The intelligent mail barcode encodes more data than ever before. Five key components are encoded in the barcode. A two digit number identifies the sortation level. Three digits then identify the level of service. This communicates the mail class, basic or full-service, and any other services, such as ACS or OneCode confirm. The mailer ID is contained in the next six or nine digits and is assigned by the USPS to designate the specific mailer. A unique serial number can be assigned by the mailer to fill the following six or nine digitsfor tracking purposes and is part of the full-service uniqueness determination. This number can be reused every 45 days. The last 11 digits contain the same information that was previously found in the POSTNET™ barcode.

The first step in converting to the Intelligent Mail Barcode is to sit down and plot the future course of your mail needs. While the deadline for using Intelligent Mail Barcode is technically May 2011, because of the elaborate testing process, you’ll want to set a date for your own needs that corresponds with your resources, both financial and time.

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