1. ALBANY DISTRICT BUSINESS MAIL ENRTY
Intelligent Mail Barcodes for Small Business Customers
IMsB

2. ALBANY DISTRICT BUSINESS MAIL ENRTY
OVERVIEW
Intelligent Mail® for Small Business Mailers (IMsb) is a FREE- of- Charge online tool which will allow you to produce the presorted Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMb) for your mail pieces, tray labels and submit an electronic postage statement to the acceptance units.
Maximum mailing size is fewer than 10,000 pieces for mailings submitted at a BMEU!
Maximum number of mail pieces per year of fewer than 250,000!

3. ALBANY DISTRICT BUSINESS MAIL ENRTY
Start Simple
To use the IMsb, no special software or installation is required. Users simply access the application via a Web Browser.
The IMsb Tool has been specifically developed for small business mailers to meet Full-Service requirements.
The IMsb tool generates the unique Intelligent Mail barcodes within the address block.
The IMsb tool is currently designed for First-Class and Standard Mail permit holders. The IMsb tool will generate the address blocks on the following formats:
Multiple labels
Multiple envelopes
8 ½ x 11 inch letter size paper
Mail Merge option - allows you to personalize your letters.

4. ALBANY DISTRICT BUSINESS MAIL ENRTY
Getting Started
Before using the IMsb tool, you need to make sure you have the following prerequisites completed:
Mailing Permit – Mailer must have a postage permit
Be registered on Business Customer Gateway!
An Address list in one of the following formats.
Database formats allowed:
In order to upload an address list to the IMsb, the file must be in one of the following formats:
Microsoft® Excel 2010
Microsoft® Excel 2007
Microsoft® Excel 2003
Comma Separated Value (CSV)

5. ALBANY DISTRICT BUSINESS MAIL ENRTY
Open a permit at your local Business Mail Entry Unit.
Complete form PS 3615 and bring it to your local BMEU
One time only application fee: $220.00
Annual permit fee: $220.00
You will be assigned a “Permit Number”
Ask for the CRID number

6. ALBANY DISTRICT BUSINESS MAIL ENRTY
Open a account at Business Customer Gateway.

7. ALBANY DISTRICT BUSINESS MAIL ENRTY

8. ALBANY DISTRICT BUSINESS MAIL ENRTY

9. ALBANY DISTRICT BUSINESS MAIL ENRTY

13. Link permits to the BCG account.
One time process- LINK PERMIT * Only the business service administrator of the account can link the permit.
Link permits to the BCG account.
Go to “Manage Permits” under “Mailing Services”.  
Customers will select their Business Name by clicking the link in the ‘Name’ column.
They will be taken to the
following page
Customers must link their permit for the tool to work.
The customer must go to Manage permits under mailing service.
The customer business name will be displayed as a “blue hyperlink” under the name column. After clicking on hyperlink, the customer will be taken to the business location page to enter the required information located under the third tab titled “PERMIT VALIDATION”.

14. Linking Permit-cont.
Scroll to the bottom and select the ‘Permit Validation’ tab. Enter the Permit Number, Permit Type, Post Office of Mailing ZIP code (5 digit) and enter the Amount of one of the last 10 transactions on this account. Example: for a fee payment of $200.00, enter or the exact amount they paid.
Customers will enter their permit information and click ‘Validate’. Once linked, the permit information will be available to them within the IMsb application.
If the permit does not link- call the help desk(800) option 3.
or your local IMsb Ambassador. Ask them to LINK THE PERMIT.
The help desk and ambassadors know how to do this.
Look for the tab that is identified as Permit validate, which is the third tab.
Enter the permit number and type.
Enter the BMEU ZIP code, not the customers ZIP.
Enter the amount of one of the last 10 transactions.
Note: If linking a new Precanceled or Metered customers account, it will be possible not to have a transaction. When this occurs, contact the PostalOne! help desk or your local Ambassador and ask them to link the permit.
A list of Ambassador is located on the BMA page. The IMsb folder will be displayed under Intelligent Mail link.

15. Access the IMsb Tool
No special software or installation is required to use the IMsb tool.
Access the application via a Web Browser
Log in through the IMsb link on the Business Customer Gateway® at gateway.usps.com.
The IMsb link is located on the mailing services page.
In order to access the IMsb tool, mailers must log into their Business Customer Gateway (BCG) account and click on the “Intelligent Mail for Small Business Tool (IMsb)” link in the Mailing Services section.
As a reminder, customers must have already linked their permit in Postal Wizard via BCG or do so now.

16. Click to continue
Now that we have linked the customers permit, the customer is ready to use the IMsb tool.
Authorization complete-click to continue.
If a “authorization failed” pops up, it means the permit has not been linked to the account.
Customer must Accept the notice of license to proceed.

17. Step 2- Verify information and continue.
IMsb Job Creation
Step 1- Create a new job.
Step 2- Verify information and continue.
Customer starts by creating a new job.
The mailer information will be prepopulated. If the customer has multiple MID’s, CRIDS or permits, they have the option to select through the drop down buttons.

18. Step 3-Service type ID (STID)
Customer selects:
Class of mail
IM Service type
Extra service type
How do they currently receive their address corrections?
IM tracing
Service type
Ancillary Service Endorsement.
Now the customer fills out information pertinent to the mailing.
Class of Mail options- First class or Standard Mail
IM Service type defaults to Full
Extra Service type- How does the customer currently receive their address corrects back (if any). Electronically or Manually (hard copy)
IM Tracing- defaults to Destination
STID- changes automatically with each selection
Ancillary Service Endorsement- Customer must identify which endorsement is currently printed on the mailpiece. (if applicable)

19. Step 4-Tell us about the mailpiece
Processing Category
Size of mailpiece
Thickness of 50 pieces stacked. (very important to measure accurately-used to determine the number of trays or sacks required)
Single piece weight in ounces.
Date they plan on bringing in the mail.
Approx.. # of total pieces
Processing Category- letters-postcards or flats ( no packages)
Size of mailpiece
Thickness of 50 pieces stacked. (customer must stack 50 pieces and insert measurement). This is used to define how many pieces will fit in a tray.
Single piece weight in ounces.
Date they plan on bringing in the mail. (Customers have up to 30 days to bring in the mailing once submitted to PostalOne!. Encourage customer to make the mailing date within 7 days of when plan on bringing to the post office.)
Approx. # of total pieces, exact number will be confirmed later in process.

20. Step 5- Additional Mailing options and return address
Destination Entry Discounts- DSCF or None
Move Update source:
How has customer met the move update requirement for the last 90 days?
Rate type- Regular or Non Profit.
It this a political mailing?
Mailing contains windowed envelopes or windowed flats?
Return address- optional use
Destination Entry: Customer MUST indicate if they are entering their mailing at a SCF location.
Other Move Update source: Customer MUST indicate how they are meeting move update on this mailing.
Rate type- Regular or Non Profit.
Political Mailing- Customer must indicate if this is a political mailing.
Election mail will be added in the future.
The customer must check the box if the mailing contains windowed envelopes windowed flats.
The return address form is optional. It is used when a customer wants to print directly on the mailpiece.

21. Step 6-Review and Confirm Job Selection.
After the screen is reviewed the user will click on “Accept” and a pop up box window appears.
The user would click “OK” to continue or “Cancel” to make changes.
Click Accept and then OK in the pop up box to proceed.

22. Step 7- Upload address and view.
Customer uploads Address list/file
The Address File Viewer lets you review your file to ensure it’s the correct file.
Now the customer must upload their address list.
It can be in an Comma Separated Value (CSV) or in an Excel file.
Once the file is upload a the Address File Viewer appears.
Customer can determined if the list/file is correct and or formatted correct.
The following slide are going to describe in detail about the formatting the address list/file.

23. Customer Address Excel File
Customers maintain address data base for mailings.
This data base may have to be formatted to be used in the IMsb tool.
The file must be in one of the following file formats:
Microsoft Excel 2010
Microsoft Excel 2007
Microsoft Excel 2003
Comma Separated Value (CSV)
The address list or file is probably one of the most important items in the tool. If the database (address list/file) is not formatted correctly, the tool will not proceed and error messages will appear.
Customers can submit their address list/database in the following formats:
Microsoft Excel 2010
Microsoft Excel 2007
Microsoft Excel 2003
Comma Separated Value (CSV)

24. Customer Address List/File Format
Excel Address file
Columns
This is an example of a Address Data Base in an excel format.
The file must contain a header Row. All that means is the top row of the file must include very specific column headings as described in the user guide.
If the headers or columns are not exact, the customer will receive an error and not be able to process their mailing.
The header can have the following optional columns:
Name
First Name
Last Name
Company
(Secondary) sec-address
Urbanization
REQUIRED FIELDS
Address
City/State and ZIP
Please refer to the user guide for additional column headings. If a customer has multiple tabs within their file, the tool will try to use the first tab.
Once the list/file is formatted correctly, the customer will upload the file in the IMsb tool.
Header Row: Row 1 is always the Header row

25. Step 7- Upload address and view.
Customer uploads Address list/file
The Address File Viewer lets you review your file to ensure it’s the correct file.
Now the address list has to be uploaded.
Once the file is upload a the Address File Viewer appears.
Customer can determined if the list/file is correct and or formatted correct.

26. The location is prepopulated by permit finance number.
Step 8- Method of Entry
The Method of Entry is prepopulated by using the finance number where the permit is held, but allows customer to select other sites for the Mail Anywhere program. Customers must be authorized to participate in the “Mail Anywhere” program before selecting additional locations.
Additional information regarding the “Mail Anywhere” program can be found on the BMA page and RIBBS page.
The location is prepopulated by permit finance number.
The field allows customers to select other locations in anticipation of pay and mail any where.

27. Results: Step 9- Address Correction Complete-click to continue
Processed- total address in list.
Exact Match- no correction was made to the address by the USPS
Matched with changes- A correction was made to the address to make it correct.
Matched to a building default- means its missing the apartment or suite #.
Unmatched- Bad address according to USPS files.
* Unmatched pieces will be removed from the mailing.
Once the customer has clicked on Address Correction complete. Click to continue. This does not mean that the customer has submitted the job yet. It means the results of the address correction have been returned for review.
The addresses are defined into four separate categories:
Processed- total addresses in list.
Exact Match- no correction was made to the address by the USPS
Matched with changes- a correction was made to the address to make it correct.
Matched to a building default- means its missing the apartment or suite #. Reviewing is optional. USPS suggestion: leave in AMS format
Unmatched- Bad address according to USPS Address Management Systems (AMS) files. Not mailable as part of this FS mailing

28. Allows duplicates to be removed within a file.
Duplication removal
Allows duplicates to be removed within a file.
Allows customers to remove duplicates from their mailing list.
Address, First Name and Last Name
Address and Last Name
Address Only
Company and Address
If you wish to remove all the identified duplicates at once, click the delete all button. (This will delete only duplicates leaving the original on the list)

29. Step 10-Unique Intelligent Mail Tray labels
11.
12.
IMsb will provide a recommended number and type of Containers (Trays or Sacks) to be used to prepare this mailing. This may be edited.
Create Label-The IMsb tool will populate the Starting Container Label Serial Number for the Job.
Click “New Label” for the IMsb tool to generate your Unique Intelligent Mail Tray Barcode (IMtb) Label.
A PDF will be generated to print the tray label.
Note: The tray labels must be generated using card stock or a standard business card stock which is perforated at 2 x 3.5” such as an AVERY label 5371.
IMPORTANT - Save PDF and Print only after postage statement submission

30. Step 10- continued - Tray labels
14.
The customer has the option to customize the label if they so desire by adding information to the Printer Line and Mailer area before creating label.
Best practice: Save the files and print after submission of job!
We don’t want the system to time out!

31. Three label sizes available for letters
Step – 11 Downloads-generation of the addresses with the inclusion of the intelligent mail barcode for labels/envelope/inserts.
Three label sizes available for letters
One label size for flats
Save corrected address lists or lists for mail merge option.
The customer will need to select how they want the addresses. They can print directly on the piece or on an insert or labels.
Once the customer their output method(what they want to print on). The will click on the download button beside the generate labels.
Three labels sizes are available:
Avery 5161 or equivalent to 1” x 4” label. (Postcards/Letters only)
Avery 5162 or equivalent to 1.33” x 4” label. (Postcards/Letters only)
Avery 5163 or equivalent to 2” x 4” label. (Postcards/Letters & Flats)
Envelopes sizes available: an update to the IMsb tool is planned which will allow optional sizing.
#6 3/4 #7
#10
Other- no envelope used
Insert option: allows you to print directly on an 8.5 x 11 insert. The address block is configurable.
Imsb standard font must be downloaded to use mail merge option. Instructions can be found in the user guide. Which is located on the RIBBS page and BMA page.

32. Example of labels generated by tool.
All Full-Service labels are unique, numbered and associated to the postage statement they are currently working on. If the customer has to start over for any reason, the system will assign new numbers to the tray and address labels. If customer printed them out, they would will be useless if the statement was not submitted before the system timed out.
This is an example of the 1 x 4 size mailpiece labels created and generated as a PDF for the customer. The tray number that this piece belongs is notated next to the barcode along with the date the file was cleansed. The date is not the date they have to mail by.
VERY IMPORTANT - Save PDF and Print only after postage statement submission, otherwise system times out and customer has to start over

33. Step 12-Postal Wizard Submission
This screen is designed to show the customer which pieces belong in which tray.
The customer must click on “Continue” link to have the job be submitted to Postal Wizard so that they can review their job before submitting.
Clicking on Continue starts the electronic submission of the postage statement and qualification report.

34. Step 13-Planned postage statement - review and submit
Customer should review the “PLANNED” postage statement. The customer MUST scroll down to click the submit button. If they forget to submit the job they can pick this job up from Postal Wizard under incomplete jobs

35. Mailer brings Mailing to Acceptance Unit
Print confirmation page
The mailer is now able to bring the mailing to an acceptance unit.
If the customer forgot to submit or selected save and exit, they can pick up the job in Postal Wizard under “SAVED FORMS” view incomplete forms I have started.
The mailer will print their confirmation notice and bring the notice and the mailing to the acceptance unit.
The location, address and hours of acceptance is also provided on the confirmation sheet.

36. Lets review how to create and submit a job electronically
Create a new job
Verify account information
Mailpiece Information
Additional mailing information
Review job and confirm
Browse and upload address list
Address correction complete
Create unique tray labels – print after postage statement submission
Generate address block barcodes
Submit postage statement
Print tray labels and address labels with barcodes
Customer will now bring in the mailing within 30 days of their selected mailing date.
Lets review how to create and submit a job electronically:
Create a new job
Verify account information
Mailpiece Information
Additional mailing information
Review job and confirm
Browse and upload address list
Address correction complete
Create unique tray labels
Generate and print address block barcodes
Submit postage statement
Customer will now bring in the mailing within 30 days of their selected mailing date.

37. Mailing Appears on Dashboard--UPD
Once a mailer has submitted a postage statement, it will appear on the dashboard as UPD.
Customer can cancel job from their Dashboard if BMEU has not touched the job.
A customers dashboard mirrors USPS dashboard
Once a mailer has submitted a postage statement, it will appear on the dashboard as UPD.

38. Verification and Acceptance
Complete acceptance and verification of the mailing
Once the mailing is accepted, the mailing will appear on the dashboard as FIN (finalized).
The mailer will present their mailing and their electronic confirmation notice. The mailing will be processed and accepted after the clerk has verified the mailing.

39. Mailing Made Easy for Small Business
Overview: The Intelligent Mail® for Small Business Tool
Benefits to the Customer
Benefits to the USPS
Using the IMsb Tool
Resources
Here’s where you can access resources for the tool.

40. Resources- Business Customer Gateway ®
Contact your local BMEU manager for additional information.
Customers can access the current IMsb user guide located on the left hand side in the blue bar on every screen throughout the tool.
The guide can also be located on RIBBS. At Intelligent Mail Services/Guides & Specs/Intelligent Mail for Small Business Mailers User Guide (PDF).
Customers can contact their local BMEU manager for additional information.
There is also a IMsb Tool user guide that can be found on the every screen in the Imsb tool.
The guide is also posted on the RIBBS website. The guide can be found at Intelligent Mail Services - Guides & Specs and in the middle of the page under Important Links “Mail for Small Business Mailers User Guide”.

41. CONGRATULATIONS! Your postage statement is complete

42. IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE CONTACT: Joan Trombley OR Beth O’Brien THANK YOU FOR USING THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE