Customers Depend on Our Scanning

We have the ability to make passive scans in many of our facilities. Passive scanning takes advantage of all of our automated distribution equipment or material handling systems and the ability to “read” labels, container placards “in process.”

A passive scan does not require anyone to do anything. For example, as the item goes down a conveyor belt, it is automatically scanned. Nationally, we are currently expanding our ability to do more passive scans. Until everything can be passively scanned, we have to rely on people to scan.

Scanning has become a way of life. Customers demand to have the information that scanning provides. It allows them to make better business decisions. If customers don’t get the level of information that they want, they will look at alternatives.

This is why our competitors have invested so heavily in scanning and why they promote their ability to track packages in real-time. They want to be the alternative to the Postal Service.

Priority Mail is a growing business. We are increasing our market share at the expense of our competitors, even though the economy is tough for everyone. We can only keep this market share if we scan. Customers who have paid for Delivery Confirmation want to be able to track their Priority Mail package through our system; and, they want to know when it’s been delivered.

As we work Priority Mail manually in our processing and distribution facilities, it is important that we scan every Priority Mail piece with a Delivery Confirmation label. As soon as we are done scanning and have cleared this operation, the scanner needs to go back into its cradle. This allows the data to be downloaded and then posted to usps.com.

Our customers then get a true picture of where their Priority Mail is in our system. They can only get this picture if we make sure all proper scans are done when they are supposed to be done. Scanning provides our customer information and peace of mind. If they can see their mail move through our system, they know we have maintained chain-of-custody. They keep their trust in us. And they will keep coming back.

Delivery Confirmation is an important, value added option for our customers. Customers choose this option not on price, but on who will actually deliver on the promise. Meeting the promise means we will keep getting the revenue.