Retail Shipping Associates Supplier News

DHL Launches International Trade Initiative for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

RS News — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:39:05 GMT

DHL Launches International Trade Initiative for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Networking Events, Online Knowledge Portal and Service Enhancements Geared to Promote SME Business Growth

PLANTATION, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DHL, the world’s leading logistics company, has launched a comprehensive international trade initiative in the U.S. to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) overcome the challenges they face when performing business globally. DHL offers networking events, website resources, and a recently expanded U.S. operational network to help SMEs take advantage of DHL’s international expertise.

“DHL is the ideal partner to help SMEs survive and thrive in an increasingly global economy”

.SMEs are a dynamic and fast-growing part of the U.S. economy, employing tens of millions of workers and according to the U.S. Government creating the majority of new private sector jobs within the past 15 years.

As part of an overall effort to support this important driver of the economy, DHL this week kicks off its Business Across Borders event series in partnership with Inc., aimed at providing owners and executives of SMEs expert industry information on conducting business globally. These events bring together DHL logistics experts and leaders from some of America’s fastest-growing international companies to distill their expertise and equip SME leaders with the tools to grow their business internationally. The event series is interactive and includes panel discussions, extended question and answer sessions and networking opportunities.

“DHL is the ideal partner to help SMEs survive and thrive in an increasingly global economy,” said Christine Nashick, Vice President of Marketing for DHL Express. “Through our partnership with Inc., DHL can offer expertise from outside experts in international business as well as tap our own in-depth understanding of local markets based on unmatched worldwide coverage.”

SMEs can also access many new resources through DHL, including a dedicated small business portal and website – www.DHLsmallbusiness.com – that offers online tools, reference guides and special offers. The small business portal serves as a database for sharing knowledge, best practices and other topics of interest to SME business owners. Additionally, DHL’s Business Across Borders e-newsletter in collaboration with Inc. provides shippers with the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in a global marketplace.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses located in rural areas often have difficulty accessing needed technology, transportation, and services, effectively creating barriers of entry for these businesses and making it more difficult for them to compete with urban small and large businesses. This year, DHL expanded its U.S. footprint in rural areas to make it more convenient for SMEs to access its international shipping services. DHL has improved delivery transit times to nearly 1,700 more remote areas in the U.S. to enhance import services for these business shippers. Additionally, international shippers in hundreds of new areas will have access to DHL services for their exports.

Through its relationship with Retail Shipping Associates (RSA), DHL international express services are accessible at over 1,600 independently owned or franchised retail shipping center outlets that make up the DHL Authorized Shipping Center (DASC) network in the United States. These outlets also make it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to access DHL’s global express delivery network.

“With accelerating globalization creating a level playing field, entrepreneurial companies in the U.S. are well-positioned to take full opportunity to enter new markets to grow their companies,” said Bob LaPointe, President of Inc.

More information on DHL’s Business Across Borders event series, including registration, is located at http://www.dhlsmallbusiness.com/usa/resources/events.shtml.

Events start this month in New York City on July 21, followed by Miami (July 27), Chicago (July 29), San Francisco (August 5), Houston (Aug. 18), Los Angeles (Aug. 19), Philadelphia (Sept. 15), Boston (Sept. 16), Dallas (Sept. 21), Seattle (Sept. 23), Chicago (Oct. 6), New York (Oct. 7), Atlanta (Oct 13) and San Diego (Oct. 14).

UPS--Mother's Day Delivery Time Changes

RS News — Mon, 03 May 2010 08:30:14 GMT

UPS--Mother's Day Delivery Time Changes

Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 9. Due to the heavy shipping volume the day before Mother's Day, UPS is making an operational adjustment for Saturday, May 8, 2010. On that day, we will relax the UPS Next Day Air® delivery commit time by 90 minutes. For service areas which normally have a noon or 1:30 p.m. commit time on Saturday, deliveries will be made by 1:30 and 3:00 p.m., respectively. The commit time for UPS Next Day Air® Early AM® deliveries will remain unchanged.

We appreciate the business you entrust to UPS.

DHL Service Update Regarding Restricted Country Access Fees

RS News — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:01:50 GMT

DHL Service Update Regarding Restricted Country Access Fees
January 15, 2010

RSA has received recent questions regarding a change in DHL shipments to six embargoed countries (referred to as Restricted Access Countries—RAC)—specifically whether a $100 Restricted Access Country service fee would be charged in addition to the transportation charges for document and non-document shipments. The affected countries are; Cuba, Iran, Korea D.P.R (North Korea), Burma (Myanmar), Sudan and Syria.

As of today’s date and for the near term, there are no additional fees for shipping to these restricted countries. If you have been charged the $100 RAC fee in error, please email dasc.support@dhl.com with your account number, the specific waybill information, and DHL billing/invoice number, and we will expedite a refund or invoice adjustment.

Please be assured that RSA will broadcast any change to DHL delivery range or fee structure as it is made available.

RSA on behalf of DHL

DHL Service Update Regarding Restricted Country Access Fees

RS News — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:00:21 GMT

DHL Service Update Regarding Restricted Country Access Fees
January 15, 2010

RSA has received recent questions regarding a change in DHL shipments to six embargoed countries (referred to as Restricted Access Countries—RAC)—specifically whether a $100 Restricted Access Country service fee would be charged in addition to the transportation charges for document and non-document shipments. The affected countries are; Cuba, Iran, Korea D.P.R (North Korea), Burma (Myanmar), Sudan and Syria.

Please be assured that RSA will broadcast any change to DHL delivery range or fee structure as it is made available.

RSA on behalf of DHL

PC Synergy is Ready to Offer PostalMate Compatible with Advanced Benefits of Windows 7

RS News — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:22:15 GMT

PC Synergy offers PostalMate in both 32 and 64 bit operating systems with an infrastructure built on the future.

San Marcos, CA – 18 December 2009 – PC Synergy, the leading automation choice for retail shipping today announced PostalMate has earned the “Compatible with Windows 7” logo from Microsoft Corp. PC Synergy has developed PostalMate, which is compatible with Windows 7, providing an infrastructure, security, and stability to last well into the future. Advances in technology such as this will add to the productivity of the over 3000 retail shipping centers using PostalMate nationwide.

“PostalMate users expect a high level of stability and a system that will carry them through the lifespan of their store. PostalMate’s relationship with Microsoft allows our companies to work together to offer technology our customers can count on for the greatest stability and most advanced technology in the retail shipping industry,” said Larry Edwards, Vice President of Development, PC Synergy. “We feel that our inclusion in the “Compatible with Windows 7” logo program helps deliver significant value to the PostalMate user.”

Microsoft’s commitment to making life easier, works well with PC Synergy’s dedication to streamlined operations of the retail shipping center. By making sure that all software, printers and devices run readily and reliably, the “Compatible with Windows 7” message is one that all retail shippers should look for when meeting technology needs.

PC Synergy’s participation in the “Compatible with Windows 7” logo program is a continuation of the relationship between PC Synergy and Microsoft that includes the Works with Windows Vista and Microsoft Gold Certified Partner programs, both of which PC Synergy is a member.

PC Synergy, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, is a privately held company located in San Marcos, California. Founded by Rick Crawford in 1988, PC Synergy has over 3000 customers nationwide. The flagship product PostalMate, a compatible with Windows 7 product, automates shipping and packing as well as provides a full featured Point‐of‐Sale system with accounts receivable and mailbox rental management. Visit www.pcsynergy.com or call 800‐485‐6901 for more information.

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For more information, press only:

Julianna Shapiro, 800‐485‐6901 ext. 224, julianna@pcsynergy.com

PC Synergy Introduces Smart Update Notification for PostalMate

RS News — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:47:26 GMT

PC Synergy Introduces Smart Update Notification for PostalMate

In a continued effort to proactively support the PostalMate User, PC Synergy will begin using Smart Update Notification for PostalMate, keeping Retail Shippers current with their technology provider.

San Marcos, CA, 12/10/2009: Version 7.5 of PostalMate introduces a new feature for the PostalMate user. The Smart Update Notification feature allows the PostalMate user access to updates without leaving their PostalMate program.

Version 7.5 is available today at www.pcsynergy.com and implements the feature which will allow the notification for all future version updates. This complements the eUpdate feature that has been pushing smaller updates and fuel surcharges to PostalMate users for several years.

The 2010 rate changes in January will be the first updates users will be notified of with the new feature. “This is a great advantage to the PostalMate user who will no longer have to wait for announcements or worry about release dates on important rate change updates.” explained Julianna Shapiro, Vice-President of Marketing and Training for PC Synergy. “With update notifications delivered directly to the PostalMate software, much of the difficulty of the rate change season has been removed.” Often, users do not recall which version of the software they are running, or whether they have downloaded the most recent version. The Smart Update Notification feature removes all doubt.

The PostalMate user will receive an onscreen eUpdate message informing them of an available update. The user will follow the prompts only at the time the user finds it convenient to download the update. The update will download and the user will choose when to run it. PostalMate will be able to check for as many as one additional update prior to the recent release as well. Updates will still be available for download at the PostalMate website for those wanting to archive updates or for those needing to recover quickly from catastrophic PC errors.

For more information on the Smart Update Notification Feature, PostalMate, or Version 7.5 visit www.pcsynergy.com or call 800.485.6901.

PC Synergy is a privately held company located in San Marcos, California. Founded by Rick Crawford in 1988, PC Synergy has over 3000 customers nationwide. The flagship product PostalMate automates shipping and packing as well as provides a full featured Point‐of‐Sale system with accounts receivable and mailbox rental management. Visit www.pcsynergy.com or call 800‐485‐6901 for more information.

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For more information, press only:

Julianna Shapiro, 800‐485‐6901 ext. 224, julianna@pcsynergy.com

National Alliance of Retail Ship Centers 501 (C) (6) APPROVED

RS News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:08:09 GMT

National Alliance of Retail Ship Centers 501 (C) (6) APPROVED

The National Alliance of Retail Ship Centers (NARSC) announced today that the Internal Revenue Service has officially approved their application for tax exempt status under section 501 (c) (6) of the Internal Revenue Code.

“This is a critically important step in our effort to act as Advocate for the retail pack and ship industry” said Bruce Bernstein, board member and NARSC President. “NARSC leadership has been acutely aware of our industry’s need for a true advocate and has diligently pursued 501 (c) (6) status to operate as a tax exempt entity in order to pursue industry issues and concerns without the burden of any conflicts of interest” Bernstein continued. “NARSC is governed by its members and we (the NARSC board of directors) pay attention to what NARSC members ask us to do on their behalf. This tax-exempt status has been high on everyone’s priority list for two years now, so we’re glad to be able to announce that it’s been approved.”

As an advocate representing all retail shippers, the NARSC Board of Directors has representation from every concerned party. “The time has come for our industry to join together for the betterment of all. We are a true coalition of small and large operators, independent store owners and franchise systems and of suppliers to our industry all working together to improve our ability to meet our customers’ needs in a professional and ethical way.” added Michael Sawitz, NARSC Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of AIM Mail Centers.

Bernstein; “The entire NARSC board and membership views this as a milestone day, and we look forward to continued growth and being able to act as the one true advocate for our industry.”

About NARSC

The NARSC board of directors and membership is comprised of retail shipping store owners, franchise system operators, and industry vendors. NARSC’s mission is to act as advocate on behalf of the entire retail shipping community, monitoring existing and potential regulatory and legislative issues that [may] impact the industry, and then acting (where appropriate) in the best interests of the industry at large. NARSC does not accept payment for anything other than membership dues and, thereby, is not encumbered by business relationships that may hinder their ability to work on behalf of NARSC members.

NARSC Contact:

Bruce Bernstein

National Alliance of Retail Ship Centers

(954) 782-9836

BBernst106@aol.com

NARSC President

Company ensures you can shred your identity fast

RS News — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:39:29 GMT

Company ensures you can shred your identity fast

by Luci Scott - Sept. 26, 2009 07:00 AM

The Arizona Republic

Worried about identity theft? Do you have a box full of papers to be shredded but postpone it because your home shredder is flimsy and slow?

Now, thanks to one of Chandler's innovative small businesses, you have an option.

Go to a cash-operated, fast shredder at a mail store. Insert a $1 bill, and the machine shreds up to 20 pages at a time and more than 100 pages within a minute. Insert a $5 bill, and the machine will run for seven minutes and shred up to seven pounds or 700 pages.

The machine is the brainchild of two Gilbert men, Tom Stutting and Jeff Beard.

The company, You-Shred, is just one of a number of Chandler businesses that have been putting the city on the map as a haven for entrepreneurs. There is Bonded Logic, which turns denim into building insulation.

Another company, Engenuity Systems, has captured imaginations worldwide by sharing expertise and distributing products that make buildings smarter, safer and more energy-efficient.

And Kovach Inc., a specialty contractor that designs, makes and installs metal roofs and walls, is involved in many projects, including the huge CityCenter on the Las Vegas Strip, the largest privately funded construction project in the nation.

As for fast-growing You-Shred, its owners say the severe recession has not been a roadblock but rather a boon to their success.

"Even in a recession, identity theft is there, if not worse," Stutting said.

He and Beard began the company last year with one shredder in the PostNet store on the southwestern corner of Gilbert and Riggs roads in Chandler.

Now the company has 43 shredders throughout the United States with more orders constantly arriving. There are 12 You-Shred machines in metro Phoenix.

"Our office is booking orders daily," Beard said.

Stutting and Beard created the machine by adding a vending mechanism to a heavy-duty Fellowes shredder.

The men say the machine is jam-proof, and the blades are hidden so fingers can never touch them.

You-Shred works in a cross-cutting fashion, creating not strips but confetti that can't be reassembled. The confetti is recycled.

The machine also shreds CDs and credit cards.

The men recently signed a contract with The UPS Store/MBE; the agreement says that You-Shred is the only approved shredding-service supplier for The UPS Store/MBE throughout the country.

"Every store has the option to purchase one," said Stutting.

You-Shred machines are now in about 20 states, including New York, California, Florida, Oregon, Iowa and Illinois.

About half of the machines are in The UPS Store/MBE and half are in independent mail stores.

Stutting and Beard say they saw a need and filled it.

"About three years ago, we were struggling with the same issue," Stutting recalled. "We had stuff piled up at home that needed to be shredded. I had a home shredder, but it ended up being such a pain that the items to be shredded kept piling up."

The men pondered the question: How can homeowners and small businesses get access to high-end shredding, especially if they don't have enough to take to a bulk shredding facility? You-Shred is not for truckloads but for shoe boxes and banker boxes.

Timing is a key to the company's success, Stutting said.

Stores were looking for a shredding option, and You-Shred reduces a store's liability that is at risk with blue recycling bins.

"Identity theft is high, the need for shredders is high and mail stores happened to be looking for a shredding option," Stutting said.

The recession may be boosting business.

"People don't have an extra few hundred dollars to spend on a home shredder, but now they can go to the local mail store and shred on a regular basis," Beard said.

The men are looking at other outlets such as business centers, college campuses, libraries and drugstores.

Stutting and Beard have five employees working for them, including the workers at a factory in Mesa.

To maintain the machines, Stutting said the company has partnered with Fellowes and its nationwide service system. You-Shred also has sales support from Fellowes.

The company's Web site has a machine locator; people just type in a ZIP code.

The Web site is www.you-shred.net.

Press Release: Retail Shipping Associates Launches RS Freight & Cargo Services

RS News — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:51:58 GMT

Members of RSA can now classify, quote, and book freight in just a few short and easy steps from any PC with Internet access.

Retail Shipping Associates (RSA), a marketing, training, and service organization for the retail shipping industry announced today the official launch of RS Freight & Cargo. This new freight quoting and booking system provides retail shipping store owners access to highly competitive rates and transportation services via a dynamic online tool www.rscentral.org/freight.aspx .

In a partnership effort with AES Logistics, a freight/cargo broker with extensive experience in both domestic and international transportation services, RSA now makes this highly lucrative profit center available to everyone in the industry. “A relatively small segment of Retail Shipping store owners have been providing freight services to their customers, but the process has [historically] been cumbersome, confusing, and time-consuming” said Brandon Gale, President of RSA. “AES has long-standing relationships with dozens of carriers, both domestically and internationally, and their online rating engine is the most robust and comprehensive we’ve seen. Consequently, the rates now available to RS Members are some of the best to be found anywhere”, Gale continued, “and RS Premium Members get even better rates via a 5% rebate on the base transportation charges, so this service represents a big win for the participants”.

RS Freight services include domestic ground and air, full truckload, LTL, ocean full container/less than container, and international air cargo. The online tool makes freight shipping as easy as small package transportation. Simply enter the origin and destination Zip/Postal code, the shipment weight and dimensions, and the freight class (the tool provides automated class lookup). The rating engine then returns at least six different carriers/prices /delivery days (in real time-directly from the carriers). Pick the one that best suits your needs, pay online via credit card, and then the pickup is automatically scheduled.

“Retail shipping store owners have been asking for a freight tool that combines competitive rates, carrier options, and a seamless ordering process—backed by professionals who understand every aspect of domestic and international freight” said Gale. “By partnering with AES Logistics, that is exactly what RS Associates has provided to our members. So now, even the “novices” can now offer freight and cargo services to their customers—and look like experts”.

About Retail Shipping Associates

Retail Shipping Associates (RSA) is a marketing, training, service, and support organization for the retail shipping industry. Located in Dallas, Texas, RSA is an Affinity Partner of the USPS and Channel Manager for DHL. It has a membership base of over 3,100 retail shipping stores, comprised of both independents and franchised locations (PostNet, Pak Mail, Postal Connections, Annex Brands, AIM Mail Centers, The UPS Stores, etc.). RSA distributes the industry’s leading monthly trade publication, The Retail Shipping News, to 10,100 stores, and markets products and services to the entire industry. www.rscentral.org

About AES Logistics

AES Logistics is a member of the Universal Freight Organization (an ISO 9001:2000 Certified organisation of 120 independent freight forwarders, located in 105 countries.), an IATA Certified Air Carrier, as well as a licensed International Ocean Freight Forwarder - NVOCC (Non Vessel Operating Common Carrier), OTI (Ocean Transportation Intermediary). The Better Business Bureau gives AES an A+ rating after 9 plus years of complaint-free service. AES operates out of its National Corporate office located in Seattle, WA and provides shipment rating, dispatching and tracking through highly refined alliances with partner carriers and proprietary transportation software.

USPS Potential Post Office Closure List

RS News — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:43:02 GMT

USPS Potential Post Office Closure List

The United States Postal Service is projecting losses of $7 billion this year. In an effort to cut costs and eliminate overhead, 3,200 local post offices and mail processing facilities are being evaluated for potential closing.

The list of locations under consideration can be accessed on the RSA website http://www.rscentral.org

As of today, approximately 1,000 from this list will be selected for permanent closure, but no decisions have been made.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE for all DHL account holders.

RS News — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:58:57 GMT

IMPORTANT MESSAGE for all DHL account holders.

There has been some recent confusion regarding the status of DHL accounts. This message is intended to update you and provide the correct steps to make certain your account is being properly serviced.

DHL has performed a complete review of all accounts since ending US domestic service and is now taking steps to make certain all remaining accounts are “Globally Compliant”. Here are the steps DHL is taking as a result;

1. DHL Authorized Shipping Center accounts that have no shipping activity since September, 2007 OR if they have shipped ONLY domestic shipments since September, 2007 will be terminated as of June 8, 2009. These accounts cannot be re-activated. If a DASC in this category wants to use DHL to ship internationally, they must apply for a new Global Compliant account number through Retail Shipping Associates www.rscentral.org

2. Stores that have “Legacy Airborne” accounts must be issued a new Global Compliant international account number in order to continue shipping via DHL. Although information was sent out indicating the Legacy Airborne accounts would be invalid or terminated as of June 8, 2009, these accounts will still be serviced until the end of June however; you should begin using your new Global Compliant number as soon as possible. If you do not yet have your new account number, see steps 3 & 4.

3. DHL will be sending email messages and letters via US Mail informing account holders of these changes. The email message WILL NOT include the new Global Compliant account number (for security reasons), but the letter WILL include the account number.

4. If you currently have an active DHL international account and want to get your Global Compliant number right away, you can get the account number from DHL by calling 888-826-5636. Make certain to have your current account number available as the new account number is tied to the existing account number.

5. Once you have received your new Global Compliant account number, it should be the ONLY account number you use for DHL shipments. All other account numbers will be invalid as of the end of June (or sooner, depending upon the account type).

6. All existing DASC program discounts and benefits will remain in effect for active shipping accounts.

DHL is taking these steps to make certain all DASC program participants are actively using DHL for international shipments and to further ensure the integrity of the system. If you have any questions on this subject, please send them to DHL@rscentral.org

The Retail Shippers Expo is Back!

RS News — Thu, 21 May 2009 07:17:47 GMT

20 May 2009
For Immediate Release

Retail Shippers Expo

Riviera Hotel and Casino

14 August 2009

Retail Shipping Associates and PC Synergy are pleased to announce the return of the largest free expo in the retail shipping industry. Once again, August in Las Vegas means the Retail Shippers Forum featuring the Retail Shippers Expo. As the largest, best-attended trade show in the retail shipping industry, the Retail Shippers Expo promises its hundreds of attendees a wide array of the industry’s top vendors—both long time partners and dynamic new companies displaying the latest and greatest products, services, and profit centers—just when you need them most.

The Forum also includes training from nationally respected RS Academy as well as POS providers PC Synergy and ShipRite. Vendor Profit Builder Clinics will show you how to identify and market new and existing profit centers.

Stay the rest of the weekend for the PostalMate User Conference and RS Academy training. Information on the Expo, and all of the Forum events is available at www.rs-EXPO.com

The Riviera Hotel and Casino plays host to the forum this year and has offered attendees newly renovated non-smoking rooms at only $99 per night. Call 702.547.5109.

Contact Julianna Shapiro for additional information: julianna@pcsynergy.com

Change to UPS Undeliverable Ground Packages Procedure

RS News — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:05:26 GMT

Change to UPS Undeliverable Ground Packages Procedure

Effective April 27, 2009, UPS will implement a new operational procedure for undeliverable ground packages. UPS will return-to-shipper Ground packages not requiring signature services after the third delivery attempt. All Air, International and Ground Service packages with Delivery Confirmation “Signature Required” and “Adult Signature Required” options will continue to be post carded and held for Will Call for five days after the third delivery attempt.

The consignee can make alternative delivery arrangements prior to 7 p.m. on the day of the final delivery attempt. By visiting UPS.com, consignees can request that the package be held in the building for pick-up or have the package delivered to another address. Shippers can prevent packages from being returned by using Signature Required or Adult Signature Required delivery confirmation options when shipping ground packages or shipping via UPS air services. Again, this change will apply only to ground packages without UPS signature options. All other packages will continue to be held in the UPS operating center for 5 days after the 3rd delivery attempt.

Note: The delivery return fee is waived for participants in the UPS Authorized Shipping Outlet program

The PostalMate Discussion Group Reaches and Important Milestone

RS News — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:50:24 GMT

For Immediate Release

April 16, 2009

Group membership eclipses 1700

San Marcos, CA –April 16, 2009—PC Synergy announced today that their popular PostalMate Discussion Group has grown past 1700 members. The group, which launched in 2002, quickly became an energetic meeting place for PostalMate users and PC Synergy staff. Discussions on industry topics and PostalMate software issues have dominated this active group that finds posts logged at all times of the day and night.

“We are excited that this supplement to our support services has taken off and provided such great benefit to our users,” stated Vice President of Marketing for PC Synergy, Julianna Shapiro. “We hope this popularity carries over to other uses of online networking for the PostalMate user.”

PostalMate users log on to the discussion group to ask questions about updates, software configuration and customization as well as how new industry trends and day to day operations can be enriched by the use of more of PostalMate’s features. Comments, suggestions and answers come from other users, many of whom are veteran store owners as well as staff from PC Synergy, the makers of PostalMate.

PC Synergy plans many new web based support supplements in the near future.

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For more information, press only:

Julianna Shapiro, 800‐485‐6901 ext. 224, julianna@pcsynergy.com

Mother's Day Delivery Time Changes

Admin User — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 03:29:31 GMT

Mother's Day Delivery Time Changes

Due to the shipping volume expected on the day before Mother's Day, UPS is making an operational adjustment for Saturday, May 9. On that day, we will relax the UPS Next Day Air^® delivery commit time by 90 minutes. For areas which normally have a noon or 1:30 p.m. commit time on Saturday, deliveries will be made by 1:30 and 3 p.m. respectively. The commit time for UPS Next Day Air^® Early A.M.^® deliveries will remain unchanged.

An Earth Day Note: April 22 is Earth Day. UPS provides normal pickup and delivery service on this day devoted to environmental awareness. We have recently deployed 300 new delivery trucks powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). UPS operates the largest private fleet of alternative fuel vehicles in our industry. You can find out more by visiting sustainability.ups.com.

Stay in the Know. UPS operations schedules for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's are being finalized this spring and will appear on the Compass website this summer. Make sure you sign up for Compass via e-mail so you'll be among the first to know. Just check the "Newsletters" box.

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FotoZoomer Announces Expanded Photo Package Selections

RS News — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 06:42:01 GMT

GREENVILLE, SC, FEBRUARY 2009: FotoZoomer is pleased to announce that the Series 2 Photo Packages are now available.

Each Package is Printed Onto a Single Sheet of 8x10 Media. With Series 2 Photo Packages, FotoZoomer has added 5 additional packages designed to print on a single 13” x 19” media sheet through the Epson 1400 Photo Printer included with their FotoZoomer Kiosk Systems. The packages are designed to enhance the Series 1 Photo Packages that were released in the 4.0 version of FotoZoomer in January 2009. These packages will be like nothing else

currently offered in the photo kiosk world and will give your customers more choices than they have ever seen anywhere else.

Best of all, these prints can be easily sold with a 400% to 800% markup. Series 2 Photo Packages have a suggested retail price of $15 to $22 per sheet with a production cost (including media and ink) ranging from $1.25 to $3.03 depending on the media type they are printed on.

Series 2: 5 Additional Pre-Set Photo Packages

Each Package is Printed Onto a Single Sheet of 13x19 Media

For customers with support contracts, these new photo package selections will be automatically loaded onto your systems starting today.

Digital camera photography has exploded over the past five years. With increasingly higher quality cameras matched with professional quality printers and sophisticated, yet easy‐to‐use software, the demand for specialty digital photo print services is now over a $500 million a year business. Acquire a system and offer FotoZoomer Digital Print Services to your customers and enter this lucrative and growing market!

For more information contact FotoZoomer at: sales@fotozoomer.com or call us at 864.286.6868.

About FOTOZOOMER LLC ‐‐ FotoZoomer LLC (www.fotozoomer.com) is an industry‐leading manufacturer of photo to poster and banner kiosk printing solutions for the retail shipping industry.

OLSON & IVES to carry Mettler Toledo PS3L scale

RS News — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:24:42 GMT

OLSON & IVES to carry Mettler Toledo PS3L scale

OLSON & IVES, a long-time POS hardware supplier to the retail shipping industry is pleased to announce they will be adding the Mettler Toledo PS3L 70lb scale to their existing inventory of scales. The PS3L is very similar to the MT PS6L with the major differences being the PS3L is 70LB capacity and the top (platter) is made of a durable plastic. The PS3L is NTEP approved Legal For Trade for both letters and parcels. The PS3L comes with both serial and USB connection options and is compatible with PostalMate® software. OLSON & IVES will offer this scale for only $499 with free shipping. Please see the attached flyer for more information on the Mettler Toledo PS3L scale.

Demand Surges for POPickup Mailbox Notification Service

RS News — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:19:28 GMT

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PerSage, Inc., market innovator and leading provider of automated, wireless PO mailbox notification services, reported a surge in demand for its popular POPickup™ service that sends automated email and/or text message alerts directly to PO box renters when they have First Class Mail® or packages. The company attributes the increased interest in part to the recent market entry by United Parcel Service® that has raised general awareness of mail notification services among the nation’s 10,000 mail receiving stores.

“We were quite pleased to see TV and online advertising touting the new UPS® package delivery notification service at The UPS Stores® and Mail Boxes Etc.® stores,” said Gordon Watson, PerSage Chairman and CEO. “UPS’s entry invigorates and further validates this exciting market space which we’ve been actively serving since 2007.”

While the UPS notification service is for packages only, POPickup notifies mailbox renters not only about packages, but also that First Class Mail has been delivered. In addition, POPickup is the only service that sends mailbox renters a choice of three types of notices chosen from a menu of 15 standard messages.

This flexibility is important to store owners who save time by not having to respond to customer inquires about mail deliveries, as well as mailbox renters who save time and fuel by avoiding trips to an empty mailbox. Many mailbox renters are business people who receive payments and orders through the US Postal Service®, FedEx®, UPS, and other carriers. The ratio of First Class letters to packages received is about 100 to one in the typical postal and business services store.

“It’s ironic that our service has received an immediate surge in demand from store owners across the country since The UPS Stores began advertising package-only notification two weeks ago,” continued Watson. “First Class mail is of the highest interest to the customer and typically the most time sensitive. First Class letter delivery notification is not available with the UPS service.”

Postal Connections of America, a competitor of The UPS Store based in San Diego with stores in 24 states, has entered into an agreement with PerSage to equip all new stores with POPickup and is retrofitting existing franchise stores with the service. “The email or cell phone notification is a strong benefit for our customers who frequently come in to check their mailbox,” said Fred Morache, Managing Partner of Postal Connections. The company conducted a six-month in-stores test of POPickup before signing a national agreement with PerSage.

POPickup is a licensed service targeted to mail receiving stores in the U.S. and Europe. The automated, wireless service requires no special workstation or complex wiring or software to install. Other than a store employee pushing one of three buttons in the mailbox while putting up the mail, there is no added labor.

PerSage, Inc. is a privately-held technology, manufacturing, and services provider headquartered in Fountain Valley, CA. For more information, call 714.593.1529 or visit www.persage.com

POPickup is a trademark of PerSage, Inc. United Parcel Service, UPS, The UPS Store, and Mail Boxes Etc. are registered trademarks of United Parcel Service of America. First Class Mail is a registered trademark of the US Postal Service. FedEx is a registered trademark of FedEx Corp.

FOTOZOOMER LLC SHIPS MAJOR NEW SOFTWARE RELEASE

RS News — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:42:26 GMT

FOTOZOOMER LLC SHIPS MAJOR NEW SOFTWARE RELEASE

GREENVILLE, SC, JANURY 2009: FotoZoomer announces that they have commenced upgrading current customers with active support contracts to the new FotoZoomer Release 4.0. This new release features a new start up window that will present the various optional applications that are available to customers to use, such as:

• Large Format Prints

• Small Format Prints

• Photo Packages (NEW)

• Instant Signs (Recently Expanded)

• T-Shirts

As new applications are developed and released, this screen will expand with additional selections.

A brand new application we are introducing with this release is Photo Packages. This application enables customers to take their digital photos and select a set package of photos to print in one simple step. (See screen shot of package choices). Release 4.0 also enables owners to set separate price structures not only by media type but by application, e.g. instant signs can have their price structure; photo packages have their price structure, and small/large format prints by media type can have another structure. Release 4.0 has a new printer setup procedure that significantly simplifies and speeds up your ability to add printers and different media choices to your system. All current customers under an active support contract will be upgraded. All new FotoZoomer Systems will ship with Release 4.0.

For more information contact FotoZoomer at: sales@fotozoomer.com or call us at 864.286.6868.

U.S. Postal Service to Change Shipping Prices in January

RS News — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:12:04 GMT

U.S. Postal Service to Change Shipping Prices in January

New Annual January Price Change Consistent with Industry Practices

WASHINGTON, DC — Pricing for shipping services will change on Sunday, Jan. 18, the Postal Service announced today following a vote by its Board of Governors.

“The move to annual January price changes for shipping services products is consistent with industry-wide practice, and provides a clear picture of the competitive, affordable prices the Postal Service offers,” said Robert Bernstock, president, Mailing and Shipping Services.

Prices will change on Sunday, Jan. 18, for Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service and some international shipping products. Overall, shipping services prices will increase an average of 5 percent. The new prices are available at www.usps.com/prices (click “New Shipping Prices” box).

“The new prices are very competitive within the shipping industry and reinforce the value Postal Service pricing offers our customers,” Bernstock said. “As always, the Postal Service does not impose fuel surcharges, hidden surcharges or surcharges for residential delivery or Saturday delivery.”

New for 2009 is Commercial Plus pricing, an extraordinary value for high-volume Express Mail and Priority Mail users. New Commercial Plus prices for Express Mail are 14.5 percent less than retail on average, and for Priority Mail 7 percent less than retail on average.

“Commercial Plus is a tiered pricing option designed with larger shippers in mind,” said Gary Reblin, vice president, Expedited Shipping. “It’s a very competitive offering for commercial customers — lower prices that will reward them for shipping higher volumes with the Postal Service.”

The Postal Service remains the best shipping value in the market, Reblin said, especially for Express Mail and Priority Mail packages weighing less than 5 pounds. Parcel Select, the Postal Service “last mile” ground product, where the Postal Service provides delivery for other parcel shippers and parcel consolidators, continues to be an excellent solution for high-volume shippers. For international mailers, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International and Priority Mail International are the best value in global shipping.

Service Average Price Change

Express Mail 5.7%

Priority Mail 3.9%

Parcel Select 5.9%

Parcel Return Service 5.3%

International Shipping Services 8.5%

This is the first time the Postal Service is adjusting prices for its shipping services on a different schedule from its mailing service price adjustments. Price changes for mailing services, including stamp prices, will be announced in February, and will be effective in May 2009.

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------