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Australia Post has just completed the largest overhaul to the mail system in its history. These changes have major repercussions for businesses that mail to large customer databases. As of the 1st July, 2002, all bulk mail is required to be barcoded by the sender, in order to receive the Bulk Mail Discount, in addition to the address. The barcode is a machine-readable representation of the address.For businesses that use bulk mail regularly, the appending of barcodes to their
databases can be a time consuming and potentially costly ongoing exercise.This is where we can help you.With over twenty years experience in both the mailing and the data manipulation industries, we are perfectly positioned to help your business not only bring its databases up to Australia Post’s barcoding standards, but also to transform them into a potent marketing tool, that will help you retain and enhance your current client bases – and to capture whole new markets.We’ve put together an overview that will inform you of the changes to Australia Post’s system – and what can be done to actually save you money.
DPID – A Starting Point1. What is DPID?
In order to improve efficiency in its service to bulk mailing businesses, Australia Post has introduced a new system of postal discounts that revolve around the barcoding of all addresses in Australia.
To do this Australia Post has developed the Postal Address File (PAF) which is a national reference file containing more than 9.4 million (and growing) delivery addresses – each one with a unique eight digit Delivery Point Identifier (DPID).
In order for your business to claim discounts under the new bulk postage scheme, at least 90% of all bulk mailings must be barcoded with their unique DPID’s.
2. How Will This Effect Your Business?
Firstly, it means that all “mailed-to” client databases need to be modified to suit the Australia Post address criteria, and then updated with DPID’s in order to claim postal discounts when mailing.
Secondly, it means that all externally rented mailing lists will need to have DPID’s appended – and the barcodes in both cases must be printed on the label/letter/envelope in conjunction with the address.
However it will also mean: –
- Postage savings ranging from 4 to 8%, depending on mail lodgement profile – and with a new minimum of 300 barcoded letters.
- Less ‘dead mail’ (return-to-sender) due to more accurate address data.
- Less production and postage wastage due to more efficient de-duplication and the ability to carry out effective household analysis.
- Intelligent campaign monitoring and automated fulfilment opportunities via barcode scanning on reply mail.
- More effective database management opportunities through more effective record linking and matching using the DPID.
3. How We Can Help You.
By offering a comprehensive barcoding service that doesn’t end with just appending DPID’s.
To help you take full advantage of this new system we have developed levels of service that will encompass all of the benefits made available by DPID.
ALB is able to: –
- Tidy up your existing client database to DPID standards – including verification of current data deliverability, modification where necessary and possible, a new level of accurate de-duplication, and keying-in new records in appropriate formats
- Appending DPID codes to mass files from the PAF (Postal Address File – over 9.4 million Australia-wide and growing), where possible and noting the reasons and problems where not possible.
- Processing of pre-printed envelopes, self adhesive labels or personalised letters for window faced envelopes, using latest barcoding equipment.
- Stuffing and sorting for correct Australia Post lodgement procedure to ensure that our clients will receive the MAXIMUM possible postaldiscount – we have knowledge and expertise in this area.
- For Consumer Data, the ability to enhance your records with phone numbers, additional residents at address, and geodemographic lifestyle indicators, to enable true data mixing of clients and prospects – the result – your ability to target additional prospects that best match your current clients.
- For Business Data, we can not only add phone and fax numbers, but Industry categories, employee numbers (in many cases), ACN, RBN’s, Key Executives – even a profit and credit profile. And with the introduction of the GST, new essential Australian Business Numbers.
Your Solution
The new system is now compulsory, in order to achieveany postal discount. Not only letters but also pre-sort trays will need identification.
What can you do In-house? What will it cost – in time, money and retraining, plus ongoing appending?
The Answer is simple.
Just call us on 07 5527 0444 from 7am to 9pm so a brief review can be conducted on your database. |
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