Secap News

The Intelligent Mail Barcode is Here

After a few promised start dates, the Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb™) is finally set to become the required barcode standard for the United States Postal Service® (USPS). So what does this mean for businesses that rely heavily on postal mail?

The biggest potential impact is on mailing costs: businesses that adopt the IMb are eligible for automation discounts that in some cases can be as high as 50%. And for companies already receiving automation discounts, the clock is ticking on compliance. Companies must switch to the IMb before January 28, 2013, in order to keep receiving automation discounts.

Why the Intelligent Mail Barcode is Important

Knowing exactly what the IMb means from a business standpoint is a critical first step in successfully making the transition.

Cost Savings

For many, cost savings will be the main reason to make the move. The IMb makes you eligible to receive automation discounts of 10-50% depending on the type of mail you send. This can add up to huge savings for high-volume mailers.

If your organization is not currently using barcodes, the IMb presents an opportunity to realize new savings on your mailing costs. If you are already using the current POSTNET™ barcode, switching to the IMb is mandatory in order to keep receiving automation discounts. As of January 28, 2013, companies that have not switched to the IMb will no longer receive automation discounts.

Mail Tracking

In addition to the automation discounts, the IMb also offers new levels of visibility into mailing operations. From basic status checks on mail pieces to full mailing audits, the IMb allows you to see exactly where a mail piece is at any given moment, from the time it enters the mail stream to the time it leaves the last post office on the way to its destination.

This level of tracking offers many benefits. Knowing how long it takes for customers to receive your mail enables you to provide better customer service, predict the timing of payments, and avoid collection calls. It also assists with performance reviews of mail consolidators and logistics providers, allowing you to see their average processing times.

Which Mail is Affected?

After the deadline, the IMb will be mandatory in order to receive automation discounts on letters, flats, postcards, business reply mail and permit reply mail.

Specifically, the IMb will be required for discounts in the following USPS mail classes and categories:

First-Class Mail® letters and flats
Standard Mail® letters and flats
Periodicals letters and flats
Bound Printed Matter flats
Business and Permit Reply Mail

These are classes and categories that are widely used by many organizations.

How to Switch to the Intelligent Mail Barcode

A lot of mailers have been pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to switch to the IMb. The first step is to make sure that your mailing software can create the data required to print barcodes using the IMb specification. (For example, Secap provides IMb-compatible software tool: Bulk Mailer)

With compatible software in place, getting started with the IMb is a fairly straightforward process. Here are the four basic steps:

Obtain a Mailer ID from the USPS. This unique number identifies your company and will be embedded in each IMb for tracking purposes.
Log in to the USPS Business Customer Gateway and select the IMb services you want to activate. Only those services you activate will be available for your IMb mailings.
Set up your IMb-compatible mailing software. Usually this is as easy as entering your mailer ID into the system.
Design your IMb mailing as you would any other mail piece, then print and send your mail.

There are a few considerations to take into account as you prepare to make the switch. First, if you do not already have IMb-compatible software you will need to acquire it. Before setting up your software you must also decide which of the USPS business services to activate with your IMb account. With many overlapping choices available, it can be confusing to know which ones are right for your organization. In these cases, it is helpful to consult with a mailing expert who is familiar with the IMb standard. Finally, the USPS also recommends consulting with a mail piece design analyst to ensure that your new mailings are compliant with the IMb specification (although this usually isn’t an issue with IMb-compatible software.)

Intelligent Mail Barcode: Worth the Switch

For most organizations, switching to the IMb is a necessity since it will be the only way to receive automation discounts. However, with discounts of 10-50% at stake, the minor effort required to switch is well worth it. And the benefits of the IMb do not stop with the discounts. The IMb brings mail tracking to a new level, giving you unprecedented insights into the efficiency and timing of your mail operations.

Fortunately, switching to the IMb is within easy reach of every organization, large and small.

Why wait to enjoy the benefits?

2011 National Postal Forum

We will be exhibiting at:

2011 National Postal Forum
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, CA
May 2 - 4, 2011

Stop by Secap's Booth #1013 to see our Digital Mailing System – Connect+™ 2000, Color Digital Printer, SI4400 Folder Inserter and SA5300PRO Addressing System in action to learn more about how our mailing solutions can maximize your productivity! Business owners can also talk to our representatives about distribution opportunities with Secap.

Download a Free One-Day Exhibit Hall Pass ($25 Value) by clicking here. We hope to see you at the National Postal Forum!

ITEX Expo 2011

We will be exhibiting at:

ITEX National Expo & Conference
Walter E. Washington Conference Center
Washington, DC
March 22 - 23, 2011

Stop by Secap's Booth #19 to see our Digital Mailing System, Color Digital Printer and folder inserter in action to learn more about how our mailing solutions can maximize your productivity! Business owners can talk to our representatives about distribution opportunities with Secap.

Secap's Vice President of US Dealer Operations, Marc Mermel will be presenting on Wednesday, March 23, 2010 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Topic: Add New Revenue Streams with Mailing Systems. Be sure to see this valuable presentation!

SL600 Color Digital Printer

New Secap® SL600 Color Digital Printer For High-Quality On Demand Full Printing

West Conshohocken, PA (November 13, 2009) – Secap today announced the introduction of the Secap® SL600 Color Digital Printer, a cost-effective solution for printing high-quality, full-color documents and envelopes on-demand. Ideal for organizations that require frequent print jobs of varying volumes, the Secap SL600 color printer is equipped with high definition color laser technology with 1200 dpi and can print up to 36 color pages per minute or 60 envelopes (#10) per minute with sharp detail and rich color depth.

The Secap SL600 color printer can help organizations create and better manage the production of their promotional materials and mailings quickly and at an affordable cost. Organizations can print a wide variety of materials with professional print quality including newsletters, letterhead, posters, promotional pieces, business cards, flyers, postcards, and window and non-window envelopes all on the same system. Customers can also create personalized documents and mailing pieces with eye-catching envelopes to help organizations increase the openability of their communications.

The SL600 color printer’s high capacity media feeder holds up to 1,000 envelopes or up to 5,000 sheets of paper to help maximize productivity and drive operator efficiency. The printer can accommodate envelopes up to 13” x 17” and tabloid sheets up to 12” x 18.” SL600 color printer users can adjust the fusing temperature, which helps ensure that envelope flaps and window envelopes print properly through the system with clean, crisp images. Customers can also use mailing software to help leverage the best possible USPS® postal rates to quickly create customized, low-cost mailings right at the desktop.

The SL600 color printer comes with iQueue™ printer management software as a standard feature. The software allows precise control over color settings, the ability to save and recall frequently run jobs for faster set-up, and access to a library of pre-defined settings to optimize image quality. These features are designed to help organizations obtain the best results on a wide range of commonly-used materials and image types.
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About Secap
Secap is a leading supplier of mailstream management solutions, offering its extensive product line through a nationwide network of authorized local dealers. For over thirty-five years, Secap has provided businesses with innovative mailing solutions including desktop inkjet addressing printers, production and integrated addressing systems, folders and inserters, mailing software, tabbing and labeling affixing machines. For more information, please call Secap at 1.800.523.0320 or visit www.secap.com.

PRINT 09

We will be exhibiting at:

PRINT 09
McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
September 11 - 16, 2009

Stop by Booth #8327 to see our production addressing system, dual production tabber, and folder inserter in action and learn more about how our mailing solutions can maximize your productivity!

Get a FREE PRINT 09 Exhibit Only Pass by going to the Attendee Registration website and enter the customer priority code E8351 in the space for "Registration Code". Click here.

Aaron Buch - New Western Dealer Sales Manager

West Conshohocken, PA (February 2009) – Secap is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Buch to the position of Dealer Sales Manager. Mr. Buch will be responsible for managing Secap’s western sales territory, and will report to Marc Mermel, Regional Vice President – Western Region.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Aaron for several years now,” said Mr. Mermel, “It’s rare to find someone like Aaron with the skill, enthusiasm, and energy level to get the job done no matter what the challenge. Our dealers in the area of his responsibility are truly fortunate to have Aaron as a resource and business partner.”

“The Secap line of folding/inserting and addressing products has distinct, proven advantages over competitive offerings,” said Mr. Buch. “As a Secap Dealer Sales Manager I am excited to earn the trust and respect of my dealers, while helping them maximize their potential profit generation through the Secap line.”

Mr. Buch has extensive experience in the mailing industry and prior to being appointed Dealer Sales Manager, he sold the complete line of Secap mailing products for Express Business Systems in Redmond, WA with great success as their Addressing Specialist. In addition, Mr. Buch has several years experience in the printing industry, which has helped him excel in selling mailing technologies. Mr. Buch is also active within the industry, as a member of the Seattle Direct Marketing Association and the Northwest chapter of the MFSA.

Mr. Buch has aggressive plans for improving Secap’s relationship with its dealer in the West. “I plan on taking a very hands-on role with my dealers in helping out wherever I can,” said Mr. Buch, “Which will include assisting in sales calls, demonstrations and proposals, sharing in new & creative ways to beat the competition and providing an overall level of customer service that exceeds expectations.”

Aaron graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a bachelor degree. He will be based out of Secap’s Redmond, WA office.

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About Secap
Secap is a leading supplier of mailstream management solutions, offering its extensive product line through a nationwide network of authorized local dealers. For over thirty-five years, Secap has provided businesses with innovative mailing solutions including desktop inkjet addressing printers, production and integrated addressing systems, folders and inserters, mailing software, tabbing and labeling affixing machines. For more information, please call Secap at 1.800.523.0320 or visit www.secap.com.

George Cecil - New Southern Dealer Sales Manager

West Conshohocken, PA (November 2008) – Secap has announced the appointment of George Cecil to the position of Dealer Sales Manager. Mr. Cecil will be responsible for managing Secap’s southern sales territory, and will report to Mr. Ernie Hedrick, Vice President of Sales.

“We are very excited to have George join the Secap team,” said Ernie Hedrick. “His extensive knowledge within the mailing industry and his strong sales skills will be a great asset to the territory.”

Mr. Cecil brings over 20 years of mailing industry sales and management experience to Secap. Prior to Secap, Mr. Cecil was a Senior Area Sales Representative for Pitney Bowes, where he was responsible for selling office and software solutions within the Dallas area. He is very knowledgeable in the dealer channel, having previously worked as a District Sales Manager for a mailing equipment dealership in Orlando, Florida where he managed their sales team. In addition, George also served on the Executive Board of the Orlando Postal Customer Council (PCC).

“I am looking forward to this opportunity to build Secap’s relationships with their dealers in the South,” said Mr. Cecil, “Secap’s extensive product line of mailing solutions offers dealers significant potential to grow their business and I am eager to start supporting their sales efforts to maximize their opportunities in the mailing industry.”

George graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelors of Science degree. He will be based in the Arlington, Texas area.

SA5300 PRO Press Release

New Secap SA5300 PRO Addressing Printer & Imager Takes Mail Productivity to New Levels

West Conshohocken, PA (October 2008) – Secap is pleased to introduce the SA5300 PRO inkjet addressing & imaging system, the latest addition to its addressing printers’ product line. The Secap SA5300 PRO, with speeds of up to 30,000 pieces per hour, provides high quality printing with graphics and spot color capability up to 3” of print. Offering eight print quality options from draft light to executive, the SA5300 PRO has four light mode options to reduce ink usage and provide faster drying times.

The Secap® SA5300 PRO is integrated with a high capacity feeder, using patented friction technology for reliable media separation. At 24” high with a simple two-knob adjustment, the vertical hopper will easily accommodate a wide range of media types up to ½” in thickness and is perfect for high production runs. The included riser stand provides precise placement of media entering the printer.

Utilizing superior HP Inkjet technology, the SA5300 PRO offers 600 dpi print quality from (2) 1 ½” print heads. Simple to set up and run, the SA5300 PRO provides professional results for in-house addressing and is perfect for commercial printers, lettershops, and companies with dedicated mailrooms or mail centers. Operators can monitor print status and control printer from their own computer, offering remote diagnostics and the ability to complete other projects while running a job. Changing the ink cartridges is a snap, as the print module flips up for easy access to the print heads.

“Professional mailers will be pleased with the new SA5300 PRO,” says Ernie Hedrick, Vice President of Sales for Secap, “With its user friendly features and high capacity feeder, this powerful addressing system is the perfect choice for high quality production speed printing from a compact footprint.”

The SA5300 PRO can easily be configured with the Secap T-2000 for fast and efficient in-line tabbing. Other optional components include the TCD 72 conveyor/dryer for extended drying time and optimum performance. To learn more, call Secap at 1.800.523.0320 or visit www.secap.com.