IDEAlliance's (then GCA) first effort, the Production Container Summary, detailed a mailing by container, content and rate to facilitate Third Class transportation pool planning for destination entry.
The concept was soon expanded to all classes as The Enhance Production Container Summary. During that period, the mailing industry further recognized a need for package level detail. The mailing industry had learned that the relatively simple environment of a few years ago, and it's specific solution, had been quickly outdated by rising expectations of what can and should be.
While developing Mail.dat, a single criterion defined the outcome: account for each possible preparation and presentation variable that could exist within a mailing.
Therefore, excluding addresses, Mail.dat summarizes all information for a given mailing. Any analysis of a mailing can be fully satisfied, except analysis unique to an address.
The specification has continuously evolved since the first Mail.dat format appeared in 1996. As with its predecessors. the current Mail.dat specification is defined by circumstances as perceived at this time, but built-in flexibility makes it possible to readily adapt to new requirements, as they are recognized.
The Mail.dat Committee is constantly attending to the viability, currency, and accuracy of the Mail.dat specification. Each user and potential user stands as a critical contributor to the quality, efficacy, and history of Mail.dat.