MAC? |
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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 |
