rate case specialist
• USPS Operations requirements representative
• Manager, MTE
• Subgroup will evolve into a committee that meets
  2 3 times a year.

11
Bringing It All Together

• MTE Website (MTESC and local ordering)
• Ordering Forms
• Inventory Reporting
• Inventory Management (tools)
• 2-Way Communication
• Newsletter
• Best Practices
• Its A Crime Public Awareness Literature
• USPS contacts