No, it's neither a hamburger nor a desktop computer, but the Postal Service's 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 wouldn't 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). It's 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
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. That's why it's best to use MAC-certified products. The developers are knowledgeable, and an experienced technical Postal Service team supports them. As a customer, you wouldn't want anything less.
Company Name Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Inc.
Sales Contact John Grogan
Address
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Level of Certification MAC
Date Certified 12/10/01
Cycle C
Price $1,000 - $5,000
Company Name Neopost
Sales Contact Terry Mosbaugh
Address
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
Level of Certification MAC
Date Certified 7/31/02
Cycle D
Price Custom
Company Name Neopost
Sales Contact Terry Mosbaugh
Address
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 Friendship 4.00
Level of Certification MAC
Date Certified 7/31/02
Cycle D
Price Custom
Company Name Neopost
Sales Contact Terry Mosbaugh
Address
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 ILS.Pre-Ship 4.00
Level of Certification MAC
Date Certified 7/31/02
Cycle D
Price Custom
Company Name Pitney Bowes Distribution Solutions
Sales Contact Tim Stolz
Address
Phone (800) 888-6226
Fax (952) 885-7220
E-Mail tim.stolz@pb.com
Web Address www.supplychain.pb.com
Technical Contact Peter Carlson (952) 885-7115
Product Name PB TMS
Level of Certification MAC
Date Certified 3/28/02
Cycle C
Price Custom
Company Name Pitney Bowes Distribution Solutions
Sales Contact Tim Stolz
Address
Phone (800) 888-6226
Fax (952) 885-7220
E-Mail tim.stolz@pb.com
Web Address www.supplychain.pb.com
Technical Contact Peter Carlson (952) 885-7115
Product Name PB TMS 3.1.1
Level of Certification MAC
Date Certified 3/28/02
Cycle C
Price Custom
Company Name ScanData Systems
Sales Contact Kym Cherubini
Address
Phone (614) 766-6622 x1
Fax (614) 766-0065
E-Mail sales@scandata.com
Web Address www.scandata.com
Technical Contact George Blust (614) 766-6622
Product Name VSAMS 8.90.02D
Level of Certification MAC
Date Certified 7/11/02
Cycle D
Price Over $5,000
Company Name Tech Conveyor Inc
Sales Contact Theodore R Peyrek III
Address
Phone (908) 454-1515
Fax (908) 454-8005
E-Mail t3peyrek
Web Address techconveyor.com
Technical Contact Larry Frey or Steve Danner (908) 454-1515
Product Name PSMS 1.01
Level of Certification MAC
Date Certified 2/27/02
Cycle C
Price Custom
Company Name Window Book Inc.
Sales Contact John Orcutt
Address
Phone (800) 370-2410
Fax (617) 354-3961
E-Mail johnorcott@windowbook.com
Web Address www.windowbook.com
Technical Contact Lloyd Moss (617) 441-3500
Product Name Postal Package Partner 3.01.1
Level of Certification MAC
Date Certified 7/31/02
Cycle D
Price $500 - $1,000
