Episode 46 – Industry Corner Podcast
BCC Software™ Announces Leadership Changes
New President Christopher O’Brien joins BCC Software as Chris Lien Transitions to Executive Vice President Role ROCHESTER, NY – July 7, 2021: Christopher O’Brien has been named the new President of BCC Software effective June 29, 2021. He replaces Chris Lien, who has led BCC Software over the past twelve years. Prior to joining BCC… Read: BCC Software™ Announces Leadership Changes »
An Update on 2021 and 2022 USPS® Promotions
As June comes to a close, we are now halfway through 2021’s USPS promotions. On May 28th, the 2022 promotions were filed with the Postal Regulatory Committee (PRC). Below are two tables outlining the 2021 Promotions and comparing them to the proposed 2022 promotions. These promotions represent an opportunity for mailers to integrate direct mail… Read: An Update on 2021 and 2022 USPS® Promotions »
Phase Two of Network Rationalization
This article appeared in the June 2021 edition of NPSOA Magazine. Phase two of the United States Postal Service’s® “Network Rationalization” is set to be completed this year. During this phase, the USPS® hopes to make the organization leaner by re-organizing roles and equipment within the network. Eighteen mail sorting facilities across the country are… Read: Phase Two of Network Rationalization »
Episode 45 – Industry Corner Podcast
Mailing and Shipping Solutions Center (MSSC) to Merge With the PostalOne! Helpdesk
June 21, 2021 Mailing and Shipping Solutions Center (MSSC) to Merge With the PostalOne! Helpdesk Effective July 1, 2021, the external PostalOne! Helpdesk will merge into the Mailing & Shipping Solutions Center (MSSC). Customers will need to contact the MSSC with any PostalOne! issues. The current PostalOne! help desk number of 1-800-522-9085 will automatically forward… Read: Mailing and Shipping Solutions Center (MSSC) to Merge With the PostalOne! Helpdesk »
First Scan Data is Now Available within Track N Trace®
What is a first scan? Why the change? A first scan is the earliest physical scan that is received for a mailpiece though the USPS IV-MTR system. Customer and partner interviews revealed a need to understand when tracking initiates for a particular mailpiece. Customers can now determine when a particular mailpiece has been “seen” by… Read: First Scan Data is Now Available within Track N Trace® »
Bill to End Prohibition-Era Ban Gains Bipartisan Support
A ban put forth by the U.S. Postal Service® during the Prohibition-era has once again been deemed outdated by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA), along with 17 other co-sponsors, introduced the USPS® Shipping Equity Act, their solution to decades of the USPS prohibiting the shipment of… Read: Bill to End Prohibition-Era Ban Gains Bipartisan Support »
Douglas Tulino Appointed to Deputy Postmaster General
On May 12, 2021, the USPS® announced Douglas Tulino as the new Deputy Postmaster General (DPMG), effective immediately. Deputy Postmaster General is the second-highest position in the Postal Service. Prior to assuming this position, Tulino had over four decades of USPS experience, most recently in the role of Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer,… Read: Douglas Tulino Appointed to Deputy Postmaster General »
Where’s My Document?
This is a guest article from Racami, a valued BCC Software partner. Print and mail producers have been answering questions about document status forever, and now the questions extend to include digital messages. It’s no longer acceptable to answer clients an hour or two later, after physically searching through the production facility. Common client questions include: “When… Read: Where’s My Document? »
Top 3 Considerations For a Successful MIS and Web-to-Print Search
This is a guest article from Print Reach, a valued BCC Software partner. Are you spending too much on an old workflow that really isn’t up to speed? Or are you looking in general as to how your business can profit from a new MIS or W2P system? Why not let us help take some… Read: Top 3 Considerations For a Successful MIS and Web-to-Print Search »
Preparing for Seamless Acceptance
This article appeared in the May 2021 edition of NPSOA Magazine. You may have heard about Seamless Acceptance and thought it only applied to large mailers. While that has been true to this point, with the May 1 deadline for mailers with an authorized Detached Mail Unit (DMU) and July 1 deadline for mailers who… Read: Preparing for Seamless Acceptance »
Mail Sorting Consolidation Planned to Boost Postal Efficiency
Eighteen mail sorting facilities across the country are scheduled to be consolidated by November 2021 in hopes of boosting efficiency. Postmaster General DeJoy believes closing the facilities is financially necessary for the USPS®’s 10-Year Plan in which the organization hopes to fiscally break even in 10 years. However, there are speculations that these closures will… Read: Mail Sorting Consolidation Planned to Boost Postal Efficiency »
Mail Manager Security Update
Effective 4/22/2021, Mail Manager customers who upgrade to version 03.11.40.02 will have updated encryption when transferring files to Track N Trace (TNT). What Changed?In a continued effort to make security is our highest priority, BCC has upgraded this file transfer method to ensure your mailings are highly secure while maintaining seamless integration between Mail Manager… Read: Mail Manager Security Update »
BCC Architect Canada
A Primer on the Board of Governors and Postmaster General
This article appeared in the April 2021 issue of NPSOA Magazine. The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service® serves in a similar capacity to a board of directors at a public organization. The Board meets regularly to direct the Postal Service, monitor the budget and expenditures, review organizational best-practices, construct long-term plans,… Read: A Primer on the Board of Governors and Postmaster General »
Dissecting the USPS’ ‘Delivering for America’ Plan
On March 23, 2021, the United States Post Office® held a press conference to introduce “Delivering for America,” their ten-year plan to modernize their network and achieve financial stability. They hope to transform their current, archaic processes and operate with a positive net income beginning as soon as FY2023. If achieved, this would reverse the… Read: Dissecting the USPS’ ‘Delivering for America’ Plan »
Automation of Postal is the Trend in 2021
This is a guest article from Crawford Technologies, a valued BCC Software partner. Postal Processing is one of the most expensive and error-prone parts of a production workflow. This year, 2021, it is when you need to spend time automating! Last year, 2020, was tough for many of us and our organizations. Manual steps and… Read: Automation of Postal is the Trend in 2021 »
Episode 44 – Industry Corner Podcast
Episode 43 – Industry Corner Podcast
Industry Alert: Waiver of January 2021 Mailer Scorecard Assessments
In an Industry Alert posted on February 11, 2021, the USPS announced the following: Waiver of January 2021 Mailer Scorecard Assessments As a result of the extraordinary circumstances experienced during the 2020 peak mailing period, our partners in the mailing industry have seen negative impacts to their Mailer Scorecards which may have caused assessments. Therefore,… Read: Industry Alert: Waiver of January 2021 Mailer Scorecard Assessments »
Track N Trace: The Solution for Mailing Uncertainty
This article appeared in the March 2021 issue of NPSOA Magazine. Millions of Americans requested mail-in ballots for the 2020 presidential and senate elections- a record-breaking number prompted by the COVID-19 health crisis. With the unprecedented requests came a great deal of unknown. There was uncertainty about the integrity of mail-in voting and the Post… Read: Track N Trace: The Solution for Mailing Uncertainty »
Getting Control of Your Postal Process
This is a guest article from Racami, a valued BCC Software partner. Not so long ago, producing a mailing meant printing addresses on labels, applying the labels, and taking the pieces to the Post Office. That was about it. Today, the requirements are far more stringent from a postal standpoint and for achieving measurable results.… Read: Getting Control of Your Postal Process »
How to Identify Good Candidates for Your W2P Storefront
This is a guest article from Print Reach, a valued BCC Software partner. What are the benefits of a W2P System? I’m sure you’ve all read an article or 10. Maybe you’ve made your own list of how it can save your staff time. If you have that list, put it in a drawer, that… Read: How to Identify Good Candidates for Your W2P Storefront »
Episode 42 – Industry Corner Podcast
A Look at USPS® Promotions for 2021
The USPS® is again offering six different opportunities for marketers, printers, and mailers to receive discounts on postage by utilizing their promotions in 2021. The available promotions include Tactile, Sensory, and Interactive Mailpiece Engagement; Emerging and Advanced Technology; Earned Value; Personalized Color Transpromo; Mobile Shopping; and Informed Delivery. These promotions are expected to increase the… Read: A Look at USPS® Promotions for 2021 »
Creating a Blueprint for Success: Challenges and Opportunities for the Print and Mail Industry in 2021
This is a guest article from Solimar Systems, a valued BCC Software partner. The Print Industry is rapidly changing. Economic pressures, new working requirements, and changes in print buyer demands are reshaping the space in which print providers operate. Here, Drew Sprague, President, Mary Ann Rowan, Chief Experience Officer, and Jonathan Malone-McGrew, Senior Director of Engagement… Read: Creating a Blueprint for Success: Challenges and Opportunities for the Print and Mail Industry in 2021 »
Update on Seamless Acceptance Incentive
Seamless Acceptance supports electronic documentation (eDoc) and Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMbs) on mailpieces, containers, and handling units. This means that commercial bulk mail no longer needs to be verified in-person by a mail clerk. Instead, the IMbs ensure the proper postage is present and that the mail is allowable in the mailstream. When it is confirmed… Read: Update on Seamless Acceptance Incentive »
Mail Volume vs. Address Quality
This article appeared in the February 2021 issue of NPSOA Magazine. The decrease in mail volume during the COVID-19 pandemic proved just how vital address quality is to customers. Having a complete, correct, and current addresses ensures each mailpiece sent out is able to be delivered as prepared. CASS™ Certified software is a good start… Read: Mail Volume vs. Address Quality »
USPS® Informed Addressing: What Do We Know?
Many customers have noticed – and asked about – the Informed Addressing feature that was included in the mail.dat specifications for 21-1. Here is what we know regarding Informed Addressing: At this time, the USPS has “paused” the Informed Addressing program; however, they did not update the mail.dat specification to remove the feature. We will… Read: USPS® Informed Addressing: What Do We Know? »
Our Commitment to Accessibility
BCC Software is committed to making our website’s content accessible and user friendly to everyone. If you are having difficulty viewing or navigating the content on this website, or notice any content, feature, or functionality that you believe is not fully accessible to people with disabilities, please call our Customer Service team at (800) 624-5234… Read: Our Commitment to Accessibility »
Why Now More Than Ever, This is the Time for a W2P Solution
This is a guest article from Print Reach, a valued BCC Software partner. Working From Home One of the biggest changes the world has seen in 2020 is the ability to work from home. This has opened the door to contactless delivery systems, at-home company meetings, and many more. Activities we usually do in person or… Read: Why Now More Than Ever, This is the Time for a W2P Solution »
Set Better Goals in 2021
This article appeared in the December 2020 issue of NPSOA Magazine. Think about the direct mail campaigns you have run in the past twelve months. Chances are, some of them outperformed expectations, but can you quantify what made them successful? (Or, if we’re honest, what made other campaigns miss the mark?) As a printer, you… Read: Set Better Goals in 2021 »
BlueCrest Acquires BCC Software
(Danbury, CT) — BlueCrest, an industry-leading global technology provider and supplier of a comprehensive line of enterprise software, printers, inserters, sorters, and parcel solutions, is today announcing the acquisition of BCC Software, a leader in postal and presort software solutions in North America for over 40 years. BCC Software will become BCC Software, a BlueCrest… Read: BlueCrest Acquires BCC Software »
Episode 41 – Industry Corner Podcast
PRC Approves Rate Case for 2021
As 2020 comes to a close, many customers are preparing for the USPS® rate changes to go into effect on January 24, 2021. As a reminder, anything sent prior to the rate case going into effect on January 24 will maintain the old rates, while anything that is sent on or after that date will… Read: PRC Approves Rate Case for 2021 »
Temporary Price Change Ending
The temporary price changes that were put into place in mid-October will be ending on December 27, 2020. The temporary price changes were established as a response to increased package volume due to the COVID-19 crisis and increased online holiday shopping. BCC Software will be releasing software updates across each of our platforms to reflect… Read: Temporary Price Change Ending »
USPS® Announces Upcoming Promotions for 2021
The proposed USPS® Promotions for 2021 have been approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission. The promotions are meant to encourage customers to use new techniques for printing to enhance traditional mailpieces. By offering promotions, the USPS hopes to increase the value of direct mail and ensure long-term product growth. In a change from previous years,… Read: USPS® Announces Upcoming Promotions for 2021 »
Additional Information on Upcoming Seamless Acceptance Incentive
The USPS® offered further insight into the proposed incentive around Seamless Acceptance that was discussed last month. In addition to being approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), there was clarifying information given on who qualifies for the $0.001 discount incentive. The discount will be usable on every eligible letter and flat of First-Class, Marketing… Read: Additional Information on Upcoming Seamless Acceptance Incentive »
The Unmistakable ROI of Leveraging Personalized Mail and Automation
By Drew Sprague, President, Solimar Systems You’re reading this article because you know how valuable personalized mail is. Although mail volumes have been declining for some time, the inherent value of personalized correspondence remains an essential element of communication between businesses and their consumers. Today, we still find many mailers feel locked into traditional, and… Read: The Unmistakable ROI of Leveraging Personalized Mail and Automation »
Seamless Acceptance Incentive Proposed for Mail Service Providers
Large volume Mailers who are already processing Full-Service mailings, are likely familiar with the Postal Service®’s Seamless Acceptance program. But the USPS® has been working to expand the scope of the program to include more than large volume mailers – and has announced a proposed pricing incentive designed to encourage all Mail Service Providers to… Read: Seamless Acceptance Incentive Proposed for Mail Service Providers »
The Time is Now to Re-Evaluate Your Software Options
This article appeared in the November 2020 issue of NPSOA Magazine. Our industry continues to operate in a state of constant evolution, and the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. Paired with a tumultuous and intense election cycle, there has never been a more important time to re-evaluate your business operations and make sure your mailing… Read: The Time is Now to Re-Evaluate Your Software Options »
Episode 40 – Industry Corner Podcast
Postal Industry Updates: October 2020
Temporary Price Adjustment to Take Effect on October 18, 2020 After approval from the Postal Regulatory Commission, the temporary price adjustment that had been proposed to run through December 27, 2020 will go live on October 18. Support for the adjustment went live on PostalOne!® on October 4th. BCC Software is dedicated to ensuring our… Read: Postal Industry Updates: October 2020 »
BCC Software Introduces New Track N Trace® Visualization Tools
For the unaware, Track N Trace from BCC Software enables users to gain visibility into the mailstream by leveraging USPS® Informed Visibility® technology, providing unmatched mailpiece intelligence and reporting. BCC Software has been improving the reporting aspect of the Track N Trace platform, recently introducing robust visualization tools to help mailers better understand where mailings… Read: BCC Software Introduces New Track N Trace® Visualization Tools »
Beyond Compliance – The Fight Against UAA Mail
This article appeared in the October 2020 issue of NPSOA Magazine. A multi-billion piece problem year after year, Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA) mail costs the USPS® over $1 billion annually – and it costs the mailing industry even more. However, the monetary cost is not the only issue at stake when it comes to UAA… Read: Beyond Compliance – The Fight Against UAA Mail »
Judge Rules on Election Mail as First-Class®
A federal judge recently ruled that the USPS® must treat all Election mail, regardless of class, as First-Class® Mail. This decision has upset many marketing mailers, as this means that regardless of the price paid to mail the piece, it will be treated the same. Several mailers state that if someone specifically wants this service… Read: Judge Rules on Election Mail as First-Class® »
An Update on USPS® Performance Measurements
The USPS recently released information regarding 2020 performance measurements during September’s PCC week. Overall, PMG DeJoy maintained that service performance is stabilizing, and numbers are beginning to recover from the pandemic. He did recognize, however, that some of the changes he implemented to the supply chain when he was first appointed did influence numbers –… Read: An Update on USPS® Performance Measurements »
Senators Gillibrand and Sanders Propose New Bill
In mid-September, Sens. Kristen Gillibrand (NY) and Bernie Sanders (VT) reintroduced legislation aimed at amending Title 39, Section 404(a). Known as the “Postal Banking Act”, this bill would allow the USPS® to provide “certain basic financial services” in post offices including “low-cost, small-dollar loans not to exceed $500 at a time…” and “small checking accounts… Read: Senators Gillibrand and Sanders Propose New Bill »
Political Direct Mail Wins Elections – if it Arrives in Time!
This is a guest article from Direct Logistics, a valued BCC Software partner. When you need to get political marketing mail in-home fast, anywhere in the nation, NDC / SCF drop-shipping and TruckDirectMail.com (TDM) is your best option. Despite the unpredictability of America’s political landscape, some things never change: Direct mail remains the most credible… Read: Political Direct Mail Wins Elections – if it Arrives in Time! »