Latest Changes to
Postage $aver Pro and Lite

We've updated Postage $aver Pro and Lite to keep up with the latest postal changes, and made some software improvements. Here are the details. Note that each update includes all previous updates, so you only need to download and install the latest. Get the update.


Postal Updates:

• The USPS January rate changes, effective January 22, are included in this update.
  
  
• USPS has issued new postage statement forms for use on and after January 22, and those forms are included in this update.
  
  
• USPS is changing the way that flats are prepared for Marketing Mail and Periodicals. For Marketing Mail flats, tubs ("flat trays") will be used instead of sacks. For Periodical Class flats, tubs will be required. Sacks will no longer be an option. Those changes, effective January 22, are included in this update. See What Bulk Mailers Need to Know about the New USPS "Flat Tray" Rule
  
  
• USPS has made routine changes to the postal routing lists. The revised lists are included in this update.

Software Improvements:

• The software now checks to make sure the state abbreviation is valid, for better rejection of foreign addresses that have two-digit state or province codes.
  
  
• On the column identification screens, in the dropdown menus that show column names and data, the software will now remove any leading spaces so that right-justified column names or data will not "disappear" off the right edge of each dropdown box.
  
  
• For Mac users, the file is now a "universal binary" so that it will run as a native application on Apple Silicon and Intel based Macs.
  
  
• For Mac users, we improved the screen resolution to take full advantage of Mac Retina and other high resolution screens.
  
  
• We fixed a typo on the sack tags for Bound Printed Matter.
  
  
• We fixed two bugs affecting the sorting of Marketing Mail Nonmachinable Letters.
  
  
• We fixed a bug where the number and type of containers was sometimes missing from the Mail Preparation Instructions in the Mac version.
  
  
• We fixed a bug where a system warning appeared if a non-numeric character was entered in the piece weight field on the Mail Categories screen.
  

Postal Updates:

• Updated for November and December USPS routing changes.

Software Improvements:

• Postage $aver now allows EMM trays to be selected for First Class postcards to accomodate cards up to 6" tall.
  
  
• We slightly reduced the number of pieces needed to fill an EMM tray, since those trays are shorter at the bottom than their "official" length.
  
  
• We removed an incorrect full-service discount for Bound Printed Matter mailings of fewer than 300 pieces. USPS only allows the full-service discount for Bound Printer Matter mailings when the mailing has at least 300 pieces. This error caused a postage discrepancy of no more than 30¢ total over an entire mailing (1/10¢ per piece).
  
  
• We installed a workaround to fix a problem printing postage statements that was caused by a bug in a recent release of the Mac operating system.
  
  
• We fixed a bug that affected the processing of some dBase (.dbf) mailing list files.
  
  
• We corrected a bug that caused a sorting error when preparing some mailings where ADC or AADC trays are allowed only when full. This affected only some mailings of First Class Presort flats, First Class Presort non-barcoded letters, and Marketing Mail non-machinable letters.
  

Postal Updates:

• USPS has discontinued its designated "Flats Sequencing System" (FSS) sorting facilities, moving the FSS sorting equipment back into general sorting facilities. We have removed FSS sorting options from Postage $aver. You will no longer see the term "FSS" on sack tags or reports (except that USPS has not yet removed it from postage statement forms). In general, this should not make much difference to your sorting or pricing.
  
  
• Updated for September and October USPS routing changes.

Software Improvements:

• Postage $aver now supports the 3¢ postage discount for nonpresorted First Class letters when using a permit imprint (aka "indicia"). Minimum quantity is 200 pieces. No barcoding or sorting is required, although you can add a barcode for Informed Visibility tracking or address correction options. You do not need CASS or NCOA, nor pay the annual First Class presort fee. Preparing this mailing without full-service barcodes will not affect your eligibility for the annual fee waiver.
  
  
• Added an option to start each new tray or sack on a new page when printing labels.
  
  
• When printing addresses on large labels that include your indicia, the indicia will not print on labels for rejected addresses that should not be included in the mailing. (These labels are printed, optionally, at the end of the list.)
  
  
• When printing addresses directly on the mail piece, the software will now remember page size and orientation settings. (Windows version).
  
  
• When Postage Saver asks if you are using barcodes (on the first screen of the Preparation Wizard), if you check "some of each", the full-service barcoding option will be grayed out since combined full-service/nonbarcoded mailings cannot be submitted through the USPS Postal Wizard.
  
  
• Added instructions to the Mail Preparation Report for submitting mailing information using the USPS Postal Wizard as required for full-service barcoded mailings.
  
  
• Corrected a bug where zips with leading 0s could sometimes be incorrectly included in DDU pricing.
  
  
• Corrected a bug that sometimes caused domestic offshore mail to be incorrectly sorted. Special rules apply to such mail.
  

Postal Updates:

• Updated for USPS rate changes effective for mail sent on or after July 10, 2022.
  
  
• Updated for new postage statement forms for use for mail sent on or after July 10, 2022.
  
  
• Updated for July and August USPS routing changes.

Software Improvements:

• Re-arranged Periodicals rates screen to show lower container rates for trays vs sacks, and elimination of zone-based rates.

Postal Updates:

• Updated for May and June USPS routing changes required for mail sent on or after May 1, 2022.

Software Improvements:

• The drop-down lists on the Column Matching screen now automatically get wider so as not chop off the contents of a column, to make it easier to correctly identify columns with similar titles.
  

Postal Updates:

• USPS has changed the barcodes for political mail and ballot mail when used with certain address correction options. This update includes those changes.
  
  
• Updated for February and March USPS routing changes required for mail sent on or after March 1, 2022.

Software Improvements:

• We improved the way the software determines whether missing leading zeros in zip codes and delivery point codes are errors or are consistent across the mailing list file.
  

We hope you find these improvements helpful. Many of "our" best ideas come from our users, so please don't hesitate to let us know if you have suggestions or questions.

Thanks!