In the last issue, we discussed the Mail.dat specification and answered some basic questions about what it is, some of its benefits, etc. In this issue we are going to take a similar look at the latest specification from IDEAlliance: Mail.XML. The information presented here will again be in a Q&A format and will provide a basic understanding of the Mail.XML specification and its purpose. A more detailed article, focusing on business communication strategy and services architecture, will be printed in the next edition.

What is XML? XML stands for Extensible Markup Language, and is often defined as “a human-readable way of describing data or structured data.” It also means that you can extend a specification with fields — without necessarily impacting your communication software. XML is the current standard of communication between two or more computers over the internet and is the Business-to-Business communication and automation standard. Today, almost all eCommerce occurs through XML.

What is Mail.XML? Mail.XML, which really began several years ago as the Transaction Messaging specification, is an XML-based communication specification developed by the IDEAlliance in collaboration with the USPS to automate business processes and communication wherever possible. Mail.XML is a messaging protocol that enables two-way communication between parties in the mailing supply chain and is designed to increase efficiency and lower costs by removing many manual data entry processes and enabling quick, near real-time communication between business partners. The core focus of Mail.XML is light-weight, business-function-specific communication where computers are “talking” with each other.

What information is Mail.XML communicating? Mail.XML uses the comprehensive Mail.dat database to communicate mailing related information and specific transactions between members of the mailing supply chain, i.e., buying of services for printing, manufacturing, and transportation processes. In addition, the information communicated to and from the USPS supports mail verification, acceptance, and induction processes.

What types of messages does Mail.XML support? Mail.XML currently supports container-based scheduling, pick up and drop off business processes, as well as identifying different business entities responsible for performing different services such as quality of mailing, address correction, and delivery confirmation on a mailing. Mail.XML also supports the communication of eDoc with the PostalOne! system.

Does the USPS currently support Mail.XML? Yes. The original Transaction Messaging specification has been supported by the USPS since 2004. The initial focus was FAST appointment scheduling and automation processes. The new version of Mail.XML (version 6.0) supports eDoc requirements for the Intelligent Mail Full-Service option, as well as the Full-Service data feedback requirements from the USPS to the industry.

The USPS is taking a phased approach to the Mail.XML version 6.0 implementation: In May 2009, the USPS will support all transportation and appointments needs for the Full-Service option. It will also provide the capability for mailers to receive ACS Change Of Address (COA) and Nixie data, as well as Start-the-Clock and Container Scan data. In November 2009, the USPS plans to support all Full-Service eDoc functionality through Mail.XML version 6.0.

What types of messages will be supported with version 6.0? The following types of messages will be supported in Mail.XML version 6.0:
   –Transportation and Scheduling 
      Truck Availability for certain facilities and pick-up requests
      Scheduling requests and responses for the USPS FAST system
      Joint-Scheduling (multi-party) communication between the industry and from the industry to the USPS
      Ability to download Customer Supplier Agreements for Origin-entered mailings
   –Full-Service eDoc 
      Qualification reports
      Container and Bundle reports
      All Postage Statements currently supported through Mail.dat
      Ability to request Mailer IDs and CRIDs from the USPS
      Third-party data distribution for ACS COA, ACS Nixie, Confirm and Start-the-Clock data
   –Full-Service Data Feedback 
      ACS – Change of address and Nixies 
      Start-the-Clock
      Container Scans

What are some of the benefits of Mail.XML? Mail.XML is designed for two-way conversational communications that occur in near real-time. This increase in speed of communicating allows for more efficient business processes and can help you lower your cost of doing business. Also, Mail.XML can let you automate certain business functions because when you know all the “conflict situations” and you store the answers or triggers for each situation in your software, then the software is resolving most of the conflicts, thereby minimizing human interaction wherever possible and increasing the speed of business decision-making and improving the quality of services to everyone within the industry.

Will Mail.XML replace Mail.dat? NO. Mail.dat and Mail.XML are different specifications, and Mail.XML will not replace Mail.dat. These specifications currently exist side-by-side and will continue to do so for many years to come. (Remember – Mail.dat provides a storage/database model for mailing information while Mail.XML enables two-way business-function specific communication between members of the supply chain.) As mentioned earlier, the next issue of this publication will have a more detailed article devoted to Mail.XML and the benefits of Services Oriented Architecture (SOA). In the meantime, for more information about both Mail.dat and Mail.XML, you can visit the IDEAlliance website at www.idealliance.org.