January 29, 2007

ALG Worldwide Logistics: Print & Mailing Solutions

Following the release of our service announcement on January 23, 2007, we have had many new inquiries into our Co-Palletization Management Network. Based on these inquiries, we have outlined more detailed information concerning our co-palletization process:

Periodical & Standard A Flats
Through the use of Monticello software, multiple mail.dat files are merged, creating "Mother Pallets," or pallets that did not exist in the original presort. These pallets create virtual sacks, so that there is a tracking mechanism referencing the original sack number from the original presort. This tracking mechanism is used to isolate bundles as they move from the original sack to the newly created pallet containing multiple jobs.

Once the newly created pallets and revised mail.dat file has been generated, the mail is ready to be co-palletized. The scanning equipment reads the Postnet Barcode on the bundle and assigns it to the correct ADC or SCF level. From this point, a label is automatically affixed to the outside of the mail bundle, the bundle is diverted from the conveyor into a diverter base and pallets are built for the purpose of obtaining destination entry discounts.

Standard A Letter Size
The co-palletization of letter size trays works in the exact same way as the co-palletization of Periodical/Standard A Flat sack mail.

Again, using Monticello software, multiple mail.dat files are merged, thusly dissolving the original pallets and changing the makeup of the mailing to loose trays. The loose trays are re-palletized across the multiple jobs contained in the pool to create pallets of trays that now qualify for destination entry discounts.

Print & Mailing Solutions
ALG’s Print & Mailing Solutions division, in conjunction with a leading software developer and scanning technology manufacturer, have developed a system that will provide speed and accuracy to the co-palletization environment. Through advanced technology and one of the largest destination entry consolidation services in the industry, ALG will provide a co-palletization solution unsurpassed in the industry for speed, accuracy and maximized savings.

To further enhance ALG’s Co-Mailing and Co-Palletization Management Network, UniTrack, the most sophisticated tracking mechanism in the industry, will be offered at no additional cost to the printer or lettershop. ALG will deliver peace of mind in a post-production environment by allowing the printer, lettershop or beneficial owner to track post co-mail/co-palletization to USPS entry and beyond. Continue to manage in-home, call center staffing and responses by tracking your co-mailed or co-palletized pieces throughout the distribution and postal processing networks.

These solutions have been developed for simultaneous introduction and inception to provide maximized work-share savings offered by the United States Postal Service. In April of 2007, ALG will offer single-source co-mailing and co-palletization solutions to the print and mailing marketplace. With these new services, ALG continues to deliver innovative logistics solutions and now offers innovative mailing support solutions to the industry.