The U.S. Postal Service has begun the national deployment of its Facility Access and Shipment Tracking system, replacing the Drop Shipment Appointment System.
Mailers use DSAS to schedule drop-ship appointments at USPS facilities. FAST simplifies scheduling and lets customers provide detailed information about their appointments, the postal service has said.
The phased deployment began with the New York metro area July 11, and all areas will be phased in over the next four months. The postal service's Northeast Area begins scheduling appointments in FAST on July 25.
The USPS is encouraging mailers to use the new system by offering preferred status to mailers meeting FAST requirements, which include offering data about their mailings as well as appointment request information. The postal service plans to use the data to improve dock processes and personnel scheduling.
DSAS users register for FAST through PostalOne, a software system for business mailers that links a customer's mailing information electronically with USPS acceptance, verification and payment systems. Mailers log on to PostalOne at www.usps.com/postalone and follow instructions to create a new account. For mailers who have a PostalOne account, FAST registration begins with a call to the PostalOne Customer Care Center at 800/522-9085.
Once a postal facility begins accepting drop-shipment appointments in FAST, it no longer will accept new appointments in DSAS. Mailers should click FAST/Surface Visibility at http://ribbs.usps.gov to obtain the complete FAST deployment schedule.
Melissa Campanelli covers postal news, CRM and database marketing for DM News and DMNews.com. To keep up with the latest developments in these areas, subscribe to our daily and weekly e-mail newsletters by visiting www.dmnews.com/newsletters
