igaea conference 2007 - rit mailing software – what’s needed for effective mailing and...

IGAEA Conference 2007 - RITIGAEA Conference 2007 - RIT

Mailing Software – What’s Needed for Effective

Mailing and Verification?

Mailing Software Needs AnalysisMailing Software Needs Analysis(“Is this really for me?”)(“Is this really for me?”)

Outsourcing cost• Using an external vendor

Internal cost estimate• Adding software / hardware• New employees• Required knowledge / Learning curve

Volume

Control

Benefits of Mailing Benefits of Mailing SoftwareSoftware(Time is money. And money is money.)(Time is money. And money is money.)

Reduce postage costsImprove address qualitySave time and labor in productionUse personnel more effectivelyAutomate repeated tasksHave more controlSimple economics

Evaluating Mailing SoftwareEvaluating Mailing Software((What questions to ask? - Basic Software Requirements)What questions to ask? - Basic Software Requirements)

Is it CASS / PAVE certified?

Standard list management tools?

Does it meet my presort requirements?

Can it support my file types?

Will it communicate with my current hardware?

Is it Reliable? Versatile? Flexible?

Ease of Use/Learning CurveEase of Use/Learning Curve(What help can I get? Is it accessible?)(What help can I get? Is it accessible?)

Easy-to-understand documentation

“Easy to Learn” vs. “Easy to Use”

Customer Support• Toll Free• On-line• Extended Hours• Knowledgeable and responsive

Availability of training classes

Online training

ReputationReputation(They said WHAT about us?)(They said WHAT about us?)

Get recommendations from areadealers and customers

Research Industry trade journals, online newsgroups

Use local or national resources• Mailing & Fulfillment Service Association (MFSA)• Local Postal Customer Council (PCC)

Visit vendors at tradeshows• National Postal Forum• Mailcom• Graph Expo

InnovationInnovation((Making a good thing better.)Making a good thing better.)

First to market with new features & technologies

Continuous improvement of product• From customer feedback• Through industry involvement• Due to new USPS technologies

Additional Products / ServicesAdditional Products / Services(Can I get more from my software vendor?)(Can I get more from my software vendor?)

Move Update Services

Drop Shipping Services

Mail Piece tracking

Hardware to compliment software

Mailing Supplies

PricePrice(a.k.a. “The Bottom Line.”)(a.k.a. “The Bottom Line.”)

Base price / Renewal price

Advanced options

Upgrade costs

Technical support fees

Maximizing its PotentialMaximizing its Potential(If the tools are available to use, use them!)(If the tools are available to use, use them!)

Training• Classroom workshops• Online tutorials

Documentation• User manual• Technical guides

Online user forum

Customer support

Q Q && A A(Let us know: How Can We Help?)(Let us know: How Can We Help?)

Mark Higgins Vice President of Marketing & Data ServicesBCC Software Inc

A BÖWE BELL + HOWELL Company 800-337-0372MarkH@bccsoftware.com