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Intelligent Mail Barcode

Know what “it’s in the mail” really means with the Intelligent Mail barcode from the U.S. Postal Service

You’ve said it before, “it’s in the mail” or “it went out Tuesday” but did you know precisely when your mailing would arrive at its destination? Now you can with the Intelligent Mail barcode (IMB) and Confirm service which is available at an additional cost. This new barcode system from the Postal Service delivers:

  • Greater overall data capacity
  • Unique identification of up to a billion mail pieces per mailing
  • Accurate and detailed tracking information about your mailings
  • More space on mail piece by eliminating the need for multiple barcodes
  • Greater visibility into the mail stream

“We immediately saw the advantages of using this system,” comments Brian Schwall, Mail Specialist, BFC. “With the ability to track mailings, our customers can greatly improve efficiencies, saving both time and money.” With IMB, customers are able to track the exact progress of each individual mailing online up to the point of reaching its final destination.

IMB in Action: The new barcode system is especially advantageous for customers with large mailings. For example, if you’re a national retailer promoting a special sale this Friday, you will want your direct mail campaign to be received on Wednesday. If recipients receive the piece too early, they’ll dismiss it. If it arrives after Friday, your company loses potential sales. Because you’ve tracked previous mailings, you know that it takes five mail days to reach your target in Seattle and only two to get to Atlanta. Now you have the data needed to schedule your campaign to reach everyone at the exact same time. And your special sale? A success!

Improving Telemarketing and Sales Calls
With the ability to pinpoint delivery dates your sales team will know exactly when to follow up with a call.

Coordinating Marketing Campaigns
By reaching your target at the right time you can achieve a higher ROI. No returned mail and no missed opportunities.

Securing Postage Discount
You will still qualify for automation prices as long as all other automation requirements are met.

BFC testing: For the past few months BFC has been testing every aspect of the IMB system—from mailing to different locations and using varied barcode data, to evaluating accuracy and ease of online tracking, to follow up with the post office. After a few more test runs, BFC will be live and ready to provide the IMB option to all of its customers.

The Postal Service will require use of the Intelligent Mail barcode to qualify for automation prices beginning May 2011.