Generating the Intelligent Mail Barcode

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Generating theIntelligent Mail Barcode
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Getting Started

• STEP 1 Talk with mail service providers
  vendors
• STEP 2 Apply for Mailer ID (MID)
• STEP 3 Download software to translate your
  intelligent data into the Intelligent Mail
  barcode
• STEP 4 Populate barcode fields
• STEP 5 Generate correct barcodes

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Step 1 of 5

• Talk with mail service providers and vendors
• Determine whether you would like to implement
  Intelligent Mail yourself or through a
  provider/vendor.

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Step 2 of 5

• Apply for Mailer ID
• Contact your local Mailpiece Design Analyst
  (MDA)
• Online tool at pe.usps.com
• Click Mailpiece Design
• Click Lookup Tool under heading Mailpiece
  Design Analyst
• Survey will be completed and 6 or 9-digit MID
  assigned based on mail volume

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Step 3 of 5

• Download Intelligent Mail software

Intelligent Mail Data
Encoder
Font software Converts printing instructions
into barcode
Encoder software Converts intelligent data into
printing instructions
Font
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Download Software
To download fonts/encoders, request a user ID and
password at https//ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSolution
/
Or contact the National Customer Support Center
at(877) 640-0724
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Example
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Free Encoders
Three new encoders coming online this year Mac
OS, HP/UX, and Solaris
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Free Fonts
New shorter-height fonts (close to the minimum
0.125) being developed and tested.
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Step 4 of 5

• Populate the IM Barcode Fields
• Barcode ID defines the presort makeup in
  conjunction with an Optional Endorsement Line
  (OEL).
• Service Type ID defines the mail class and any
  services requested (e.g., OneCode Confirm,
  OneCode ACS).
• Do not use 000
• Mailer ID is a 6-digit or 9-digit number that
  uniquely identifies the mail owner or mailing
  agent.
• Serial Number uniquely (not always!) identifies
  the mailpiece or mailing.
• Routing Code is used to encode the destination
  ZIP Code of the mailpiece.
• Never pad ZIP Code with zeroes, spaces or any
  other digits that are not part of the ZIP Code
  same as POSTNET
• IM Barcode does not require CHECK DIGIT

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Step 5 of 5

• Put Everything Together and Generate the Barcodes
• Apply IM barcode to pieces
• Put all the data fields together to form the
  digit string
• Pass the digit string to the encoder
• Apply the font to the encoded 65 bar string
• Note the IM barcode is ALWAYS 65 bars
• Create Intelligent Mail Tray Labels
• Create Intelligent Mail Container Placards

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Step 5 of 5

• To create Intelligent Mail Tray labels
• Current specification uses largest label stock
  sizes and holders
• Obtain and follow the specifications available on
  the Rapid Information Bulletin Board System
  ribbs.usps.gov/ to create and print labels
• Proposed Changes - add text area to the right of
  the 24 digit barcode and accommodate smaller
  label stock heights test in March 2008
• Plan - Update specifications and DMM changes to
  allow use of the 10/24 digit Tray Label

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Step 5 of 5

• To create Intelligent Mail Container Barcodes
• Go to the Rapid Information Bulletin Board
  System ribbs.usps.gov/ for the Intelligent Mail
  Container Barcode specifications
• Plan - DMM update to allow the use of new layout
  and instructions for the (pallet/placard) labels

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IM BarcodeSpecification Tolerances

• Same as POSTNET, except
• 2.667 3.225 inches in length (3 bars longer)
• 0.125 0.165 inch in height (vs. 0.115 0.135)
• 0.028 vertical barcode clearance (vs. 0.040)

Clearance between barcode and text lines same as
clearance between text lines!
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Tilt and Skew Tolerances
Same as POSTNET, except that instead of baseline,
you need to look for the centerline!
Bar Rotation
Barcode Skew
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Void Specification
Maximum dot matrix spacing increased from 0.005
to 0.010 inch.
0.010
Increase in the allowed space between dots
(voids).
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Placement Configurations

• Placement on letters
• Address block OR
• Barcode clear zone
• Placement on flats
• On address side AND
• At least 1/8 inch from any edge of the piece
• To avoid ambiguity, only one IM barcode can be
  placed in the same area.
• Placement configurations of the IM barcode on a
  letter-size and flat-size mail are defined in the
  Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), sections 202 and
  302.

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Validating IM Barcodes

• Manual Tools
• Visual Inspection
• Plastic Templates
• Optical Comparator
• Software Tools
• Online Encoder/Decoder
• Scanners and Verifiers

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Plastic Template
Automation Barcode Gauge Template (Item 04A)

• Great tool available from local BSN or MDA

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Using Optical Comparator
Optical Comparator 6X (Eye Gage) by Gageline
Technology

• Complements Item 04A with ability to measure
  exact heights/widths and to assess barcode jitter
  (centerline shift).

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Online Tools
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Online Decoder
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Scanners and Verifiers

• Scanners and Verifiers
• The Culver Group HHP4600 scanner
• Videk Model 2030 scanner, IMB Verifier
• BÖWE BELL HOWELL Mail Verifier Plus (MVP)
• Motorola / Symbol
• Scanners DS3408, DS3478 and DS6707
• Mobile computers MC50, MC70, MC3000, MC9000

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Key Takeaways

• Converting to the IM barcode
• Your Vendors and USPS MDA are valuable resources
• Obtaining a Mailer ID is free
• Encoders and fonts available for free however,
  integrating an encoder into existing software may
  require IT involvement
• Applying the IM barcode on mailpieces is the same
  as POSTNET

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Your Resources

• Rapid Information Bulletin Board System
  ribbs.usps.gov
• Intelligent Mail Barcode for letters and flats
• Encoder Software, Fonts and Online Tools
• Intelligent Mail Barcode Specifications
• Technical Resource Guide
• Mailer ID Guidelines
• OneCode Confirm and OneCode ACS Technical Guides
• Intelligent Mail Tray Label Specifications
• Intelligent Mail Container Barcode Specifications
• Domestic Mail Manual
• USPS Publications
• Mailpiece Design Analyst