EDL and ATLAS Training

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EDL and ATLAS Training

• Daryl Hamilton, Program Manager
• Peter Yeung

Pacific Area July, 2005
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Two-Day Agenda

• Day 1
• Module A Intro to Intelligent Mail, EDL, and
  ATLAS
• Module B Label Change Process
• Module C Hardware and Software Enhancements
• Module D EDL / ATLAS Actions for Success
• Module E Implementation and Timetable
• Break for Lunch
• Module F Using ATLAS
• Day 2
• Module F Using ATLAS (cont.)
• Module G Being an EDL/ATLAS Resource in Your
  Facility

3
Module A

• Intro to Intelligent Mail, EDL, and ATLAS

4
Introduction

• The Problem USPS is
• Losing its competitive advantage
• Facing more competition in the marketplace
• Entering a new market with new business trends
  emerging.
• The Solution A new 24-Digit Label is part of
  the Intelligent Mail Program, designed to help
  the USPS
• Enhance market share
• Increase competitiveness
• Improve customer service.
• Today we will discuss how to get there from here.

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Mail Visibility
Module A
Mail Visibility is a central component of the
Transformation Plan to modernize the Postal
Service.
Vision
Allow end-to-end visibility into the mail stream
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Intro to Intelligent Mail
Module A

• What is Intelligent Mail (IM)?
• The addition of information-rich codes on mail
  and the capture and conveyance of information
  about each mail piece and aggregate of mail
  pieces (unit loads) in time for Postal workers
  and customers to favorably influence their
  respective operations
• Intelligent Mail Objectives
• To help the Postal Service improve its
  operational efficiencies, enhance its service
  performance, and improve safety
• To allow USPS to uniquely identify customers
  mail and gain end-to-end visibility into the mail
  stream

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Uniquely Identify All Types of Mail
Module A

• The 4-State Barcode
• Majority of mailers can easily convert to the
  4-State barcode
• Carries 2.5 times as much data as the current
• POSTNET code
• Combines sorting and tracking information in
• a single code
• Is expected to improve read rates for USPS
• Information-Based Indicia (IBI)
• IBI code uniquely identifies each mail piece and
  contains
• information that can be used to identify the
  mailer
• Intended for revenue assurance, but can be used
  for tracking
• Enhanced Distribution Label (EDL)
• A new label format that will be used on all
  trays, tubs, sacks
• Each label will be unique (ultimately with a
  24-digit barcode),
• allowing improved visibility into the mail
  stream

Height Modulated
Sample 4-State Barcode
Information-Based Indicia
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Develop Enabling Infrastructure IMD
Module A

• Intelligent Mail Device (IMD)
• Replaces end-of-life, hand-held MDCD scanners
• Has signature capture capability
• Can read 4-CB and IBI barcodes allowing the USPS
  to perform Special Services that require carrier
  scan with single barcode on the mailpiece
• Enhanced capability to read red ink

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Develop Enabling Infrastructure Equipment MPI
Module A

• Sorter Camera Technology
• Can read Intelligent Mail codes
• Deploying sorter software that enables code
  processing
• Will be more than 95 complete by Fall 2005 with
  completion in early 2006
• Mail Processing Infrastructure (MPI)
• Handle more data necessary for codes like IBI
• Upgrade Cameras on AFCS to Face and Read IBI
• Current timeline has completion set for mid-2007

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Enhance Address Quality
Module A

• What is Address Quality?
• A complete, accurate and current address. All
  mail requires a valid address to complete the
  delivery service. Poor address quality diminishes
  the Postal Services ability to deliver mail.
• A way to maximize the value of mail by ensuring
  it gets to the right person.
• A prerequisite for timely, cost-effective,
  delivery of mail.
• Intelligent Mail Systems to Enhance Address
  Quality
• Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS)
• Delivery Point Validation (DPV)
• NCOALink
• Address Change Services (ACS)

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Intelligent Mail Benefits
Module A

• Evolution in Postal technology
• Helps business customers manage their resources
  and reduce costs
• Provides real-time access to processing and
  delivery information
• Reduces operating and marketing expenses
• Improves competitiveness of USPS

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Surface Visibility
Module A

• Surface Visibility is a way of tracking
  inter-plant mail volume by scanning mail at the
  tray, tub, and sack level.

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Surface Visibility (cont.)
Module A

• Surface Visibility Implementation
• First sites to be activated Summer 2005
• Phase 1 covers 151 facilities, including 13 HASPs

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Module A

• Today, we are introducing an important
  Intelligent Mail program
• EDL / ATLAS

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Intro to EDL
Module A

• The Enhanced Distribution Label, EDL, is a new
  label format that will be used on all trays,
  tubs, and sacks
• Each label will be unique (ultimately with a
  24-digit barcode), allowing improved visibility
  into the mail stream
• Important readable information on the labels will
  be easier to see
• Unique labels will help determine where every
  individual tray, tub, and sack is shipped,
  including those that were misdirected

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Intro to EDL (cont.)
Module A

• The new label format was designed with
  recommendations from the field
• Input from all affected Postal organizations
• Surveyed facilities regarding font sizes and
  placement of important information
• Centralized flexible management so that label
  changes can be implemented easily

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EDL in Mail Visibility
Intelligent Mail Planning and Standard
Module A

• Unique identification at all levels of
  aggregation is the foundation of total mail
  visibility

Surface Visibility (SV) Nesting and Scanning
Unique Mailpiece ID (4-State, IBI)
24-Digit Label
24-Digit Label
Unique Mailpiece ID (4-State, IBI)
SV Scanning and De-nesting
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Intro to ATLAS
Module A

• The Automated Tray Label Assignment System,
  ATLAS, is a label production system. It will
• Replace DOS-based PASSPORT, ODLS, and other
  independent labeling systems
• Old PASSPORT systems are being phased out
• Produce and manage the new labels
• Standardize all tray, tub, and sack labeling
  throughout the network
• Reside on all label-producing Mail Processing
  Equipment

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Intro to ATLAS (cont.)
Module A
ATLAS Components

• ARTEMIS (ATLAS Resource Transaction and Exchange
  Management Server)
• National Server that provides a single point of
  administration and distribution of label
  production information, such as National EDL Site
  List, CIN Tables, Labeling Lists, as well as
  ATLAS-related information

• WebATLAS (Facility Web Server)
• The Web-based version of ATLAS is ACE compliant,
  so it can be run on any ACE machine throughout
  the Postal Service. ACE compliance will allow
  Postal facilities to use existing systems located
  anywhere in the facility to produce or order
  labels.

• ATLAS Software Wedge (MPE upgrades)
• Not a physical Wedge, but a small, transparent
  software component that is loaded on all
  label-producing Mail Processing Equipment (MPE)
  as part of normal software release cycle. It has
  no operational impact. It allows the MPE to
  produce EDLs.

• ARES (ATLAS Regional Exchange Server)
• Hosted on the facility-based NGTC (Next
  Generation Transaction Concentrator), ARES
  receives and distributes information updates from
  ARTEMIS to the rest of the facility, including to
  all MPE loaded with the ATLAS Software Wedge.

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Benefits of EDL and ATLAS
Module A

• The EDL / ATLAS program will make us more
  competitive in the marketplace
• Customers will be able to track the progress of
  their trays and sacks
• Added security because mail can be traced back to
  its source
• More efficient transportation

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• Now its time to watch a recently produced video
  describing the EDL/ATLAS program.

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Module B

• Label Change Process

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Label Change Process
Module B

• All Postal facilities currently produce 10-digit
  labels
• During the transition to the new EDL, each
  facility will print a combination of three
  labels
• Modified 10-digit labels
• A combination label that has two barcodes, one
  10-digit and one 24-digit (some human readable
  text may be slightly smaller than the final
  24-digit label due to the two barcodes)
• The final label format, with just one 24-digit
  barcode

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Label Change Process
Module B
Old Label
New 10-Digit Label
Transitional 10/24-Digit Label
Final 24-Digit Label
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Label Change Process
Module B
Sort Program Name
Date Printed
Time Printed
MPE
Bin Number
Destination ZIP Code
Display/ Print Line 1
Air Stop Code
Origin Line
CIN Text/ Print Line 2
Sort Program Name
Destination ZIP Code
MPE
Date Printed
Time Printed
Old Label
Delivery Day
CIN Text/ Print Line 2
Destination 5-Digit ZIP Code 3-Digit CIN
1-Digit Delivery Day 1-Digit MPC 22031 266
5 1
Origin Line
Bin Number
Destination 5-Digit ZIP Code 3-Digit CIN
1-Digit Label Source 6-Digit Mailer ID
3-Digit Optional Program Field 5-Digit Serial
Number 1-Digit label Type 22031 266 5
144544 311 00004 5
Delivery Day
Final 24-Digit Label
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Label Change Process
Module B

• ATLAS produces unique labels on demand based on
• Originating/Destinating (OD) pairs
• Mailer ID
• Machine ID
• Serial Number
• Various Others (Depends on Flow)

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EDL Label Flow Barcode Summary
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EDL Label Flows
Module B

• Different labels for different flows finally
  making labels match the way the plant flows
• Mailer to USPS

Final 24-Digit Label
Old Label
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EDL Label Flows (cont.)
Module B

• Intra-facility
• ISS to OSS
• Operation to Operation

Final 24-Digit Label
Old Label
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EDL Label Flows (cont.)
Module B

• Inter-facility
• Plant to Plant
• Plant to Delivery Unit
• Plant to Exchange Office/ISC
• Delivery Unit to Plant

Old Label
Final 24-Digit Label
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Label Change Process
Module B

• Change Is as Easy as 1 2 3
• Phase 1 Facility-wide modification of material
  handling and mail processing systems Outgoing
  mail flows at Surface Visibility sites. Pre-beta
  testing / software training
• Phase 2 Continue facility modifications for all
  mail flows at Surface Visibility sites. Continue
  software training
• Phase 3 National deployment to all NGTC sites
• Note that the phases need not follow a sequence

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Module C

• Hardware and Software Enhancements

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Hardware and Software Enhancements
Module C
In FY05, expect five hardware and software
changes related to EDL and ATLAS

• Software ATLAS Wedge software component added to
  facility-based MPE
• Servers ATLAS Regional Exchange Server (ARES)
  hosted on NGTC (Next Generation Transaction
  Concentrator) and ATLAS Web Server (WebATLAS)
• Printers MPE printer changes (Microcom 410/426
  replacement)
• Workstation user interface
• Scanners
• Material handling system scanners will be updated
  to read tray labels
• Intelligent Mail Devices (IMD)

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Hardware and Software Enhancements
Module C
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Hardware and Software Enhancements
Module C

• Software
• ATLAS Wedge software component added to
  facility-based MPE
• Allows for on-demand production of EDL
• Installed on letter, flat, parcel, and sack
  sorting MPE that print labels, including
• DBCS / PARS
• DIOSS / CIOSS (rolled in as their schedules
  permit)
• AFSM100 / UFSM1000 / ATHS
• APPS / SPBS w/ PC104 Mod

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Hardware and Software Enhancements
Module C

• Servers
• Application Server is hosted locally on the
  facility-based NGTC (Next Generation Transaction
  Concentrator)
• ATLAS Regional Exchange Server (ARES)
• Collects information on each unique tray label
  produced
• Receives and distributes system updates to all of
  the MPE ATLAS Wedge Systems within the facility
• Uses existing sort plan data
• WebATLAS (Facility Web Server)
• Provides ACE-compliant user interface for batch
  label production
• Collects information on each unique tray label
  produced
• Uses existing sort plan data
• Together, ARES, WebATLAS, and the Wedge component
  constitute the ATLAS system

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Hardware and Software Enhancements
Module C

• National Servers
• ARTEMIS (ATLAS Resource Transaction and Exchange
  Management Information System)
• Centralized National System for controlling
• Label information -- labeling lists, CIN tables,
  barcode format
• Label layout / format
• Silent, transparent to Facility servers
•  
• THEA (Topeka Handling EDL/ATLAS Application)
• Allows Topeka LPC to take national EDL orders
• Allows Topeka LPC to produce EDL labels
•  
• GAEA (Global ATLAS External Application)
• Separate server for External Mail Users

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Hardware and Software Enhancements
Module C

• 3. Printers
• MPE Printer changes
• Microcom 410s replaced by backward-compatible
  Microcom 426 printers
• Microcom 410 printers are failing at a rate of
  roughly 5,000 per year or 33 of all existing 410
  printers need to be replaced annually.
• Initially targeting outgoing secondary MPE
• ATLAS allows other printers (e.g., Monarch
  Paxar, Sato, etc.) to generate improved-quality
  labels
• Enables label standardization and ensures
  long-term compliance
• Optimizes human readable information
• Generates more readable barcode
• Actions for Deployment
• MTSC will send out Maintenance Work Orders (MWOs)
  for the Microcom 426 printer replacement
• Facilities must order printers from Topeka
• Replace machine-side 410 printers with new
  Microcom 426 printers during normal maintenance

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Differences Between Old Printers and New Printers
Module C
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Hardware and Software Enhancements
Module C

• ATLAS Workstation Interface
• WebATLAS available to internal audiences on
  ACE-compliant workstations (including ATLAS
  workstations)
• Because the Web-based version of ATLAS is ACE
  compliant, it can be run on any ACE machine
  throughout the Postal Service.
• ACE compliance will allow Postal facilities to
  use existing systems located anywhere in the
  facility to produce or order labels.

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Hardware and Software Enhancements
Module C

• Scanners
• As a result of the change to EDL and ATLAS
• All material handling system tray label scanners
  will be updated to read the new labels passively.
  New features
• Communications options include Ethernet,
  Profibus, DeviceNet
• Power to process near-zero package spacing and
  multiple barcodes per package at high conveyor
  speeds
• Custom configuration allows for more than 3,000
  scans per second
• Windows-based configuration software
• Integrated mounting features
• New, hand-held scanners (Intelligent Mail
  Devices, or IMD) will be deployed to the field to
  read the new EDL, the 4-State barcode, and the
  2-D barcode.
• IMD replaces current Mobile Data Collection
  Device (MDCD)

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One more thing Sack Racks and Adapters
Module C

• One-inch sack labels will not be supported by
  ATLAS. However, two-inch holder adapters are
  available for the sack racks and the plastic
  sacks. MTESCs distribute these plastic sacks with
  the two-inch holder adapter already attached to
  the drawstring on the sack.
• The newer plastic sacks come equipped with the
  two-inch plastic label holder already affixed to
  the body of the sack. These sacks are available
  through your MTE stock room.

Example of the two-inch sack rack dual label
holder (NSN 9905-01-365-2124 PSIN 07100)
Example of a plastic sack with the two-inch label
holder adapter attached via the sack drawstring
(NSN 7530-05-000-4324 PSIN 1039A). These
adapters have been designed to hold both the
one-inch and the two-inch labels.
Example of the newer plastic sacks with the
two-inch plastic label holder, similar to those
on the trays, already affixed to the body of the
sack.
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Module D

• EDL / ATLAS Actions for Success

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Actions for Success
Module D

• Ensure that transition to EDL / ATLAS is
  successful
• Use new labels correctly
• Follow existing SOPs for applying labels
• Discard all unused labels
• Remove and discard all labels once a tray, tub,
  or sack has been processed
• Replace lost or damaged labels with new ones
• Produce labels as they are needed

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Actions for Success
Module D

• Follow existing SOPs and use the new ATLAS
  Web-based application
• Exercise two options to print labels within a
  facility
• Use WebATLAS label production system
• Use Mail Processing Equipment
• Use WebATLAS for label production orders through
  Topeka
• Order labels online within ATLAS
• Transition from paper-based to Web-based label
  order

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Toolkit Training Aids
Module D

• Use available training tools
• Each facility will receive
• Access to Web-based training
• Online Help system, which provides just-in-time
  instructions for completing common ATLAS tasks
• Service talk scripts to present to employees one
  week, then one day before the rollout
• Posters describing the benefits of EDL/ATLAS, the
  label transition process, and instructions for
  producing on-demand labels
• Pocket cards of the labels for employee quick
  reference
• Train-the-trainer guide with tips on presenting
  information about EDL/ATLAS to employees

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Toolkit Training Aids (Cont.)
Module D

• Additional facility tools
• Eye-catching baseball hats for facility ATLAS
  Coordinators
• Frequently asked question sheets and brochures
• Banner(s)

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Module E

• Implementation and Timetable

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Implementation and Timetable
Module E

• Beta-tests will be completed in early Summer,
  2005
• EDL/ATLAS deployment begins in Summer, 2005
• Targeted to Surface Visibility facilities first
• Installed and available for use when NGTC is
  deployed and activated
• User access to WebATLAS granted upon completion
  of training
• Rollout of EDL / ATLAS will be complete in Q4,
  2005

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Implementation and Timetable (Cont.)
Module E

• Total System Integration Strategy
• Adjustments to all Material Handling Equipment to
  read and process new EDL
• Replacement of machine-side 410 printers with new
  426 printers
• Installation of Next Generation Transaction
  Concentrator (NGTC) applications, which includes
  the ATLAS server
• Installation of ATLAS Wedge on all label printing
  Mail Processing Equipment (in stages e.g.,
  letters, flats, parcels)

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Implementation and Timetable
Module E

• Mailers Transition and Timetable
• Mailer Testing
• Third quarter 2005
• ATT and DST Outputs Solutions
• Mailer implementation separate
• Own external server Global ATLAS External
  Application (GAEA)
• Own label formats/types
• ATLAS will support all existing label-production
  SOPs
• On-demand/batch
• Topeka Label Production Center (LPC)
• Vendor-based production
• Mailer-based production
• NOTE USPS is not encouraging discussing EDL /
  ATLAS with customers at this point

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Daryl Hamilton daryl.s.hamilton_at_usps.gov(703)
280-7293 Peter Yeungpeter.p.yeung_at_usps.gov(70
3) 280-7041
Module E
Questions?