Friday, May 27, 2005
USPS TEAMS WITH SBA
USPS TEAMS WITH SBA. The Postal Service and Small Business Administration joined forces recently to give advice to Los Angeles-area business owners. About 500 people attended the event organized by the USPS Pacific Area’s multicultural marketing group. Workshops showed how to develop an advertising campaign on a tight budget and use Direct Mail effectively, increasing response rates and sales. The conference was the first for the agencies, and was so well received that it won’t be the last.
Carrier pickup passes the 1 millionth package mark
HIGHS IN THE 60s. The mercury is rising for Carrier Pickup Online Notification. Four times this month — May 2, 3, 10 and 17 — the number of packages picked up as a result of online requests surpassed 60,000. Carrier pickup passed the 1 million package mark by May 23 — the earliest ever for any month. Customers use Carrier Pickup Online Notification and Click-N-Ship to make shipping from their home or office . . . a breeze
Thursday, May 26, 2005
USPS: Change of address hits the phone lines
Change-of- address hits the phone lines
Moving can be a headache, but USPS is offering relief by expanding options for filing changes of address to ensure prompt, uninterrupted mail delivery.
Specifically, customers now can change their addresses by telephone. Like the online option at usps.com, the new method is more reliable than the hard-copy option because it helps reduce the number of illegible and incomplete forms filled out at Post Offices.
More than 45 million Americans move each year. More than 7 million have changed their addresses online, and 80% of people in a recent survey said they would use that method in the future.
The telephone option may prove as popular since it’s also easy. Customers simply call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) and begin an interactive voice response process. There is always the option to speak with a customer service agent. Customers must have a valid credit card for identity verification and security and a nominal fee is charged.
As always, USPS employs a rigorous process to validate and confirm the address changes, and to protect customers’ privacy and security.
Moving can be a headache, but USPS is offering relief by expanding options for filing changes of address to ensure prompt, uninterrupted mail delivery.
Specifically, customers now can change their addresses by telephone. Like the online option at usps.com, the new method is more reliable than the hard-copy option because it helps reduce the number of illegible and incomplete forms filled out at Post Offices.
More than 45 million Americans move each year. More than 7 million have changed their addresses online, and 80% of people in a recent survey said they would use that method in the future.
The telephone option may prove as popular since it’s also easy. Customers simply call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) and begin an interactive voice response process. There is always the option to speak with a customer service agent. Customers must have a valid credit card for identity verification and security and a nominal fee is charged.
As always, USPS employs a rigorous process to validate and confirm the address changes, and to protect customers’ privacy and security.
USPS: DON’T HOLD THE ONIONS
DON’T HOLD THE ONIONS
No crying over this Priority Mail sale
When Dixondale Farms in Carrizo Springs, TX, needed to ship its prize-winning onions and other produce to customers quickly and safely, they turned to the Postal Service’s Priority Mail.
Dixondale already was sold on the convenience of Flat Rate Priority Mail Boxes and the visibility of co-branded packaging. But the company needed ventilated packages to keep produce fresh. “With perishable products it’s essential that my customers get their packages within three days,” said Dixondale Farms President Bruce Frasier.
Southwest Area Account Manager Esmeralda Escobar relayed the customer’s requirements to Sales and Package Services’ Expedited Products — which then produced a customized box to the grower’s specifications.
“Flat Rate Priority Mail Boxes have allowed us to get more packages to our customers in a professional, timely manner,” Frasier said. “USPS provides a simple, professional product.”
Dixondale has switched from a competitor’s ground service to Priority Mail — shipping up to 6 pounds of produce at one flat rate — and earning USPS $100,000 in new revenue.
No crying over this Priority Mail sale
When Dixondale Farms in Carrizo Springs, TX, needed to ship its prize-winning onions and other produce to customers quickly and safely, they turned to the Postal Service’s Priority Mail.
Dixondale already was sold on the convenience of Flat Rate Priority Mail Boxes and the visibility of co-branded packaging. But the company needed ventilated packages to keep produce fresh. “With perishable products it’s essential that my customers get their packages within three days,” said Dixondale Farms President Bruce Frasier.
Southwest Area Account Manager Esmeralda Escobar relayed the customer’s requirements to Sales and Package Services’ Expedited Products — which then produced a customized box to the grower’s specifications.
“Flat Rate Priority Mail Boxes have allowed us to get more packages to our customers in a professional, timely manner,” Frasier said. “USPS provides a simple, professional product.”
Dixondale has switched from a competitor’s ground service to Priority Mail — shipping up to 6 pounds of produce at one flat rate — and earning USPS $100,000 in new revenue.
Monday, May 23, 2005
New UPS Software Simplifies Trade by Tackling Compliance Obstacles
ATLANTA, May 23, 2005 - UPS Trade Management Services, Inc., a unit of UPS Supply Chain Solutions, (NYSE: UPS), today simplified international trade management by unveiling a new software suite called UPS TradeSense™. The software helps U.S. exporters and importers manage customs clearance and security regulations associated with global trade.
The benefits to companies using this software can include increased compliance, lower operating costs and reduced exposure to penalties along with optimization of internal processes.
“The UPS TradeSense technology supports UPS’s mission to synchronize global commerce,” said Bill Ansley, vice president of UPS Trade Management Services. “Customers now can better coordinate their trade responsibilities to help minimize delays in moving goods across borders that may result from documentation errors or compliance issues.”
UPS TradeSense supports several important trends in the international trade sector, including the enhanced focus on trade compliance and the need to retain and organize trade related information in case of audits by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other government agencies.
UPS TradeSense is a neutral technology platform that can be integrated into virtually any IT infrastructure, allowing the maintenance of all trade-related data in a single location for easy management and connectivity to global supply chain partners. This fully integrated solution has screen level security protocols controlled by the user’s personal identification code. The software can be sold and supported separately or be used as part of a solution provided by UPS Trade Management Services.
The UPS TradeSense software was built with a modular design allowing companies to address specific global trade needs. These include:
The TradeSense Trade Data Repository is a tool for managing, storing and disseminating international trade-related information at the item or stock keeping unit (SKU) level. With its connectivity to CBP, it allows companies to maintain a high level of compliance.
TradeSense Import allows a company to automate and better manage import transactions in the pre-entry, entry and post-entry phases, ensuring that they are in compliance with U.S. regulations.
TradeSense Export provides exporters with tools to automate export compliance, thus streamlining export transactions from order to shipment.
TradeSense NAFTA helps companies determine whether their goods meet NAFTA qualifications and manage NAFTA solicitations.
TradeSense Drawback can streamline the process of claiming duty drawbacks and maximize the amounts available for recovery.
The new software expands the UPS Trade Management Services integrated portfolio offering. The wholly-owned subsidiary of UPS Supply Chain Solutions provides trade, tariff and compliance consulting services, technology solutions, educational seminars and managed services that assist companies in managing their daily import and export activities.
Earlier this year, UPS launched another technology simplifying international trade known as Quantum ViewSM Manage for importers, which provides U.S. importers with online tools that enable them to better manage their internal import compliance processes and expedite clearance of their cross-border small package shipments.
The benefits to companies using this software can include increased compliance, lower operating costs and reduced exposure to penalties along with optimization of internal processes.
“The UPS TradeSense technology supports UPS’s mission to synchronize global commerce,” said Bill Ansley, vice president of UPS Trade Management Services. “Customers now can better coordinate their trade responsibilities to help minimize delays in moving goods across borders that may result from documentation errors or compliance issues.”
UPS TradeSense supports several important trends in the international trade sector, including the enhanced focus on trade compliance and the need to retain and organize trade related information in case of audits by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other government agencies.
UPS TradeSense is a neutral technology platform that can be integrated into virtually any IT infrastructure, allowing the maintenance of all trade-related data in a single location for easy management and connectivity to global supply chain partners. This fully integrated solution has screen level security protocols controlled by the user’s personal identification code. The software can be sold and supported separately or be used as part of a solution provided by UPS Trade Management Services.
The UPS TradeSense software was built with a modular design allowing companies to address specific global trade needs. These include:
The TradeSense Trade Data Repository is a tool for managing, storing and disseminating international trade-related information at the item or stock keeping unit (SKU) level. With its connectivity to CBP, it allows companies to maintain a high level of compliance.
TradeSense Import allows a company to automate and better manage import transactions in the pre-entry, entry and post-entry phases, ensuring that they are in compliance with U.S. regulations.
TradeSense Export provides exporters with tools to automate export compliance, thus streamlining export transactions from order to shipment.
TradeSense NAFTA helps companies determine whether their goods meet NAFTA qualifications and manage NAFTA solicitations.
TradeSense Drawback can streamline the process of claiming duty drawbacks and maximize the amounts available for recovery.
The new software expands the UPS Trade Management Services integrated portfolio offering. The wholly-owned subsidiary of UPS Supply Chain Solutions provides trade, tariff and compliance consulting services, technology solutions, educational seminars and managed services that assist companies in managing their daily import and export activities.
Earlier this year, UPS launched another technology simplifying international trade known as Quantum ViewSM Manage for importers, which provides U.S. importers with online tools that enable them to better manage their internal import compliance processes and expedite clearance of their cross-border small package shipments.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL Closed Memorial Day 2005
USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL will all be Closed Monday, May 30, 2005, Memorial Day. No Pick Ups or Deliveries will be made on Monday, May 30, 2005 . Mark your calender!
Next Shipping Holiday will be Independence Day, Monday July 4, 2005.
*UPS offers SonicAir® which is available 365 days each year.
Next Shipping Holiday will be Independence Day, Monday July 4, 2005.
*UPS offers SonicAir® which is available 365 days each year.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Automated Postal Centers a hit in Central Florida
The hardest working APC in show business
Automated Postal Centers a hit in Central Florida
Central Florida customers love it and use it — $10 million proves it.
In just one year, the 67 Automated Postal Centers (APCs) in Central Florida District sold $10 million worth of service and convenience. And they show no signs of slowing down.
APCs in Central Florida District have passed the $10 million mark.
The district also has the distinction of having one of the single hardest-working APCs in the nation as well as the top APC revenue site.
Go to Jupiter — the city, not the planet — and you’ll see the APC that district retail staff call, “the green god.” Peak monthly sales are $44,000 and average sales $26,000 — and that includes a slow start-up after installation.
Go to Alafaya Branch (south of Orlando) and you’ll see a duo of hard-working APCs. Peak monthly sales there are $92,000 with average sales around $49,000.
“I’m proud of our people. They put the bar very, very high," said Central Florida District Manager Pete Captain. "Let’s see if anyone can catch us.”
Nationwide, APC revenue topped $200 million last week
Automated Postal Centers a hit in Central Florida
Central Florida customers love it and use it — $10 million proves it.
In just one year, the 67 Automated Postal Centers (APCs) in Central Florida District sold $10 million worth of service and convenience. And they show no signs of slowing down.
APCs in Central Florida District have passed the $10 million mark.
The district also has the distinction of having one of the single hardest-working APCs in the nation as well as the top APC revenue site.
Go to Jupiter — the city, not the planet — and you’ll see the APC that district retail staff call, “the green god.” Peak monthly sales are $44,000 and average sales $26,000 — and that includes a slow start-up after installation.
Go to Alafaya Branch (south of Orlando) and you’ll see a duo of hard-working APCs. Peak monthly sales there are $92,000 with average sales around $49,000.
“I’m proud of our people. They put the bar very, very high," said Central Florida District Manager Pete Captain. "Let’s see if anyone can catch us.”
Nationwide, APC revenue topped $200 million last week
USPS: Parcel Return Services hits $30 million revenue mark
A return on returns
Parcel Return Services hits $30 million revenue mark
It’s been a good run for Parcel Return Service (PRS). With more than 10 million packages handled since its October 2003 launch, PRS has generated more than $30 million in gross revenue.
“Parcel Return Service is a partnership with our consolidators,” said Newport Beach, CA, Postmaster Dennis McKeown. “The service is simple and has the potential to bring in a lot of new revenue for the Postal Service.”
The current expansion of the Return Delivery Unit (RDU) model will help USPS be even more competitive in the returns market. The RDU option lets PRS agents pick up returns at the local post office — saving time and money for the Postal Service and the customer.
Santa Ana District Operations Support Specialist Cathy Cox led her district’s efforts to begin offering the new RDU option. “This is the kind of innovation that our customers appreciate and will keep us in business for a long time to come,” Cox said.
“The retail associates and carriers identify the PRS parcels before I dispatch. This makes it so much easier for me to do my job,” said Newport Beach Distribution Clerk Roberto Garcia. “Scanning ‘Available for Pickup’ only takes a few minutes and the consolidators pick up the packages from us the next day. This is a great service. We just started and already we get about 30 packages a day!”
Parcel Return Services hits $30 million revenue mark
It’s been a good run for Parcel Return Service (PRS). With more than 10 million packages handled since its October 2003 launch, PRS has generated more than $30 million in gross revenue.
“Parcel Return Service is a partnership with our consolidators,” said Newport Beach, CA, Postmaster Dennis McKeown. “The service is simple and has the potential to bring in a lot of new revenue for the Postal Service.”
The current expansion of the Return Delivery Unit (RDU) model will help USPS be even more competitive in the returns market. The RDU option lets PRS agents pick up returns at the local post office — saving time and money for the Postal Service and the customer.
Santa Ana District Operations Support Specialist Cathy Cox led her district’s efforts to begin offering the new RDU option. “This is the kind of innovation that our customers appreciate and will keep us in business for a long time to come,” Cox said.
“The retail associates and carriers identify the PRS parcels before I dispatch. This makes it so much easier for me to do my job,” said Newport Beach Distribution Clerk Roberto Garcia. “Scanning ‘Available for Pickup’ only takes a few minutes and the consolidators pick up the packages from us the next day. This is a great service. We just started and already we get about 30 packages a day!”
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
UPS Drivers Receiving New Wireless Computers
ATLANTA, UPS (NYSE:UPS) May 9, 2005 announced the rollout of a new generation driver computer that can "talk" with four different wireless communication systems to speed tracking information to customers.
It's also smaller and lighter than its predecessor, works in color, is easier to use and has an expanded memory that will support some new, more customized services in the near future. Moreover, it's a critical part of a broader technology shift that is allowing UPS to dramatically reduce its fuel consumption while improving route planning, vehicle loading and package delivery.
Download photo
"There's really nothing like it," said Dave Barnes, UPS's chief information officer. "This is a key component of a bigger system that we call Package Flow Technology. Our drivers are going to have all the information in their handheld computers to make even more reliable deliveries while driving fewer miles."
The new computer – known as the fourth-generation Delivery Information Acquisition Device or DIAD IV – will be deployed rapidly now that it has undergone more than a year of extensive field testing. Co-developed with Symbol Technologies, UPS expects to deploy 32,000 in the United States and 8,000 internationally by the end of this year. The company plans to have more than 70,000 in use worldwide by the end of 2007.
UPS was the first in its industry to equip drivers with a handheld computer, starting in 1991. Through each successive generation of the DIAD, UPS has accelerated the availability of customer tracking data as well as its ability to communicate with drivers. The latest version continues improvement in those and other areas such as:
Links to the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system, which will improve customer service. GPS will give a dispatch center the ability to locate the most convenient driver to respond to an On-Call Pickup, for example. Eventually, the GPS link also will help drivers searching for an unfamiliar address and sound an alert if they're in the wrong driveway for a particular delivery.
The ability to connect real-time with four different wireless networks, including personal (Bluetooth); local (Wi-Fi), and wide area (GPRS or CDMA). The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities allow the DIAD to access printers and other devices within a UPS facility or with a customer's PC. CDMA is a wide-area wireless network standard used by UPS in the U.S. GPRS is another wide-area network standard used by UPS in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
A color screen that accommodates color-coding of messages to drivers.
Memory of 128 megabytes or 20 times that of DIAD III. UPS will use this expanded memory in the near future to provide new, more customized services to its customers.
"We always talk about this computer in terms of technical improvements, but we never lose sight of what it really means: a new tool for our drivers to offer reliable, one-to-one customer service by putting up-to-date information about each customer's delivery at the driver's fingertips," said Barnes.
"Over the past decade, the DIAD has been the critical customer-facing, front-end device of an integrated global network that's now tracking some 14.1 million deliveries every day. DIAD IV significantly expands the visibility surrounding those packages, and that's going to enable us to offer some nifty new services in the future."
It's also smaller and lighter than its predecessor, works in color, is easier to use and has an expanded memory that will support some new, more customized services in the near future. Moreover, it's a critical part of a broader technology shift that is allowing UPS to dramatically reduce its fuel consumption while improving route planning, vehicle loading and package delivery.
Download photo
"There's really nothing like it," said Dave Barnes, UPS's chief information officer. "This is a key component of a bigger system that we call Package Flow Technology. Our drivers are going to have all the information in their handheld computers to make even more reliable deliveries while driving fewer miles."
The new computer – known as the fourth-generation Delivery Information Acquisition Device or DIAD IV – will be deployed rapidly now that it has undergone more than a year of extensive field testing. Co-developed with Symbol Technologies, UPS expects to deploy 32,000 in the United States and 8,000 internationally by the end of this year. The company plans to have more than 70,000 in use worldwide by the end of 2007.
UPS was the first in its industry to equip drivers with a handheld computer, starting in 1991. Through each successive generation of the DIAD, UPS has accelerated the availability of customer tracking data as well as its ability to communicate with drivers. The latest version continues improvement in those and other areas such as:
Links to the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system, which will improve customer service. GPS will give a dispatch center the ability to locate the most convenient driver to respond to an On-Call Pickup, for example. Eventually, the GPS link also will help drivers searching for an unfamiliar address and sound an alert if they're in the wrong driveway for a particular delivery.
The ability to connect real-time with four different wireless networks, including personal (Bluetooth); local (Wi-Fi), and wide area (GPRS or CDMA). The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities allow the DIAD to access printers and other devices within a UPS facility or with a customer's PC. CDMA is a wide-area wireless network standard used by UPS in the U.S. GPRS is another wide-area network standard used by UPS in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
A color screen that accommodates color-coding of messages to drivers.
Memory of 128 megabytes or 20 times that of DIAD III. UPS will use this expanded memory in the near future to provide new, more customized services to its customers.
"We always talk about this computer in terms of technical improvements, but we never lose sight of what it really means: a new tool for our drivers to offer reliable, one-to-one customer service by putting up-to-date information about each customer's delivery at the driver's fingertips," said Barnes.
"Over the past decade, the DIAD has been the critical customer-facing, front-end device of an integrated global network that's now tracking some 14.1 million deliveries every day. DIAD IV significantly expands the visibility surrounding those packages, and that's going to enable us to offer some nifty new services in the future."
9 millionth package collected as a result of Carrier Pickup Online Notification.
MOVING THE NEEDLE TO 9 MILLION!
Maine customer loves Carrier Pickup Online Notification
Country Knitting of Maine owner Linda Williams “stuck to her knitting” and built a successful home business using the Postal Service. Williams sells yarn and knitting materials on eBay but found that shipping her merchandise was taking much-needed time away from her rapidly growing business.
Madison, ME, Rural Carrier Gary Knight had the answer. He suggested Williams use Carrier Pickup Online Notification to save time. She quickly escalated to three or four Priority Mail pickups a week, shipping as many as 40 boxes a day during busy times of the year.
Along the way, she also captured the honors for mailing the 9 millionth package collected as a result of Carrier Pickup Online Notification.
“I’m saving so much time,” said Williams. “Overall, it’s been a great experience.”
“This option provides us an opportunity to meet the needs of customers like Country Knitting of Maine," says Maine District Manager Elizabeth Johnson. “Carrier Pickup makes it easier for them to do business with us, and that’s key to the future of our organization.”
Maine customer loves Carrier Pickup Online Notification
Country Knitting of Maine owner Linda Williams “stuck to her knitting” and built a successful home business using the Postal Service. Williams sells yarn and knitting materials on eBay but found that shipping her merchandise was taking much-needed time away from her rapidly growing business.
Madison, ME, Rural Carrier Gary Knight had the answer. He suggested Williams use Carrier Pickup Online Notification to save time. She quickly escalated to three or four Priority Mail pickups a week, shipping as many as 40 boxes a day during busy times of the year.
Along the way, she also captured the honors for mailing the 9 millionth package collected as a result of Carrier Pickup Online Notification.
“I’m saving so much time,” said Williams. “Overall, it’s been a great experience.”
“This option provides us an opportunity to meet the needs of customers like Country Knitting of Maine," says Maine District Manager Elizabeth Johnson. “Carrier Pickup makes it easier for them to do business with us, and that’s key to the future of our organization.”
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