The Mailing Systems division of Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT, this week launched ForwardTrak Net, an online version of its ForwardTrak software, which helps companies correct incorrect addresses.
ForwardTrak was developed in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service's move update requirement, which the USPS instituted in 1997. This requirement encourages mailers sending presorted or automation rate First-Class mail to update their mail within six months of the mail date by using the USPS’ address correction and quality programs — such as FastForward, Address Change Service and the National Change of Address service. If mailers use these services, they receive presort and automation discounts.
Approximately 44 million USPS customers file permanent changes of address each year, and mail lists that are not up-to-date can result in significant amounts of returned or undeliverable mail — a big cost to business mailers.
ForwardTrak, which is an option to PB’s SmartMailer addressing software, sends a mailer's list over the Internet to a client/server connected to the USPS FastForward system. Then, in conjunction with SmartMailer addressing software, the list is updated with the current move as well as with deliverability information. According to PB, this solution makes it easier and quicker to correct addresses than the traditional way.
According to PB, the system also helps companies save on costs and labor, because database correction is done before the mailing, so there is no need to re-mail. The postal service benefits as well, and reduced labor requirements for the USPS can contribute to rate stability.
