What's In This Release:
- July 2023 Rate Case
- Feature Updates
Previous Releases
Current release notes are always available on the Product Downloads page of the BCC Software Customer Portal. Previously published release notes still be available on the Window Book site.
IMPORTANT: For future releases, Window Book release notes will only be available on the BCC Software Customer Portal.
July 2023 Rate Case
IMPORTANT RATE CASE INFORMATION
- Rate Case Effective Mailing Dates: This rate case release applies to mailings on or after July 9, 2023.
- PostalOne! Submissions: Mailings with mailing dates of July 9, 2023 or later can be submitted to PostalOne! on June 25, 2023.
- Disclaimer: Any further USPS July 2023 Rate Case updates will be in a future release.
- Resources: The following links provide more details about the upcoming USPS price and service changes.
- July 2023 Price Change Release Notes
- July 2023 Price Change Release Overview
Price Changes
DAT-MAIL supports price changes for the following mail classes:
- First-Class/Priority Mail
- Periodicals
- Marketing Mail
- Package Services
NOTE: For detailed prices, see the July 2023 Price Change page on Postal Explorer.
Postage Statements
The following postage statements have been updated for this release:
PS 3600-FCM - First-Class Mail, USPS Ground Advantage
PS 3600-PM - Priority Mail
PS 3541 - Periodicals
PS 3602-R - Marketing Mail
PS 3602-N - Marketing Mail Nonprofit
PS 3605-R - Package Services
For more detailed information about postage statement updates, see the July 2023 Postage Statement Redlines (zip file).
Mail.dat
The following errata versions of Mail.dat are supported for this release:
- 23-1, errata 23.1.0.3
- 22-1, errata 22.1.0.7
NOTE: Current Mail.dat specifications can be found on the DTAC site.
Feature Updates
SCF Pallet Discount Updates
Marketing Mail Flats
The 5-Digit pallet level is now included in the Marketing Mail Flats SCF discount.
Marketing Mail Letters
The SCF Pallet discount has expanded to include Marketing Mail letters (all entry points), this includes the following pallet levels:
- SCF
- 3-Digit
- 5-Digit
- 5-Digit Carrier Routes
Marketing Mail Flats and Heavy Letters Pricing Update
The USPS has updated the pricing structure for Marketing Mail flats and heavy letters, which applies to all entry points, and all presort levels.
New Structure
- Pieces below 4 oz receive a per-piece price.
- Pieces between 4 oz and 15.999 oz receive a per-piece price and a per-pound price, which is now calculated by subtracting the first 4 oz from the piece weight. For example, a 6 oz piece would be charged the per-pound price at the 2 oz rate.
USPS Ground Advantage
The following USPS products have been consolidated into USPS Ground Advantage:
- First-Class Package
- Parcel Select Ground
- USPS Retail Ground
The following applies to USPS Ground Advantage First-Class packages:
- Packages cannot exceed 70 lbs.
- Standard, dimensional, oversized, and cubic rates apply.
- Parcel rates under 1 lb are calculated by 4, 8, 12, and 15.999 oz increments.
- Zone pricing applies.
For more information see the new USPS Ground Advantage page.
New Machinable Parcels Dimension Threshold:
The USPS implemented new general requirements for the machinable and nonmachinable parcels dimension threshold. Machinable parcels cannot exceed:
- 22 inches long
- 18 inches high
- 15 inches thick
Parcel Select & Parcel Select Lightweight Price Restructuring:
The USPS implemented the following new price structure for parcel select and parcel select lightweight:
- Parcel Select and Parcel Select Lightweight rates have been reduced to correspond to each entry point. For example, if mail is sorted to 5-Digit and deposited at the DNDC, you will only get the NDC rate.
- To qualify for a Parcel Select or Parcel Select Lightweight mailing, the mail must be delivered to its processing facility (NDC/SCF/DDU). If mail pieces are not delivered at the NDC/SCF/DDU facility, they will be considered unqualified and will need to be mailed as
USPS Ground Advantage.
- The same rate is applied to machinable and nonmachinable/irregular parcels.
NOTE: There are no changes to mail preparation.
- Parcel rates under 1lb are calculated by 4, 8, 12, and 15.9999 oz increments.
DAT-MAIL Enhancements:
eInduction and Accept Mis-shipped Management
We’ve added new functions to manage eInduction and Accept Mis-shipped indicators within the DAT-MAIL Program Setup dialog. Similar settings were added for AWAM processing but can only be used for manual import. This is similar to the functionality in Post Presort.
Pallet ID Field Added
A new Pallet ID column has been added to the CSV export file. Go to Reports > CSVExport and select Tray & Sacks by segment ID format.
Second Barcode Added to Pallet Tags
A second barcode option has been added to the bottom of the pallet tags providing information like Unique Container Barcode (default), Job Number or Historical ID which can be used for internal tracking purposes.
Updates added to MPU Screen
Multi-selection of MPU records capability has been added to the Select MPU records screen. To select multiple records, use the checkmark buttons at the top of the list to tag/untag multiple records.
Job Description added to Tags and Flags Mailer Area
An option has been created to add the Job Description to printed tags and/or placards.
Added Historical JobID to Release Screens and AWAM
An update has been added to mark the Job ID field to always export using the Historical Job ID.
Opening a Ticket within the Software
Opening a ticket has been updated to send an email to the BCC Customer Support CRM.
AWAM Email Messages
An update has been made to AWAM to have the email message give more feedback on job status.
Hiding Pop-up Windows
An update has been added to hide pop-up windows in the Advances Settings. In other windows, you may have the option to hide future pop-ups.
DAT-MAIL Secure
An update has been added that prohibits the Admin Login from being turned off.
Known Issues:
The Informed Delivery Promotion Saturation option will be updated in a future release.
The XML Postage Export will be updated in a future release.
DHUB entries are partially supported for Package Services Parcel Select mailings. This can affect destination entries, freight planning, and logistics. This will be updated in a future release.
Fixed Issues:
B25317: A login error would sometimes occur when trying to connect to the LSC SFTP server.
B25123: Incorrect postage was reflected on the Mailing Recap Report.
B25161: Flat Trays did not appear on the .CSV export file.
B25098: When changing the column width in the main job selection browse, the new width could not be saved.
B25106: Quick Plan did not update the entry point in the Browse Pallet Database.
B25269: The piece count and number of copies were incorrect when selecting Combine SEG and MPU.
B25232: Segment descriptions on pallet placards were not available when a file had multiple segments.
B25005: An invalid entry would sometimes occur when selecting a range in Special Fees File view.
B25259: The USPS Logo did not display or print on PS Form 3606-D.
B25529: The Emerging Technology/Enhanced Emerging Technology Promotions Postage Calculation was incorrect. Ticket 116109
B25119: The SCF Pallet and Delivery Sort Container discounts were not reflected on the Floating Batch Manifest Report for Marketing Mail Flats.
B25541: A double piece count was reflected in the Rate Summary .CSV export when using Emerging Technology incentive (ME).
