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Scanning scoop

Every scan matters, but do you know why?

Letter carrier scans mail at home's front door
Internal Service Performance Measurement relies on accurate scanning at collection and delivery points across the nation.

Scanning has always been important to the Postal Service’s operations — and it’s about to take on added significance.

Internal Service Performance Measurement (SPM) will soon become the organization’s official method to measure service performance. The system relies on accurate scanning by employees at Post Office Boxes and various collection and delivery points across the nation.

Here’s what you should know:

• Scanning helps USPS improve service. Employees should complete scans whenever postal equipment prompts them to do so — whether it’s at a PO Box or on a delivery route.

These scans are fed to the Internal SPM system, which makes it easier for the Postal Service to identify areas that need improvement. This, in turn, helps the organization improve service, build customer loyalty and boost revenue.

• Scanning allows USPS to see the big picture. Internal SPM uses random scans at individual collection and delivery points throughout the postal network, as well as retail scans of First-Class Mail letters and flats with special services.

This data is combined with the live scans from the billions of pieces moving through the network, providing a near-real-time, more accurate reflection of the organization’s service performance.

• Scanning is vital during both collection and delivery. To ensure Internal SPM is effective, the Postal Service wants employees to scan mailpieces at both “first mile” and “last mile” collection and delivery points.

The first mile data helps identify operational issues between collection and the first sorting operation, while the last mile data helps identify operational issues between the last sorting operation and final delivery.

“The bottom line is this: The data from our employees’ scanning allows USPS to better manage its processing, transportation and delivery networks, which provides our customers with the reliable and consistent service they deserve,” said Enterprise Analytics Vice President Isaac Cronkhite, who oversees Internal SPM.

External First-Class (EXFC), the Postal Service’s current official method to measure performance, will be retired Sept. 30 and replaced by Internal SPM, beginning Oct. 1.

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