Mail.dat® and Mail.XML are similar services for sending your mailing information electronically. But because these options are nearly identical, it can be difficult selecting the right service for your business needs. Here’s a guide to each service to help you decide which one will most benefit you.

What they have in common

• Mail.dat and Mail.XML each contain all the documentation you need to describe your mailing and populate all postal forms.
• Mail.dat and Mail.XML are industry standards maintained by IDEAlliance.
• In order to use either Mail.dat or Mail.XML with PostalOne!®, you will need to test your submissions in the Test Environment for Mailers (TEM) system.
• The layouts for Mail.dat and Mail.XML change periodically to account for changes in the industry and USPS regulations. PostalOne! supports up to two layouts of each at any one time.
• Both Mail.dat and Mail.XML satisfy the electronic documentation requirement for the Full-Service discount.

A few myths to dispel

• You need a Mail.dat license to use Mail.XML. False.
  In order to use Mail.XML, you do not also need Mail.dat. Mail.XML can be used as a standalone submission of your mailing paperwork. It can also be used to edit a Mail.dat submission.
• USPS is going to stop supporting Mail.dat. False.
  Mail.XML isn’t going to replace Mail.dat. Mail.dat is an established standard in the mailing industry and will continue to be used to communicate mailing structure and content to both USPS and third-party mail consolidators.

The Key Difference

Mail.dat is a file system

Mail.dat is a relational database that describes all parts of the mailing except the addresses themselves. It’s well known and supported by the mail industry, and is heavily used by logistics and mail consolidators. Because everything is contained in one file, it is easy to transfer everything to another computer by email or ftp. Mail.dat files can become rather large, and sending them may take extra time. Because Mail.dat contains all the possible information about your mailing, you can think of Mail.dat as an “encyclopedia” of your mailing.

Mail.XML is a communication system

Mail.XML is a way two computers can communicate. Bits of mailing information are described in XML messages. Together those messages become the content of your mailing. Mail.XML is relatively new and isn’t supported by all of the mailing industry yet. Storing Mail.XML is tricky; each communication is separate from the next. The smaller messages make communicating larger mailings faster. No extraneous data is included in the message. Because Mail.XML is a conversation about your mailing, you can think of Mail.XML as a series of emails about your mailing.

Which is right for me?

Talk with your downstream partners and your presort software vendor. Some of these companies haven’t made the switch to Mail.XML yet. But if you will be submitting your mailing data directly to PostalOne! and use a software product like Bulk Mailer, Mail.XML is the easier method to get started. If you would like a more in-depth evaluation, contact Satori Software and we can talk about your business needs.

barcodes · direct mail · Electronic Documentation · Full-Service · Intelligent Mail · mail preparation · Mail.dat · Mail.xml · mailing paperwork · mailing software · PostalOne! · USPS

You’ve weighed the options, and decided that you’d like to start using electronic documentation (eDocs) in place of your current postal paperwork. There are three ways to submit your mailing electronically — how do you know which one is best for your workflow? The answer depends on your mail volume, number of mailings and more. Let’s look at the different types of eDocs and how they work.

Mail.dat^®

Mail.dat is what most mailers think of when they hear “electronic documentation.” The mailing industry has been using Mail.dat files to communicate postal paperwork and mailing content since 1996 — it is well established as the standard. This makes Mail.dat the preferred option when using transportation or consolidation services and the most widely used form of eDocs in software packages. However, additional software is usually required, and storing the Mail.dat files can get confusing. USPS also requests that Mail.dat users go through an extensive testing process before submitting live mailings.

Mail.XML™

Ultimately Mail.XML contains all the information Mail.dat does, but the data is transmitted a different way. Rather than a set of complete files, Mail.XML is more like a series of short messages that together describe a mailing. Mail.XML is rather new, and not all software packages support it. There are no files to keep track of, but you still have to go through the same USPS testing process for PostalOne! submission. Once you’ve passed the test, Mail.XML is mostly likely the most streamlined way to submit mailing paperwork.

The Postal Wizard

Want to skip the testing process? You can use the Postal Wizard to enter postage statements directly into PostalOne! for some mailings. No extra software or files are required, but you must manually type in all the information from your postage statements. If you do several mailings each day, this can take awhile and it’s easier to make mistakes. There are several types of mailings that are not supported by the Postal Wizard, including Full-Service mailings over 10,000 pieces, or any mailing that requires a Qualification Report.

Which should I choose?

If you mail occasionally and don’t mind typing up your postage statements, the Postal Wizard may work for you. Mail.dat or Mail.XML will be a better choice for most regular mailers. Contact Satori Software if you’d like to learn more, or stay tuned to this blog for more in-depth analysis of Mail.dat and Mail.XML.

direct mail · Electronic Documentation · Full-Service · Intelligent Mail · mail preparation · Mail.dat · Mail.xml · mailing software · Postal Wizard · PostalOne! · USPS

Your mail entry clerk may be urging you, but are you are really ready to move from paper to electronic? Submitting postal paperwork electronically can speed up mail entry and save time, but requires a little knowledge and some patience.

The Benefits of Electronic Documentation

Replaces most of your printed paperwork

By submitting your mailing electronically, you won’t need to print the Postage Statements, Qualification Reports, Manifest Reports and other documentation that describes your mailing. You will still need to print container (tray/sack/pallet) labels.

Reduces ink and other printing costs

Paperwork for some mailings can be dozens of pages. Without all that extra printing, you save money on ink, paper and printer maintenance costs.  It adds up, so this can affect your bottom line.

Avoids human errors

Information is submitted directly into PostalOne! rather than being  manually entered by your mail entry clerk. No more missing and “fat-fingered” data. Also, with less printed paperwork to sort through at entry, missing or mismatched statements can be avoided as well.

Reduces time spent at The Post Office®

Your mailing information is submitted to PostalOne! before you leave your facility, and electronic verification of your documents is done before you reach your mail entry location. Last minute changes can be made before, or after, you submit your mailing. This cuts down on the time the entry clerk spends on each mailing, and allows you the flexibility to update documentation without an extra trip to The Post Office.

Qualifies for additional services and discounts from USPS

If you’re looking at the Intelligent Mail Full-Service discount, or want to try new initiatives like the QR Code promotion, electronic documentation is required.

A Few Considerations

Because electronic documentation is a technical process, it can take a bit more time to setup. Here are some things to think about before starting.

Select the right type of electronic documentation

Currently there are three ways to submit your mailing electronically: Mail.dat, Mail.XML and the Postal Wizard. Stay tuned to this blog for help in selecting the right type for your workflow. Depending on the size of your mailing and other factors, one type may make more sense for you.

Additional costs may apply

Depending on the type of electronic documentation you want to use, additional software may be required. Here are some additional features you may need.

• IDEAlliance membership – if you are using Mail.dat, a subscription is required to properly generate the Mail.dat files.
• Presort software add-ons – many PAVE certified software vendors (including Satori Software) offer Mail.dat creation or Mail.XML submission for a minimal annual fee.
• Post-presort software – if you are using Mail.dat and want more flexibility with your mailings, including editing, combining and splitting your mailings, post-presort software can offer these features.

Testing is needed for Mail.dat and Mail.XML

Because Mail.dat and Mail.XML access PostalOne! directly, USPS encourages you to test your Mail.dat files and Mail.XML messages before using them with live mailings. This process can take days or weeks, depending on the complexity of your mailings. Some software vendors, like Satori Software, offer services to help you through the testing process.

Support for the Postal Wizard is limited

In many cases, the Postal Wizard can only be used for mailings under 10,000 pieces. Also, you have to enter data into the Postal Wizard manually, which can result in mistyped or missing information.

The Right Time for Electronic Documentation

If any of the following apply to you, it may be time to look at electronic documentation.

• You want to take advantage of Full-Service Intelligent Mail discounts or seasonal sales such as the QR code promotion.
• You regularly process several paper postage statements every week, and want to cut down on acceptance time during mail entry.
• You want to cut down on the paper used to print your mailing documentation.

Electronic documentation can help streamline and enhance your mailing workflow. Satori offers a custom analysis of your current system to help you decide if electronic documentation makes sense for you. Contact Satori Software to get your analysis, and stay tuned to this blog to learn more about the different types of electronic documentation that are available.

barcodes · Electronic Documentation · Full-Service · Intelligent Mail · mail preparation · Mail.dat · Mail.xml · mailing paperwork · Postal Wizard · PostalOne! · USPS