MERLIN® Testing Is on the Way — Will Your Addresses Make the Grade?
It looks as if 2009 is the year the U.S. Postal Service® (USPS®) is going to implement many of its planned updates.
Intelligent Mail® Barcode
Of particular interest is the USPS' use of the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB), in combination with its Postal Automation Redirection System (PARS) mail forwarding system and the upcoming Seamless Acceptance program. This combination of programs will be used to monitor mailer's compliance with Move Update and other addressing standards.
MERLIN to Measure Move Update and DPV™
The USPS recently announced that it will shortly begin testing the use of MERLIN to measure Move Update and DPV compliance.
This announcement means that the USPS may be able to monitor mailer's compliance much sooner than 2009. Mailers should consult with USPS Publication 363 to determine if they are in compliance with the Move Update standards which are due to be expanded to Standard Mail® in late 2008.
To ensure DPV compliance, mailers should currently be running CASS™ software certified for Cycle L.