Mailing Industry Technology Processes Mail to USPS Standards
Access Mail processes over 125,000 letters on Multi-Line Optical Character Readers (MLOCR) daily. We have several that process letters, and are the only presort bureau in the area with a sorter for flats. This industry-specific equipment barcodes and sorts letters and flats at very high speeds. These machines compare the recipient address on each letter against the USPS database of almost every address in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
When the MLOCR detects a match for an address, it prints the Barcode for that address on the letter – at a rate of 10 addresses per second. When it detects a match for an address that has been changed through NCOA (National Change of Address), it barcodes and prints the new address on the letter, allowing the letter to continue being processed for delivery immediately.
This high-tech equipment is serviced daily by Access Mail technicians to assure consistent performance and accuracy. It is tested and approved annually by the USPS through a MASS-test procedure. Access Mail must also update its software to the USPS database bi-weekly to assure the most current addressing information available.
The MLOCR must match the address not just to a building, but must code for the actual suite/apartment within the building. A “readable” address must be accurate, with directionals (N, E, S, W), and the street number within USPS range. The machine will not guess and will not barcode a letter if the provided address is inaccurate.
The USPS is constantly expanding the list of addresses, including converting many rural addresses into street addresses as part of a 911-emergency program. So virtually all US addresses will one day be in this database, including new construction as it is completed.
Access Mail remains committed to running the most technologically-advanced OCRs produced for our clients. We continually scrutinize the changing technology as well as upgrade in advance of USPS changes in required standards.