Direct Group Launches 'Postal Optimizer'
Tuesday, 06 March 2007
Direct Group, a full-service provider of high-volume, high-quality direct marketing services, has announced the launch of its Postal Optimizer product line, which provides significant cost savings to direct mail marketers facing the postal rate increase expected to take effect May 6. Postal Optimizer is one of the most comprehensive packages of postal-cost-savings solutions.
According to Direct Group, Postal Optimizer will deliver significant savings impact on mail campaigns processed through the United States Postal Service Bulk Mail Centers (BMC) and Sectional Center Facilities (SCF) – and Direct Group’s use of “intelligent mail” technologies – in collaboration with the USPS – will play an important role in achieving these cost reductions.
Postal Optimizer provides multiple opportunities to secure cost savings for direct mail marketers, whose postage expenses can represent up to 75 percent of total project costs. Postal Optimizer features proprietary software that analyzes customer data and generates comprehensive solutions for entry-point deliveries, commingling and other logistics strategies including optimal packaging, targeted in-home delivery dates, load planning, reporting, and standardized interfaces that determine the most efficient trucking and transport options.
“We’re now moving into an annual-CPI-rate-increase environment,” said Kevin McPhillips, vice president of Strategic Planning for Direct Group. “Going forward, it will be even more critical to partner with our clients and the USPS to cut cost-per-piece, increase ‘speed-to-market,’ and enhance overall mailing campaign effectiveness.” McPhillips is also a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of PostCom, and the Chairman of a USPS Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) Workgroup.
By accessing Postal Optimizer’s Web-based program, clients and service partners can submit their data files for analysis and view a summary cost savings report. Direct Group then works with the client to create an optimal, multi-pronged, direct mail delivery plan that goes well beyond traditional entry-point planning tools.
“We have already tested Postal Optimizer with a number of clients, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive,” said Chris Ryan, Direct Group executive vice president. “We also plan to analyze data files for prospective clients with significant postal expenses and provide them insight on the potential savings we can bring to their campaigns