igaea conference 2007 - rit mailing software – what’s needed for effective mailing and...
TRANSCRIPT
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 [email protected]