Chapter 4 Our Operations
Phase 1 of FSS will deploy 100 systems to 32 sites. Preparation for the new system includes equipment relocation and renovation, and expansion in multiple facilities. Space to accommodate FSS equipment is also included in six new facility projects. All construction projects are on schedule with space completed in 16 sites to date. An ergonomic stowage and retrieval system has been designed for delivery vehicles receiving FSS flats, with deployment set for 2009. An FSS optimization effort is underway in Northern Virginia to streamline current operations and reduce manual processing of flat mail. Lean Six Sigma tools are being applied to standardize FSS practices prior to national implementation.
All major FSS milestones are being closely monitored to ensure successful implementation. Area FSS program managers and District FSS coordinators have been established for all Phase 1 sites. Comprehensive hands-on training, known as FSS University, was provided to several hundred key personnel. Online training will be used to continue to provide field training and support. To support ongoing maintenance and training, two FSS units have been installed at the National Center for Employee Development in Norman, OK.
A new initiative, Automating Flat Mail Preparation Technology, is underway to further reduce manual labor costs in support of the flats automated end-to-end strategy. This system lifts flats bundles from pallets, cuts and disposes of strapping, and places the flat mail in trays for direct induction into the AFSM 100s or FSS. A proof-of-concept test was completed in September 2008. Plans are being formulated to develop a production version of the system.
Parcel And Bundle Automation
The Automated Package Processing System (APPS) automates package and bundle distribution while providing greater processing capacity using automatic induction, singulation, and address recognition. Additional recognition improvement software is planned for deployment in 2009. The economic viability of purchasing additional APPS equipment is currently under review. In the meantime, existing APPS equipment is being redeployed as needed to optimize capacity; eight systems were redeployed in 2008.
Postal Automated Redirection System
The Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS) identifies and redirects forwardable mail during processing, a significant advance over legacy systems that required forwardable mail to be taken “off line” to have new addresses applied. PARS deployment was completed in September 2007 to 283 sites. Given the reduced workload, 16 Computerized Forwarding System (CFS) sites were consolidated this year, reducing the total number of sites from a high of 215 to 96. The volume of mail processed on PARS increased 26 percent, and now stands at more than 2.5 billion pieces each year. The annual savings from PARS reached $270 million in 2008.
Continuing PARS software enhancements with significantly higher recognition rates and improved system performance will further increase efficiency. The next release is expected in 2009 and should yield another 3 to 5 percent increase in the PARS interception rate.
PARS upgrades to the existing Advanced Facer Canceller Systems are expected to be completed in December. A pilot study and field test were successfully completed to automate the computer forwarding process by providing for interception and redirection of flat mail. The Flat PARS system uses the AFSM 100 as the base platform. Technical objectives were achieved and work to reduce costs for this proposed program continues.
Remote Encoding system
The Remote Encoding System (RES) is a developmental program that replaces the obsolete Image Processing Subsystem. Mail is processed on letter sorting equipment that reads barcodes and addresses electronically. Mail that cannot be read will be processed through RES. It presents images to employees who read the addresses and type in the results, thereby reducing manual handling. The design phase for this next generation of equipment is complete and the program is in the test phase. Field testing and evaluation are scheduled for 2009. A production program is planned for 2010.
Mail History Tracking System
The Mail History Tracking System (MHTS) is a Web-based application that assesses if individual mailpieces with identification tags are likely to meet on-time performance targets. The identification tag is tracked from the origin (cancellation) to DPS processing at the destinating plant. This data helps target and correct the root causes that lead to service failures.
The MHTS application provides a proxy for overnight, 2-day and 3-day service for all letters containing an ID tag. This feature also measures service to all ZIP Codes. To prepare for expanded service reporting, MHTS data are being used for diagnostics. This new information helps managers to identify improvement opportunities in areas not previously measured. Efforts are underway to include Mail.dat information provided by the mailer to identify the mailer and serve as a start-the-clock indicator for service measurement.
Integrated Data System
The Integrated Data System (IDS) is the resource for collecting and distributing mailpiece, tray, and container tracking data, as well as status data from all automated processing and material handling equipment within a facility. It allows multiple applications to leverage collected data to better manage equipment performance. The IDS provides the infrastructure for the management of in-process distribution operations, machine performance, and critical maintenance events.