Overview Workflow Modules IMB Support IMB Information
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT INTELLIGENT MAIL® BARCODES (IMB)

RubikaThe United States Postal Service has specified the Intelligent Mail barcode as the successor standard to the current PostNet barcode for postal automation. In the near future, mailers will be required to use the Intelligent Mail barcode to qualify for maximum automation discounts.

The Intelligent Mail barcode will enable mailers to uniquely identify up to one billion mailpieces per mailing. In turn, mailers can participate in the USPS OneCode Confirm service that provides delivery tracking of mailpieces. To view an introductory video on IMB, the USPS has developed a quick IMB overview - Click Here for the USPS - IMB Overview Video.

Whether you run a fleet of cutsheet or continuous feed printers, Solimar's suite of solutions will help you implement IMB quickly, accurately and cost-effectively. In fact, our thoughtful, visual user interfaces set us apart and have made us a preferred vendor to the largest transactional mailers in the country.

We're happy to demonstrate our capabilities for you. You can speak to one of our experienced professionals by calling 619.849.2800.

IMB FORMAT AND STRUCTURE  
The Intelligent Mail barcode consists of up to 31 digits (a 20-digit Tracking Code and an optional Routing Code of up to 11 digits). The Routing Code is the Delivery Point ZIP Code. It is required to receive an automation discount.

The 20-digit Tracking Code consists of:

  • a 2-digit Barcode ID
  • a 3-digit Service Type ID
  • a 6-digit Mailer ID and a 9-digit mailpiece serial number, or a 9-digit Mailer ID and a 6-digit mailpiece serial number
    • The Mailer ID is a number assigned to a mailer by the USPS.
      A mailer can have more than one Mailer ID.
    • The serial number is a mailpiece identifier assigned by the mailer.

You can find detailed technical information about the Intelligent Mail barcode, including explanations of the Barcode and Service Type IDs, in the "Intelligent Mail Barcode Technical Resource Guide" available, along with other documents, at http://ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution

STEPS TO IMPLEMENTING IMB  
The Intelligent Mail barcode can be printed either as part of the address block or as part of the envelope's barcode 'clear zone' designated by the USPS.

Some mailers will be able to implement IMB by making small modifications to applications that generate their print data.

Other mailers who do not have access or control of the electronic print data, will rely on inserting and sorting equipment to scan address information from each mailpiece and to print the IMB onto the envelope of the mailpiece (probably using inkjet technology).

Another set of mailers who have access to electronic print data will find it easiest to index addresses and produce the updated IMB using middle-ware software applications, including Solimar's Rubika.

The USPS provides both an encoder and a font for mailers to download and use in applications that generate IMB; however, since the barcode string is encoded from the source digits, there is not a one-to-one match between a single digit and the bars in the barcode (as there is in Postnet). As a result, many mailers will find it easiest to use middle-ware software to implement IMB even if they have access to source code that currently produces Postnet.

SOLIMAR SOLUTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING IMB  
Solimar has a long, successful history of delivering connectivity, conversion and datastream manipulation solutions to the transactional printing market.

As a result, Solimar is uniquely capable of helping clients implement IMB across the widest range of printing environments, including:

  • AFPDS
  • IPDS
  • PostScript
  • PDF
  • PCL
  • Xerox DJDE/Metacode
  • Xerox VIPP

Intelligent Mail barcode (IMB) SolimarShorts™  
Name Description Length
Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) - Part 1
Introducing IMB to Current Applications		 Provides a brief overview of the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) and how solutions from Solimar Systems enable companies to migrate current applications to IMB. 13:26
Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) - Part 2
Mail Workflow Efficiencies Beyond IMB		 Highlights additional options beyond IMB for gaining mail related efficiencies all without having to modify current composition and host system processes. 05:00

 
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