Scalable Production Mailing Solutions. Satori. Presort. Satori Presort. Release Notes. 8.00c August Simply Powerful

Transcription

1 Scalable Production Mailing Solutions Satori Presort Satori Presort Release Notes 8.00c August 2014 Simply Powerful

2 COPYRIGHT 2014 SATORI SOFTWARE INC th Ave, Suite 2200 Seattle, WA This manual and software are copyrighted by Satori Software Inc. All rights are reserved and neither manual nor software may be copied in any way without prior consent. Satori and Satori Software are registered trademarks of Satori Software Inc. The Satori Software logo is a trademark of Satori Software Inc. in the United States and other countries. The following trademarks are owned by the United States Postal Service: CASS, CASS Certified, DPV, elot, FASTforward, First-Class Mail, Intelligent Mail, LACSLink, NCOALink, Media Mail, PAVE, Post Office, Postal Service, PostalOne!, POSTNET, Standard Mail, RDI, The Postal Service, US Postal Service, U.S. Postal Service, USPS, ZIPtm, ZIP Code, ZIP + 4 and the United States Postal Service. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. V

3 Contents What's new in this release? 3 Information about supported platforms 3 Satori Presort 8.00c new features and updates 3 Monthly directory management 4 Auxiliary files 5 Auxiliary Files block (Presort) 6 Auxiliary Files block (ZIPCount) 11 Directory lifecycle 12 Directory filenames 13 Storing directories 14 Selecting the directory files 14 Presort can select the directories automatically 15 You can select the directories yourself 15 Which directories are valid for my mailing? 18 About estimated drop dates 20 Removing expired directories 23 Setting up multiple entry points in Presort Views 23 How Presort Views generates valid entry points 23 Creating entry point descriptions in chronological order 24 If the range of dates is too wide 26 "Forcing" Presort Views to select the same directories 26 IMb serial number tracking and assignment improvements 27 Serial number sequencing restarts for every job 27 Serial numbers can be unique for longer than 45 days 27 Excluding mail from FSS preparation 28 Exclude High Density and High Density Plus mail from FSS preparation 29 1

4 Turn off all FSS preparation 30 Specifying election mail or political mail content 30 Mail.dat changes 32 Mail.dat Mail.dat Postage Statement changes 34 Postage statement lengths 35 Other changes 35 DefMap and Edjob versions 35 Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Non-Compliance Update 35 Fixed issues 36 Using Presort during the transition period 37 Directory distribution from Satori Software 39 Downloading service packs and fix packs 40 Upgrading to Satori Presort 8.00c Upgrading a Windows standalone, server, or Remote Views client 41 Post-installation tasks 42 Upgrading a Windows client 42 Upgrading a UNIX machine 42 Upgrading Remote Views 43 Running Edjob and patch scripts 44 Job file parameters that are added or changed by Edjob 44 Directory updates 47 Directory release schedule 47 Mail Direction files and labeling lists 47 Accessing Documentation 48 Contacting Satori Software Technical Support 49 2

5 What's new in this release? Satori Presort 8.00c (Service Pack 15 or SP15) is a required release that supports the USPS Summer 2014 Major PostalOne! Release changes that go into effect on September 7, You can verify your mailings with this release starting on August 24, 2014 when PostalOne! is deployed, but you cannot submit them until September 7, 2014 when PostalOne! takes effect. (If you are using Mail.dat 14-1 with SP15, you can submit your mail starting August 24.) You can continue to use SP14 to process your jobs that will be entered before September 7, Note: If you are strictly using Mail.dat 14-1 and generating postage statements from the Mail.dat files via PostalOne! or other means, you can continue to use SP14 until October 31. (We will provide SP14 compatible directories that contain date valid only through October 31, 2014.) See Important dates during the transition period for more information. To access these release notes online, go to Satori Presort 8.00c Release Notes. Information about supported platforms We have added support for the following platforms: Windows 8.0 Pro (32- and 64-bit) Windows 8.1 Pro (32- and 64-bit) Windows Server 2012 (64-bit) Important: Due to the discontinuation of Windows XP support by Microsoft in April 2014, we are planning to end support for Presort on the Windows XP platform after the USPS Winter 2015 Major PostalOne! Release (in Q1 2015). The first release that will not support Presort on the Windows XP platform will be the USPS Summer 2015 Major PostalOne! Release (in Q3 2015). Satori Presort 8.00c new features and updates This release contains the following new features and updates Monthly directory management IMb serial number tracking and assignment improvements Specifying election mail or political mail content Excluding mail from FSS preparation The $date macro is now available for the following parameters: Auto Matching/Coding Date CART Matching/Coding Date 3

6 CART Sequencing Date LOT Database Date Simplified Address Date Move Update Date Mail.dat 14-2 and 14-1 Errata changes Postage Statement changes Other changes Fixed issues Monthly directory management The USPS is now releasing data directory updates on a monthly basis. You will receive the directories around the second week of each month prior to the month that they become effective. Presort has been enhanced to manage the monthly directories. The process of selecting directories has changed significantly. Highlights include: You can choose to let Presort select the directories automatically or you can specify the directories you want to use yourself. Directories now have a lifecycle of three months. Directories are valid for two months. Directory filename structure has been updated to include the year and month of the first month that they are valid. Directory validity is currently based on the mailing verification date, but will be based on the induction date in the next PostalOne! release (currently scheduled for November 2014). The induction date in Presort is referred to as the "estimated drop date." If you drop ship, the estimated drop date is the day the mailing is unloaded from the truck at the entry facility. The mail verification date is the date that the USPS verifies and accepts the mailing, which happens after the estimated drop date. If you do not drop ship, the mail verification and estimated drop dates are the same. This change should not affect mailers who do not drop ship. Every entry point description requires an estimated drop date unless there is a default date in the Entry Point Defaults block. Sequence of setting up entry point descriptions in Views when Presort selects the directories automatically is critical. 4

7 Auxiliary files With the software, you receive a set of supporting files that contain USPS data such as labeling lists, zone information, and facility information used for mail sortations.you will receive updated directory files in the month prior to when they become effective, and they are effective for two months. See Directory lifecycle for more information. The Auxiliary Files block is where you specify the locations of these files. Depending on how you specify the path and filenames in the USPS Presort Data Folder parameter and individual directory file parameters, Presort can select the directories automatically, or you can specify which directories you want Presort to use. See Presort can select the directories automatically and You can select the directories yourself for more information. This table contains information about the auxiliary files and how they are used. Directory name ZIP-City File (ZCF) directory Mail Processing Center (MPC) directory Filename Applicable mailings Purpose YYMM_zcf.dir All mailings Can verify that zip codes are valid. Also used in sorting and labeling of 5 digit containers. YYMM_mpc.dir All mailings Contains information about the service areas of SCFs, ADCs, NDCs, and other facilities, which used for sorting mail and for forms and labels. Used in creating containers and labeling using the USPS labeling lists. Zone directory YYMM_zone.dir PER, PSVC BPM, Parcel Select Delivery Statistics File (DSF) directory YYMM_dsf.dir Walksequenced mailings Determines the zone "distance" between entry and delivery point. Used for saturation mailings to check the number of stops to determine density was met for the saturation rate. Facility directory YYMM_facility.dir All mailings Contains information about USPS drop ship facilities, such as drop site keys, drop site names, and drop site delivery addresses. Mail Direction directory Default Format file Default Definition file YYMM_maildirect.dir All mailings Used to determine where mail should be dropped based on when the drop will occur, so that you can receive discounts. <file>.fmt N/A Indicates to Presort the format file to use for your input files if an FMT corresponding to the input file is not found. <file>.def N/A Indicates to Presort the definition file to use to map input file fields to Presort fields if a DEF corresponding to the input file is not found. 5

8 Auxiliary Files block (Presort) Note: This block is required! The Auxiliary Files block is where you specify the locations of the directory files, default format file, and default DEF file. When specifying path and filenames, be sure to use the correct syntax for your operating system: System Windows UNIX Example location \ss\dirs ss/dirs Directory files Presort can select the directories automatically, or you can specify which directories you want Presort to use, depending on how you specify the path and filenames in the following parameters: USPS Presort Data Folder (See Note).. = ZCF Directory ([path]yymm_zcf.dir)... = Mail Proc Ctr Dir([path]YYMM_mpc.dir) = PER/PSVC Zone Dir([path]YYMM_zone.dir)= PER/STD Del Stats([path]YYMM_dsf.dir) = MailDirect.([path]YYMM_facility.dir). = MailDirect.([path]YYMM_maildirect.dir)= See Selecting the directory files for more information. Default format and definition files The following parameters are used to specify the default format and definition files: Default Format (path & file.fmt)... = Default DEF (path & file.def)... = See "Default Format and Default DEF parameters" in the Job File Reference for more information. USPS Presort Data Folder parameter This parameter is used to specify the path to the folder that contains the directories to use to process your job. USPS Presort Data Folder (See Note).. = 6

9 Depending on whether you choose to let Presort select the directories automatically (recommended), or you select them yourself, enter the path to the folder or leave this parameter blank: If you want Presort to select the correct directories automatically, enter the path to the folder into this parameter. Leave the individual filename parameters blank. Presort can only select directories for you from one folder. If you want to specify the directories to use yourself and they are all located in the same folder, enter the path to the folder into this parameter. Enter the filename of each directory into the individual filename parameters. If you want to specify the directories to use yourself and they are located in different folders, leave this parameter blank. Enter the full path and filename of each directory into the individual filename parameters. Note: We do not recommend storing directories in different folders. See "Storing Directories" in the Presort User Guide for more information. Note: The USPS Presort Data Folder parameter and individual directory file parameters will accept a relative path based on the current working directory. See Auxiliary Files block (Presort) for the list of individual directory file parameters. See Presort can select the directories automatically and You can select the directories yourself for more information. ZCF Directory parameter The ZIP City File (ZCF) directory can verify that zip codes are valid. It is also used in sorting and labeling of 5-digit containers. This parameter is located in the Auxiliary Files block and is used to specify the path and/or filename of the ZCF directory ([path]yymm_zcf.dir). ZCF Directory ([path]yymm_zcf.dir)... = Depending on whether you choose to let Presort select the directories automatically (recommended) or you select them yourself, leave this parameter blank, enter just the filename, or enter the full path and filename of the directory. Note: This parameter will accept a relative path based on the current working directory. See Presort can select the directories automatically and You can select the directories yourself for more information. For Views only: In the Auxiliary Files window in Views, you can use the Use ZCF Path for all Directories to duplicate the information from the ZCF Directory field, whether it is a full path and filename or just a filename, into the remaining directory fields. The filenames will be changed to reflect the respective directories and will have the same month and year as the ZCF Directory file. If the ZCF Directory field is blank, clicking this button will clear any information in the remaining 7

10 directory fields. If these fields are already blank, nothing will be copied into them and they will remain blank. See "Copying file paths in Views" in the Presort User Guide for more information. The software verifies the internal date of the YYMM_zcf.dir file. If the data is current, the software processes your job. If it is not current, you will receive an error. The Auxiliary Files section of the Job Summary report lists the file date and time, effective date, and filename of the Presort directories that were used for this mailing. The USPS requires you to submit the mailing while all directories used are valid. The range of dates that you must submit your mailing within appears on the job summary report just after the list of auxiliary files. Mail Proc Ctr Dir parameter This file contains information about SCFs, ADCs, NDCs, and other facilities used for sorting mail and for forms and labels. Used in creating containers and labeling using the USPS labeling lists. This parameter is located in the Auxiliary Files block and is used to specify the path and/or filename of the MPC directory ([path]yymm_mpc.dir). Mail Proc Ctr Dir([path]YYMM_mpc.dir) = Depending on whether you choose to let Presort select the directories automatically (recommended) or you select them yourself, leave this parameter blank, enter just the filename, or enter the full path and filename of the directory. Note: This parameter will accept a relative path based on the current working directory. See Presort can select the directories automatically and You can select the directories yourself for more information. If you choose to create 5-digit-scheme containers, the software verifies the internal date of the YYMM_mpc.dir file. If the data is current, the software processes your job. If it is not current, you will receive an error. The Auxiliary Files section of the Job Summary report lists the file date and time, effective date, and filename of the Presort directories that were used for this mailing. The USPS requires you to submit the mailing while all directories used are valid. The range of dates that you must submit your mailing within appears on the job summary report just after the list of auxiliary files. PER/PSVC Zone Dir parameter The Zone directory is used for Periodicals, Package Services, Bound Printed Matter, and Parcel Select mailings.it determines the zone "distance" between entry and delivery point. This parameter is located in the Auxiliary Files block and is used to specify the path and/or filename of the Zone directory ([path]yymm_zone.dir). PER/PSVC Zone Dir([path]YYMM_zone.dir)= Depending on whether you choose to let Presort select the directories automatically 8

11 (recommended) or you select them yourself, leave this parameter blank, enter just the filename, or enter the full path and filename of the directory. Note: This parameter will accept a relative path based on the current working directory. See Presort can select the directories automatically and You can select the directories yourself for more information. The software verifies the internal date of the YYMM_zone.dir file. If the data is current, the software processes your job. If it is not current, you will receive an error. The Auxiliary Files section of the Job Summary report lists the file date and time, effective date, and filename of the Presort directories that were used for this mailing. The USPS requires you to submit the mailing while all directories used are valid. The range of dates that you must submit your mailing within appears on the job summary report just after the list of auxiliary files. +PER/STD Del Stats parameter This directory is used for saturation mailings to check the number of stops to determine density was met for the saturation rate. This parameter is located in the Auxiliary Files block and is used to specify the path and/or filename of the Delivery Statistics directory ([path]yymm_dsf.dir). PER/STD Del Stats([path]YYMM_dsf.dir) = Depending on whether you choose to let Presort select the directories automatically (recommended) or you select them yourself, leave this parameter blank, enter just the filename, or enter the full path and filename of the directory. Note: This parameter will accept a relative path based on the current working directory. See Presort can select the directories automatically and You can select the directories yourself for more information. The software verifies the internal date of the YYMM_dsf.dir file. If the data is current, the software processes your job. If it is not current, you will receive an error. The effective date of this directory is used to fill in the "For pieces bearing a simplified address enter date of delivery statistics file or alternative method" field on the 3541, 3600 and 3602 postage statements. The Auxiliary Files section of the Job Summary report lists the file date and time, effective date, and filename of the Presort directories that were used for this mailing. The USPS requires you to submit the mailing while all directories used are valid. The range of dates that you must submit your mailing within appears on the job summary report just after the list of auxiliary files. 9

12 Mail Direction (facility.dir) parameter This directory contains information about USPS drop ship facilities, such as site keys, site names, and site delivery addresses. This parameter is located in the Auxiliary Files block and is used to specify the path and/or filename of the Facility directory ([path]yymm_facility.dir). MailDirect.([path]YYMM_facility.dir). = Depending on whether you choose to let Presort select the directories automatically (recommended) or you select them yourself, leave this parameter blank, enter just the filename, or enter the full path and filename of the directory. Note: This parameter will accept a relative path based on the current working directory. See Presort can select the directories automatically and You can select the directories yourself for more information. The software verifies the internal date of the YYMM_facility.dir file. If the data is current, the software processes your job. If it is not current, you will receive an error. The Auxiliary Files section of the Job Summary report lists the file date and time, effective date, and filename of the Presort directories that were used for this mailing. The USPS requires you to submit the mailing while all directories used are valid. The range of dates that you must submit your mailing within appears on the job summary report just after the list of auxiliary files. Mail Direction (maildirect.dir) parameter This directory is used to determine where mail should be dropped based on when the drop will occur, so that you can receive discounts. This parameter is located in the Auxiliary Files block and is used to specify the path and/or filename of the Mail Direction directory ([path]yymm_maildirect.dir). MailDirect.([path]YYMM_maildirect.dir)= Depending on whether you choose to let Presort select the directories automatically (recommended) or you select them yourself, leave this parameter blank, enter just the filename, or enter the full path and filename of the directory. Note: This parameter will accept a relative path based on the current working directory. See Presort can select the directories automatically and You can select the directories yourself for more information. The software verifies the internal date of the YYMM_maildirect.dir file. If the data is current, the software processes your job. If it is not current, you will receive an error. 10

13 The Auxiliary Files section of the Job Summary report lists the file date and time, effective date, and filename of the Presort directories that were used for this mailing. The USPS requires you to submit the mailing while all directories used are valid. The range of dates that you must submit your mailing within appears on the job summary report just after the list of auxiliary files. Auxiliary Files block (ZIPCount) BEGIN Auxiliary Files ===================== Mail Proc Ctr Dir (Location & YYMM_mpc.dir)... = Mail Direction (Location & YYMM_facility.dir).. = Mail Direction (Location & YYMM_maildirect.dir) = Default ASCII FMT File (Location & <file>.fmt). = END Mail Proc Ctr Dir (Location & YYMM_mpc.dir) Contains information about SCFs, ADCs, NDCs, and other facilities used for sorting mail and for forms and labels. Also used in creating containers and labeling using the USPS labeling lists. Type the name and location of the Mail Processing Center Directory, for example: Windows: \ss\dirs\yymm_mpc.dir UNIX: /ss/dirs/yymm_mpc.dir Mail Direction (Location & YYMM_facility dir) Contains information about USPS drop ship facilities, such as site keys, site names, and site delivery addresses. Type the location and file name of the Facility directory file, YYMM_facility.dir. Mail Direction (Location & YYMM_maildirect.dir) Used to determine where mail should be dropped based on when the drop will occur, so that you can receive discounts. Type the location and file name of the Mail Direction directory file, YYMM_maildirect.dir. Default ASCII FMT File (Location & <file>.fmt) Indicates to Presort the format file to use for your input files if a corresponding FMT file is not found. If all your input files are in the same format, you do not need to create separate FMTs for each file. Create just one FMT file, and type its path and name on this line. If you have input files that differ from the standard format, you may create an individual FMT for the exceptions. ZIPCount looks for an individual FMT within the same directory and with the same base name as the input file. If one is found, it overrides the default FMT. You can use $JOB in this parameter, which converts to the base job file name (without a path or extension). 11

14 Directory lifecycle Directories have a three-month lifecycle, which is comprised of three phases: Notification, Active, and Outgoing. Directories are valid for mailings with estimated drop dates that fall in either the Active phase or Outgoing phase for that directory release, which are during the second and third months of the lifecycle. Notification phase During the first month, the directories will be available around the second week of the month so you can review the upcoming changes and plan for mailings with estimated drop dates that fall within the next two months. The directories cannot be used for estimated drop dates in that month. Active phase During the second month, the directories become effective on the first day of the month and are valid to use for mailings with estimated drop dates in that month and the next month. This is the preferred directory set to use for mailing dates that fall within that month. Outgoing phase During the third month, the directories are valid to use only for estimate drop dates in that month and expire at the end of that month. There is a newer set of data files in a different release that are in active phase, but files in the outgoing phase are acceptable to use for mailings with estimated drop dates in that month. Example The following example demonstrates the lifecycle for USPS Release 5, also referred to as the "September directories." These directories can only be used for estimated drop dates that fall in September and October. The filename structure for each of the September directories will be 1409_<directory>.dir. (See Directory filenames for information about the directory filename structure.) In August, the "September directories" in Release 5 are in the Notification phase and cannot be used for estimated drop dates in August. They can be used for estimated drop dates in September and October. In September, the "September directories" in Release 5 are in the Active phase and the directories can be used for estimated drop dates in September and October. In October, the "September directories" in Release 5 are in the Outgoing phase and the directories can still be used for estimated drop dates in October. In November, the "September directories" in Release 5 cannot be used because they will be expired by October 31. Either the "October directories" in Release 6 (1410_ <directory>.dir) or "November directories" in Release 7 (1411_ <directory>.dir) can be used for estimated drop dates that fall in November. 12

15 See Which directories are valid for my mailing? for information about the directories that can be used based on your mailing's estimated drop date. Directory filenames Each directory file is uniquely named with a filename structure of YYMM_<directory>.dir. The prefix YYMM represents the year and month that the directory file first becomes effective. See Directory lifecycle for more information about when directories can be used for mailings. Each file in a directory set for a given month will have the same YYMM prefix. For example, the October 2014 directories are named as follows: Directory name ZIP-City File (ZCF) directory Mail Processing Center (MPC) directory Zone directory Delivery Statistics File (DSF) directory Facility directory Mail Direction directory Filename 1410_zcf.dir 1410_mpc.dir 1410_zone.dir 1410_dsf.dir 1410_facility.dir 1410_maildirect.dir The YYMM prefix allows for chronological sorting of files within a folder so that all of the directory files for one set will appear together. This is handy when you are browsing to identify a specific directory when selecting the directories to use yourself. Because the filenames are unique, you can store all directory files in one folder without risk of overwriting any files. 13

16 See Selecting the directory files for a list of the jobfile parameters that are used to specify the directory files. Storing directories Because each directory filename is unique, all directory files can be stored together in the same folder, which we highly recommend. The...\ss\dir folder is the default directory location. At any given time, there are three sets of directories that are available to use for your mailing: Notification, Active, and Outgoing. We highly recommend storing these three directory sets in the same folder. When allowing Presort to select the directories automatically, Presort will look for directories only in the folder you specify in the USPS Presort Data Folder parameter. Presort will not search for directories in other folders. See Directory lifecycle for more information about when directories are valid to use. Keeping all directories in the same folder will allow Presort to find the appropriate directories to use for your mailing. If you are selecting the directories yourself, this will make finding the appropriate directories easier. See Presort can select the directories automatically and You can select the directories yourself for more information about specifying the directories to use. There is no automated way to "clean out" the directories from this folder that are no longer valid and expired. Directories will continue to accumulate in this location until you manually delete or remove them. See Removing expired directories for guidelines on removing expired directory files that you no longer use. Selecting the directory files To select the directory files, use the following parameters in the Auxiliary Files block. USPS Presort Data Folder (See Note).. = ZCF Directory ([path]yymm_zcf.dir)... = Mail Proc Ctr Dir([path]YYMM_mpc.dir) = PER/PSVC Zone Dir([path]YYMM_zone.dir)= PER/STD Del Stats([path]YYMM_dsf.dir) = MailDirect.([path]YYMM_facility.dir). = MailDirect.([path]YYMM_maildirect.dir)= See Auxiliary Files block (Presort) for specific information about these parameters. You can configure Presort to select the directories automatically (recommended), or you can specify the directory files yourself (default behavior). This depends on how you populate these parameters. See Presort can select the directories automatically and You can select the directories yourself for more information. 14

17 Presort can select the directories automatically You can configure Presort to select the directories automatically. This is the recommended method of selecting directories to ensure that correct ones will always be used. Presort will select the correct directories based on the estimated drop dates of your mailing. See Which directories are valid for my mailing? for details on how the correct directories for your mailing are determined. To configure Presort to select the directories: 1. Specify the folder path and filename of where the directories are located in the USPS Presort Data Folder parameter in the Auxiliary Files block. Presort will look for and choose the correct directories from this folder. See USPS Presort Data Folder parameter for details about this parameter. 2. Leave all of the individual directory file parameters blank. If these parameters are populated with any path and/or filenames, Presort will use those directories. Note: In Views, you can quickly remove any existing information from the individual directory file parameters by using the Use ZCF Path for all Directories button. See Copying file paths in Views for more information. Valid files must be located in the folder specified in the USPS Presort Data Folder parameter that match the filenames Presort expects to find. If the files cannot be found, Presort will error. Presort will not search any other location for the files. We highly recommend that you download and install the latest directories every month to ensure that valid directories are always available. See Storing directories for more information. When a file like the Zone directory (YYMM_zone.dir) or the Delivery Statistics File (DSF) directory (YYMM_dsf.dir) is not required for your job, such as Standard Mail not using zones or a non- CART mailing that doesn t use delivery statistics, those directory files do not have to be present in the folder specified in the USPS Presort Data Folder parameter. To specify the directories to use yourself, see You can select the directories yourself. You can select the directories yourself If you prefer, you can select the directories to use yourself. However, the process of determining which directories are valid to use for your mailing is complex, especially when there are multiple estimated drop dates and multiple entry points (See "Multiple entry points" in the Presort User Guide. We recommend letting Presort choose the directories automatically to ensure that the correct directories are always used. (See Presort can select the directories automatically.) To select the directories yourself, you must first determine the correct directories to use. The directories you specify must be within the effective date range of the estimated drop dates. See Which directories are valid for my mailing? for assistance in determining the correct directories to use. Important: If you only run a job occasionally, you should verify each time that the directories specified are valid. If you need to specify new directories, you will need to set up all of your entry points again using those new directories. 15

18 When selecting the directories, we highly recommend that you use directories that are all for the same month, which all start with the same YYMM prefix. You specify the directories to use by populating parameters in the Auxiliary Files block. The way you populate the parameters depends on where the files are located, either all in the same folder or in different folders. Note: The USPS Presort Data Folder parameter individual directory file parameters will accept a relative path based on the current working directory. If you want to specify the directories to use yourself and they are located in the same folder, enter the pathname of the folder that contains the directories into the USPS Presort Data Folder parameter, and enter the appropriate filename with no path (YYMM_<directory>.dir) into each individual directory file parameter. For example, to use the directories for the month of October 2014 located in C:\ss\dirs, you would populate the parameters like this: USPS Presort Data Folder (See Note).. = C:\ss\dirs ZCF Directory ([path]yymm_zcf.dir)... = 1410_zcf.dir Mail Proc Ctr Dir([path]YYMM_mpc.dir) = 1410_mpc.dir PER/PSVC Zone Dir([path]YYMM_zone.dir)= 1410_zone.dir PER/STD Del Stats([path]YYMM_dsf.dir) = 1410_dsf.dir MailDirect.([path]YYMM_facility.dir). = 1410_facility.dir MailDirect.([path]YYMM_maildirect.dir)= 1410_maildirect.dir If you want to specify the directories to use yourself and they are located in different folders (this is not common, and not recommended), enter the appropriate full path and filename of each directory ([path]yymm_<directory>.dir) into each parameter. Leave the USPS Presort Data Folder parameter blank. For example, to use some directories for the month of October 2014, with some located in C:\ss\dirs, and some located in C:\ss\data_files, you might populate the parameters like this: USPS Presort Data Folder (See Note).. = ZCF Directory ([path]yymm_zcf.dir)... = C:\ss\dirs\1410_zcf.dir Mail Proc Ctr Dir([path]YYMM_mpc.dir) = C:\ss\data_files\1410_mpc.dir PER/PSVC Zone Dir([path]YYMM_zone.dir)= C:\ss\dirs\1410_zone.dir PER/STD Del Stats([path]YYMM_dsf.dir) = C:\ss\dirs\1410_dsf.dir MailDirect.([path]YYMM_facility.dir). = C:\ss\data_files\1410_facility.dir MailDirect.([path]YYMM_maildirect.dir)= C:\ss\data_files\1410_maildirect.dir Valid directory files must exist in the location you specify; Presort will not search for directory files in any other location. If Presort cannot find the directories it is looking for, Presort will error. If one directory file parameter is filled in, all remaining directory file parameters must also be filled in, except for the PER/STD Del Stats ([path]yymm_dsf.dir) and PER/PSVC Zone Dir ([path] YYMM_zone.dir) parameters, which are optional for mailings that do not use these directories. Otherwise, you will receive an error. 16

19 Specifying directory files using Views In Views, if you browse to select directories, the Specify <directory name> Directory window appears with the File name field populated with the filename of the directory that Presort would select. For example: If the job is set up with estimated drop dates ranging from September 20 to October 20, 1409_zcf.dir (for September 2014) will appear in the file name field when browsing for the ZCF directory. If there are multiple valid directories, Presort will show the name of the one it would use if it were going to choose (which will generally be the newest directory that would be valid). For example, if the estimated drop dates range from October 8 to October 25, 1410_ zcf.dir (for October 2014) will appear in the file name field when browsing for the ZCF directory. Presort will not verify whether the directories are in the specified location(s); it will just suggest the name of the file to be used. If the file cannot be found, you will receive an error. For ease in finding the correct directory files, we suggest that you sort them in descending numerical order, so that the filenames with the largest numbers appear at the top of the list, which are the newest directory files. For example, 1410_zcf.dir will appear above 1409_zcf.dir. From here, you can easily find the directory files you are looking for. Optionally, once you have entered information into the ZCF Directory field, you can quickly fill in the remaining directory fields by using the Use ZCF File Path for all Directories button. See Copying file paths in Views for more information. Copying file paths in Views In Views, once you have entered information into the ZCF Directory field, you can quickly fill in the remaining directory fields by using the Use ZCF File Path for all Directories button: 1. Open the Auxiliary window. 2. Enter the ZCF directory path and/or filename ([path]yymm_zcf.dir or YYMM_ zcf.dir). 3. Click Use ZCF File Path for all Directories. The information from the ZCF Directory field, whether it is a full path and filename or just a filename, will be duplicated in the remaining directory fields. The filenames will be changed to reflect the respective directories and will be for the same month and year as the ZCF Directory file. 17

20 For example, if the ZCF Directory field contains C:\ss\dir\1501_zcf.dir, the remaining fields will be populated as shown: If you enter just the filename in this parameter, only the filenames will be populated in the individual directory fields. When there are only filenames specified in the directory parameters, the path to the folder where the directory files are located must be specified in the USPS Presort Data Folder field. If the ZCF Directory field is blank, clicking Use ZCF File Path for all Directories will clear any information in the remaining directory fields. If these fields are already blank, nothing will be copied into them and they will remain blank. This feature does not configure Presort to pick the directories automatically. It simply duplicates the information in the ZCF Directory field. If you want Presort to automatically select the directories, see Presort can select the directories automatically for more information. This feature also does not verify whether the directories specified are valid, have the correct filename, or exist in the specified location. Presort will not search for directories if the exact files specified cannot be found in the specified location. You will receive an error if Presort cannot locate the files. Related Topics You can select the directories yourself Which directories are valid for my mailing? Directories have a three-month lifecycle, however they are valid for mailings with estimated drop dates that fall in the second two months of the lifecycle. Your mailings can use a given directory set only if the estimated drop date falls within the Active or Outgoing phases for that directory release. For information about the three phases of a directory release and when a given directory set is valid to use, see Directory lifecycle. Presort selects the directories based on the estimated drop date of your mailing and will generally use the Active directories by default. If the Active directories are not available, Presort will attempt to 18

21 use the directories from the previous month (Outgoing) if they are valid for your mailing. For example, if the estimated drop dates are in September and no September directories are available, but August directories are, Presort will use the August directories automatically. (If neither directory set is available, Presort will return an error.) In the cases of multiple estimated drop dates, or estimated drop dates falling near the beginning of the month, the Active directories may not necessarily be the preferred directories to use. Here are some guidelines for determining which directories should be used: In each calendar month, there are two sets of files that can be used for mailings with estimated drop dates that fall within that month: Active directories from the current month's release and Outgoing directories from the previous month's release. If there are two directories that are valid for your estimated drop date, we recommend using the newer valid (Active) directories, but you can also use the previous month's directories (in Outgoing status). If Presort is selecting the directories automatically, the newer valid (Active) directories will be used. If those directories are not available, Presort will use the previous month's (Outgoing) directories. If your job contains multiple estimated drop dates that span over two consecutive months, the directories for the earlier month (in Outgoing status) are the only directories that are valid for your mailing. If you are preparing a mailing with an estimated drop date that falls in the upcoming month (in the Notification phase), both the upcoming month's directories (in Notification status) or the current month's directories (in Active status) are valid. If Presort is selecting the directories automatically, the upcoming month's directories (in Notification status) will be used. If those directories are not available, Presort will use the current month's directories (In Active status). If at least one estimated drop date is near the beginning of the month, using the previous month's (Outgoing) directories provides flexibility in the actual date that you submit your mailing. You may submit your mailing either in the month prior to or in the month of your estimated drop date, because the previous month's (Outgoing) directories are valid for both the previous month and the current month. If Presort is selecting the directories automatically, the previous month s (Outgoing) directories will be used by default. If those directories are not available, Presort will use the current (Active) month's directories, but you will not be able to submit your mailing before the first of the month. If you prefer, you can use the current (Active) directories by specifying them yourself. Note: If Presort is selecting directories automatically and cannot find any that are valid for your mailing, or if you specify directories yourself and those directories cannot be found, you will receive an error. 19

22 The following example shows that for mailing dates in October, either Release 5 ("September directories") in Outgoing status or Release 6 ("October directories") in Active status can be used. For mailing dates in November, either Release 6 ("October directories") in Outgoing status or Release 7 ("November directories") in Active status can be used. A message with the range of dates during which you can submit your mailing (based on the directories used) will be printed on the job summary report under the Auxiliary Files section. Related topics: Presort can select the directories automatically You can select the directories yourself About estimated drop dates In Presort, the mail induction date is referred to as the estimated drop date, which determines the directories that should be used. For mailers who drop ship, the estimated drop date is the day the mailing is unloaded from the truck at the USPS entry facility. The mail verification date is the date that the USPS verifies and accepts the mailing. For mailers who do not drop ship, the mail verification date and estimated drop date are the same. Every entry point must have an estimated drop date. The Estimated Drop Date parameter is located in the Entry Point Default and Entry Point Description blocks. 20

23 When Presort selects the directories automatically, generally the newest valid directories will be selected. In the cases of multiple estimated drop dates or estimated drop dates that fall at the beginning of the month, Presort may not use the newest directories by default. However, you can specify whichever directories you would like to use. See Which directories are valid for my mailing? for information on how the correct directories to use are determined. If at any time Presort cannot find the directories it's looking for, Presort will error. For every job, a message will be generated on the job summary report that indicates the valid dates for entering the mail, based on the directories used. Multiple estimated drop dates If all estimated drop dates are in one month (and at least one of the dates occurs after the seventh day of the month), Presort will use that month s (Active) directories. If that month's directories are not available, Presort will use the previous month s (Outgoing) directories. For example, if the estimated drop dates range from October 9 to October 15, Presort will use the October directories. If the October directories cannot be found, Presort will use the September directories. If Presort cannot find either set of directories, Presort will error. If the estimated drop dates are in two consecutive months, the only directories that are valid for all estimated drop dates are for the earlier month (the Outgoing directories). For example, if the estimated drop dates range from October 3 to November 13, the October directories are the only ones valid. If the October directories cannot be found, Presort will error. You can either change the estimated drop dates or verify that the valid directories are located in the folder entered in the USPS Presort Data Folder parameter. If the range of estimated drop dates spans more than two consecutive months, Presort will error. There is no single set of directories that is valid because directories are valid for only two months. Either reduce the range of dates to two consecutive months at most, or divide the job into smaller jobs with ranges of entry dates that span two consecutive months at most. Estimated drop dates at the beginning of the month If there are any estimated drop dates that fall within the first seven days of the month, Presort will use the directories for the previous (Outgoing) month. This is done in case you may want to submit your mailing before the first of the month. The directories are valid for both the previous month (Outgoing) and the month that the estimated drop dates fall in (Active). You will still have the remainder of the month to submit your mailing before the directories used expire. 21

24 For example, if all of the estimated drop dates fall between October 1 and October 7, Presort will use the September (Outgoing) directories automatically, even if the October (Active) directories are available. If the directories from September (Outgoing) cannot be found, then Presort will use the October (Active) directories, and a warning will be generated during verification about not entering the mail too early. If no valid directories can be found, Presort will error. You may specify the directories for that month (the Active directories) yourself if you would like. See You can select the directories yourself for more information. Presort will allow the Active directories to be used. However, a warning will be generated during verification about not entering the mail too early, because the directories used will not be valid until the first day of that month. If the estimated drop dates are all within the same month and they fall both before and after the seventh day of the month, Presort will use that month s (Active) directories and a warning will be generated during verification about not entering the mail too early. If that month's (Active) directories are not available, Presort will use the previous month s (Outgoing) directories. A message will be printed on the job summary indicating the valid dates for entering the mail based on the directories used; if the entry dates are late in the month, Presort may generate a warning during verification about making sure the mail gets entered before those earlier directories used expire. If no valid directories can be found, Presort will error. For example, if the estimated drop dates range from August 3 to August 13, Presort will use the August (Active) directories. A warning will be generated during verification about not entering the mail too early (before August 1). If the August (Active) directories cannot be found, Presort will use the July (Outgoing) directories. If neither the current or previous months' directories can be found, Presort will error. If you would prefer that Presort use the previous (Outgoing) month's directories in case there is a chance you may want to enter your mail before August 1, you can specify these directories yourself. See You can select the directories yourself for more information. Estimated drop dates that fall near the end of the directories' effective period If there are estimated drop dates that fall within the last 14 days of a given month and the directories used will expire at the end of that month, a warning will be generated during verification reminding you to enter your mail before the directories used expire. For example, if the estimated drop dates range from August 10 to Sept 30, Presort will use the August (Active) directories, a warning will be generated during verification reminding you to enter your mail before October 1. If the August (Active) directories cannot be found, Presort will error. Related Topics: Setting up multiple entry points in Views 22

25 Removing expired directories As you install monthly directories, the folder you are storing them in may get cluttered after several months. There can be up to six files per monthly directory release for Presort. Directory files are uniquely named for each month, so they are not overwritten when you store new directories. Presort will not delete any expired directories, but you can manually delete them if you would like. We suggest deleting expired directories on a regular basis, such as when you install a new service pack or at the beginning of the year. As long as you always have at least the three most recent sets of directories (Notification, Active, and Outgoing), you should not have any issues. There is no harm in keeping previous directories on your system. They are not very large and do not take up much room. Related topics: Storing directories Directory lifecycle Which directories are valid for my mailing? Setting up multiple entry points in Presort Views The advantage of using Presort Views to set up entry point descriptions is that Presort will generate a list valid entry points for you when you are creating entry point descriptions. If you set up the entry point descriptions in the job file, you need to know which entry points are valid and which ones you want to use. After you have created all of your entry point descriptions, you will need to verify that the entry point description blocks are in the right order in the job file to maximize your entry discounts. See "How the software assigns mail pieces to entry points" in the Presort User Guide for more information. How Presort Views generates valid entry points When you are creating entry point descriptions in Views, Presort uses the estimated drop date you entered for that entry point description, plus all other estimated drop dates in the job, to determine the directories to use to generate the entry points valid for the entry point description you are currently creating. Note: If you enter an estimated drop date in the Entry Point Defaults window and leave this parameter blank for all entry point descriptions, Presort will determine the directories to use based on the default estimated drop date and use those directories to generate the entry points valid for all entry point descriptions in the job. When setting up multiple entry points (See "Multiple entry points" in the Presort User Guide in Views and you are letting Presort choose the directories automatically, and you enter an estimated drop date in each entry point description rather than one in the entry point defaults, the order in which you create the entry point descriptions is important. 23