Aug. 8 2006 04:46 PM

No, its neither a hamburger nor a desktop computer, but the Postal Services own MAC may prove just as popular with mailers as these two cultural icons. The MAC (short for Manifest Analysis and Certification) program is designed to certify that developer-supplied manifesting software accurately calculates postage. Even better, the MAC process ensures that the piece and postage information is presented in the required format and that the software provides accurate computer-generated facsimile postage statements.

 

Prior to MAC, manifest software was inconsistent, and individual problems had to be settled at the local post office, says Tom Amonette the program manager of Business Mailer Support at the Postal Service headquarters. This would only solve the problem at one location, and the developer seldom made the fix in another location. We would have to have one-on-one fixes all over the country. There were many frustrated customers and Postal Service employees because of this. Now, the process is centralized, and problems that occur at one post office can be resolved with the developer on a national basis.

 

MAC Gold

While MAC certifies manifest software only, the MAC Gold process certifies both software and hardware. A mailer with the MAC Gold package may begin manifesting immediately without local approval. This differs greatly from the standard manifest mailing system approval process, which requires at least two levels of Postal Service approval. So why wouldnt every mailer choose MAC Gold? Amonette explains, MAC Gold is limited to only single-piece rate First-Class Mail, Priority Mail and Parcel Post, and the mailer may have more diverse mailing needs.

 

MAC Prices

Prices for MAC vary greatly (from under $500 to more than $5,000). Its natural to ask why the discrepancy and wonder how you should choose a vendor. There are many options a mailer could add to manifesting software that affects the cost of pro-gramming, which affects the cost of the software. A straight Priority Mail manifest would be relatively inexpensive. A presorted mailing using special services such as Delivery Confirmation would add to the complexity of the manifest.

 

When selecting manifest software, Amonette advises, Review the list of published MAC developers on the Web at ribbs.usps.gov/files/mac/csd. The list will tell you what types of manifests the developer supports (whether they do Priority Mail, all rates, just Parcel Post, special services, international, etc.). Then contact the developer, and explain what IT requirements you have. You may want an integrated system to do inventory and warehouse control, or you may just want a stand-alone system to pay postage. Do you need software flexibility to program for your own needs, or do you want a system that will choose between multiple carriers?

 

Currently, approximately 500 companies use MAC or MAC Gold products. These companies are assured that the software and hardware have been tested and will meet Postal Service standards for accurate postage payment and documentation. They are also assured that if problems arise, their vendors will have an immediate resource the Manifest Department at the National Customer Service Center to find a solution. For non-MAC certified users, the process of making the needed corrections could delay shipments and be time consuming.

 

Using a manifest mailing system greatly simplifies postage payment for mailers who mail often and mail non-identical pieces. Manifest mailing systems do require knowledge about how to set up and use these systems, and new manifest mailers can experience a large learning curve. Thats why its best to use MAC-certified products. The developers are knowledgeable, and an experienced technical Postal Service team supports them. As a customer, you wouldnt want anything less.

Company Name           Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Inc.

Sales Contact   John Grogan

Address           19 Forest Pkwy

                        Shelton, CT  06484-6140

Phone   (800) 237-9154 x2362           

Fax      (203) 925-5362

E-Mail  jgrogan@ahmail.com

Web Address   www.ascomhasler.com

Technical Contact         Bob Hildebrandt  (203) 925-2585

Product Name  Mail Center Manager (IMCM)  3.4

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   12/10/01

Cycle   C        

Price    Over $5,000

 

Company Name           Connectship, Inc.

Sales Contact   A. R. Tandy

Address           8282 S. Memorial Dr. #400

            Tulsa, OK  74133-4345

Phone   (918) 461-4460 x203 

Fax      (918) 461-4480

E-Mail  artandy@connectship.com       

Web Address   www.connectship.com

Technical Contact         Steve Johnson (918) 461-4460

Product Name  Progistics CS  6.1

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   5/31/02

Cycle   D        

Price    Custom

 

Company Name           Dydacomp, Inc

Sales Contact   Robert Coon

Address           11-D Commerce Way

            Totowa, NJ  07512

Phone   (800) 858-3666          

Fax      (973) 237-9039

E-Mail  rob@dydacomp.com

Web Address   www.mailordercentral.com

Technical Contact         Tony Kostovski  (800) 858-3666

Product Name  Mail Order Manager for Windows  4.30

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   6/07/02

Cycle   D        

Price    $500-$1,000

 

Company Name           Fascor Inc

Sales Contact   Mark Weiser

Address           1014 Vine Street Suite 1700

            Cincinnati, OH  45202-1179

Phone   (513) 421-1777 

Fax      (513) 421-1191

E-Mail  mweiser@fascor.com

Web Address   www.fascor.com

Technical Contact         Eric Willemstein  (513) 421-1777

Product Name  SC.E. Commerce TMC3.0

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   9/18/01

Cycle   C 

Price                 Over $5,000

 

Company Name           Francotyp-Postalia Inc

Sales Contact   Monte Moon

Address           140 N Mitchell Ct Suite 200

            Addison,IL       60101-5629

Phone   (800) 341-6052 x2845           

Fax      (630) 519-2437

E-Mail  mmoon@fp-usa.com

Web Address   www.fp-usa.com

Technical Contact         Zac Moody  (800) 341-6052

Product Name  Mail Center Manager (MCM TM) 3.4

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   12/10/01

Cycle   C

Price    $1,000 - $5,000

Company Name           Harvey Software, Inc

Sales Contact   Sales Department

Address           Po Box 60596

            Fort Myers, FL  33906-6596

Phone   (800) 231-0296

Fax      (800) 613-1041

E-Mail  usps@harveysoft.com

Web Address   www.harveysoft.com

Technical Contact         Guido Roth  (800) 231-0297

Product Name  Computerized Parcel System  8.0.0.A

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   9/21/01

Cycle   C

Price    Under $500

 

Company Name           Kewill Systems Inc

Sales Contact   Jennifer Kidd

Address           100 Nickerson Rd

            Marlborough, MA 01752

Phone   (508) 229-4400 

Fax      (508) 229-4404

E-Mail  jennifer.kidd@kewill.com

Web Address   kewill.com

Technical Contact         Michael Smith  (508) 787-1864

Product Name  Clippership Series 5.x

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   2/19/02

Cycle   C

Price    Custom

           

Company Name           Kewill Systems Inc

Sales Contact   Jennifer Kidd

Address           100 Nickerson Rd

            Marlborough, MA 01752

Phone   (508) 229-4400 

Fax      (508) 229-4404

E-Mail  jennifer.kidd@kewill.com

Web Address   kewill.com

Technical Contact         Michael Smith  (508) 787-1864

Product Name  APSS  4.2

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   3/1/02

Cycle   C

Price    Custom

 

Company Name           Kewill Systems Inc

Sales Contact   Jennifer Kidd

Address           100 Nickerson Rd

            Marlborough, MA  01752

Phone   (508) 229-4400 

Fax      (508) 229-4404

E-Mail  jennifer.kidd@kewill.com

Web Address   kewill.com

Technical Contact         Michael Smith  (508) 787-1864

Product Name  Kewill.Ship 1.9

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   3/1/02

Cycle   C

Price                Custom

 

Company Name           Manhattan Associates Inc

Sales Contact   Michelle Houde

Address           2300 Windy Ridge Pkwy 7th Floor

            Atlanta, GA        30339

Phone   (770) 955-7070

Fax      (770) 955-0302

E-Mail  info@manh.com

Web Address   www.manh.com

Technical Contact         Patty Cage  (765) 284-2097

Product Name  Logistics Pro  7.0.1

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   4/1/02

Cycle   C

Price                Over $5,000

Company Name           Mos International Inc

Sales Contact   Charles Harris

Address           3180 Redhill Ave

            Costa Mesa, CA 92626-3495

Phone   (714) 754-7841 x218 

Fax      (714) 754-7942

E-Mail  charris@mos-Intl.com

Web Address   www.mos-intl.com

Technical Contact         Carl Brightwell  (714) 754-7841

Product Name  Mail Center Manager (MCM TM)  3.4

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   12/10/01

Cycle   C

Price                $1,000 - $5,000

 

Company Name           Neopost

Sales Contact   Terry Mosbaugh

Address                       30955 Huntwood Ave

                        Hayward, CA 94544-7040

Phone               (510) 489-6800 x3218 

Fax                  (510) 441-8369

E-Mail              terrymosbaugh@neopost.com

Web Address   www.neopostinc.com

Technical Contact         Keith Robertson or Diem Tran (510) 489-6800

Product Name  ASX Enterprise Solution  4.00

Level of Certification     MAC

Date Certified   7/31/02

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