Planet Code

Using TrackMyMail and PLANET codes

Printing and placing the PLANET code on your mail

Interpreting results from TrackMyMail

Precision Track™

TrackMyMail and Intelligent Mail Barcodes

Using Precision Track

Enhanced services available with Precision track and IMB

FAQs

Planet Code

Using TrackMyMail and PLANET codes

What types and classes of mail can I track?
First-Class and Standard-Class mail can be tracked for letters, flats and periodicals. TrackMyMail does not track parcels.

Can I track a carrier-route mailing using PLANET codes? How about non-automated mail?
Automated first-class carrier-route letters and Standard class, walk-sequenced, barcoded, saturation letters will often get very good scan rates, particularly city routes. Rural routes tend to get much lower scan rates. If much of your mail is high density or saturation carrier-route sorted letters we suggest testing on some smaller mailings to evaluate scan rates.

Non-saturation enhanced carrier route standard letters do not tend to track well, although this may change in the coming months. It is simply a matter of whether the Postal Service is running mail through automated sorters that determines whether or not you will get scan data. We always advise testing on your particular carrier-route mail to determine how well it will scan.

Carrier-route sorted flats will rarely receive any scans at all, regardless of class. At this time we do not recommend PLANET coding carrier-route sorted flats.
Non-automated mail can be tracked, but scan rates are typically much lower.

Does each piece have a unique PLANET code?
No. Generally all of the pieces in a mailing will be assigned one PLANET code. The data that comes back from the Postal Service will have both the PLANET and postnet information, allowing trackmymail.com to distinguish one piece from another.

Is the PLANET code barcode the same as the postnet barcode?
No. Although the barcodes look very similar, they contain different numbers of long and short bars. Barcode scanners can distinguish easily between the postnet code and the PLANET code.

The two barcodes do share some important characteristics: Both barcodes have 62 bars and share the same requirements as to size and contrast. The primary difference is that the relative position of long and short bars is reversed on the PLANET code relative to the postnet code.

Do I still need to print a Postnet barcode?
YES! The PLANET code is just there for tracking purposes. You still need the Postnet barcode for mail delivery and postal discounts. You will generally have two barcodes on each PLANET coded piece.

I'm using TracKit labels. Which mail pieces should I PLANET code?
You typically want to choose a sampling that covers a broad geographic area. Our suggestion is to put a code on the first and last piece in every tray. If you don't have a lot of trays you may want to divide the labels equally between the trays you do have. If the mailing, for example, consists of 30 trays, use five labels in each tray, distributed more or less evenly.

At what point does USPS scan mail?
Mail is scanned at a variety of points as it travels through the mail stream. Trackmymail.com analyzes this scan data and assigns projected in-home delivery dates.

I have a number of jobs I need to track. Are there any tools to make it easier to create multiple jobs?
Yes! TrackMyMail has multi-job and multi-version options to make your order entry on multiple jobs easier. Mailing jobs can be created 3 different ways.
1. One job using a single PLANET code.
2. One job with several versions where each version has a unique PLANET code. This allows you to enter the information for all of your versions at once. When you go to look at your results you will be able to look at all versions combined as a single job, or at each individual version. Each version is charged as a unique job.
3. More than one job and a PLANET code is assigned to each job - This allows you to enter the information for all of your jobs at one time, and submit them all at once. The jobs will appear in the usual job list on the results page.

What is the EMD (Electronic Mailing Data)?
The EMD file is created when a shipment id is assigned and printed as a barcode on a 3152 or 8125 document. When PLANET coded mail is inducted into the mailstream, the receiving USPS facility will scan this document and report back the date and time of the entry scan to Trackmymail.com. We will then post these results into your job under “View Entry Information.”

If you are drop shipping mail, or simply need additional verification that your mail has been inducted, this can be a valuable tool. The Postal Service encourages the use of EMD. Lack of an entry scan does not mean that the mail was not inducted. Scanning the EMD is a manual process and occasionally missed by postal induction employees.

As far as preparing your EMD, if your mail is dropping at a single location, trackmymail.com does all of the work for you. We’ll email you a PDF of the form 3152-A with your job confirmation. Just print it out and turn it in with your mailing. Drop ship clients can either work with supporting software (Window Book or BCC Mail Manager 2010), or complete an EMD spreadsheet. Click on the link below for details. In either case we’ll also take care of uploading required data to the Postal Service.

It is very important to note that while the Postal Service encourages use of EMD, the entry scan does not influence or affect the results of the PLANET code scans of your mail pieces. Failure to create an EMD file, or failure by the Postal Service to scan your entry form will not impact PLANET code scan performance.

If you indicated that you were dropping at a single USPS location, we provided a PDF of the 3152 you can submit to the post office. If you are dropping at multiple locations, please click here for information on completing the EMD spreadsheet attached to your order confirmation.

How do I complete the EMD spreadsheet that was attached to my Order Confirmation?

Can I use the same PLANET code for various drops over a period of time?
No. Each job requires its own PLANET code. We have no way of distinguishing scans from different jobs if they use the same PLANET code. For this reason we track each mailing for 45 days only. Please use one PLANET code per job, per day.

Printing and placing the PLANET code on your mail

How do I put the PLANET codes on my mail piece?
PLANET codes can be generated by using the same printing methods you use for printing postnet barcodes, typically inkjet or laser printers. They may also be applied by offset printing. The PLANET code uses its own font, which can be downloaded from our Resources page. We also offer pressure sensitive labels in our TracKit products.

I've downloaded the PLANET code font, and I'm printing my own PLANET codes.
What point size should I use?
The type size we use is 16 point.

How do I determine where the PLANET code should be located on my mail piece?
Click here to see diagrams showing acceptable placement of the PLANET code.

When printing my own PLANET codes do I need to print any other characters?
Yes! Just as with the Postnet barcode, you need to print framing bars at the start and end of the barcode. The framing bar, a single long bar, is the character "s" in the PLANET code font (as it is with the Postnet font.) When printing the PLANET code "222081000005", the code, in a non-barcode font, would appear "s222081000005s"

Will the PLANET code assigned by trackmymail.com include the check digit?
Yes! If we supply you with a PLANET code to print, it will be a twelve (12) digit number, which includes the check digit. On your online job confirmation screen the check digit will appear in red. You just need to add the framing bars, as described above.

What do the digits in the PLANET code represent?
The first two digits indicate the type of PLANET code and the size and class of the mail piece. Destination, outgoing PLANET codes start with a number from 40-45. Origin, incoming PLANET codes start 50-55. The next 5 digits are the account number assigned to trackmymail.com by the Postal Service. The next four digits are the numbers we use to identify a particular mailing, and the last digit is a "correction" digit. The sum of all digits must end with "0". The correction digit makes certain that this happens.

Does each piece have a unique PLANET code?
No. Generally all of the pieces in a mailing will be assigned one PLANET code.

Interpreting results from TrackMyMail

At what point does the USPS scan mail?
Mail is scanned at a variety of points as it travels through the mail stream. Trackmymail.com analyzes this scan data and assigns projected in-home delivery dates.

Will every piece of mail with a PLANET code be scanned?
While scan rates of 100% are unlikely, letter size mail consistently scans at around 90% or better, while flat size mail performs at an average of 70%. Please note that flat scans often vary, depending upon the way they are sorted and delivered to the postal facilities. If you are drop shipping flats, you may want to contact customerservice@trackmymail.com to describe your shipment.

How long will my mail be tracked? How long can I view the results?
Your mail will be tracked for 45 days after the drop date provided by you when you place your order.

We keep the detailed USPS scan data for six months. You can download USPS data and look up single pieces of mail for up to six months from your mail date. After six months you cannot look up single pieces, generate single piece reports, or download USPS raw data. In-home by date, State, SCF and all other views are available for two years, including the ability to download those reports.

How current is the tracking data displayed on trackmymail.com?
The Postal Service transmits updated tracking results to trackmymail.com in 7 scheduled daily transmissions at beginning at 12:00 AM and finishing at 10AM ET. This schedule allows continuous updates throughout the most active period of the day for postal processing and ensures current data for the scans displayed on trackmymail.com.

I've tracked my mailing and I'm unhappy with the delivery time, and/or it appears that some pieces have not been delivered. What recourse do I have?
While the Postal Service does have service standards it tries to meet, they do not guarantee delivery within any particular timeframe. If you are unhappy with the delivery time you may contact customer service at your local post office, or have your mailing service make contact for you. You may want to print out your trackmymail.com results to show the delivery pattern.

Precision Track™

TrackMyMail and Intelligent Mail Barcodes

How is the IMB different than the PLANET code?
The IMB is a 4-state barcode that uses 4 different bar lengths to add more digits to the barcode. Using these additional digits the barcode can both track your mail like a PLANET code, but it also replaces the postnet barcode for routing mail. Tracking and routing are done by a single barcode, as well as other "Intelligent Mail" functions.

The IMB is printed from a font, but the font is not a direct translation of numbers. Instead, you will build a number and feed that number into an encoder, a piece of software created by the Postal Service. That encoder will convert the number into a sequence of 65 letters. There are only four possible letters: F,A,T, and D. Each letter corresponds to a type of bar. It is this sequence of letters that will be printed in the IMB font, becoming 65 bars. There are no framing bars, so it is OK to have a short bar at the beginning and/or end of the barcode. There is no check digit. You cannot directly translate the barcode into numbers.

How many digits are in the IMB, and what do they mean?

The IMB generally contains 31 digits, although it may have as few as 20. This is OK – the encoder will always turn it into 65 bars.

The elements of the IMB:

Digits 1-2: Barcode Identifier. Generally, this field will be left as "00". Please refer to http://ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/IMB_Resource_Guide.pdf for exceptions.
Digits 3-5: Service Type Identifier. "040" for FC Letters; "042" for STD letters, "044" for Periodical letters, etc.
Digits 6-11: Customer Identifier: Example "000803"
Digits 12-20: Tracking ID: This is the job/piece identifier and will be unique to each job or each piece depending on what you choose.
Digits 21-31: Delivery Point Zip Code: This can theoretically be 0, 5, 9, or 11 digits. We do not recommend 0. A five digit ZIP is OK for those pieces where CASS did not attach, but most pieces will generally have the ZIP+4 and delivery point as appended by your CASS software. Please keep in mind that even though the physical components of the barcode can be compiled with less than 11 digits, the delivery point requirements for USPS automation standards still apply.

You may occasionally see alternative terms used for some elements. For example The Customer Identifier may be called the Business Entity Identifier or Subscriber Identifier. The Tracking ID may be called a "Sequence Number", "Unique Identifier" or "Mailing ID". The barcode itself was previously referred to as 4-state or OneCode. These terms are interchangeable.

I can read a PLANET code or postnet code manually. Can I do the same with IMB?
No. The IMB uses a much more complex coding method. The IMB number created as above is converted into a string of 65 letters by a program called an encoder, a USPS computer program. Those letters are then converted into the four different bars of the IMB. There is no direct translation without that program.

Is there a check digit in the IMB?
No. The error correction is built into the encoder.

Are there framing bars on an IMB?
No. The IMB may start with any of the four bars.

How can I check to be sure I’ve printed my IMB correctly?
We suggest that mailers purchase a hand scanner for quality assurance purposes. There are a number of models that will read the IMB. Trackmymail.com customer service will be happy to make suggestions. We also encourage you to submit a PDF sample with your initial IMB barcode to customerservice@trackmymail.com.

If an IMB scans correctly with a hand scanner does that mean it will pass Merlin testing?
Not necessarily. Hand scanners will generally only confirm that the numbers are correct. They have much greater tolerance than USPS testing and processing equipment. You may want to add a barcode verifier to assure that barcodes are printed to postal requirements. Please contact the scanner manufacturer for details.

Using Precision Track

How do I create a Precision Track™ Account?
Log onto www.trackmymail.com/IMB and click “create an account” at the top of the page. You will assign yourself a user id and password. This will be different from the user id and password you used for your PLANET Code account.

How do I create a Precision Track™ Job?
Precision Track™ provides you with a variety of options for working with the IMB, depending on what level of detail you want and how much of the process you want to do yourself. The basic steps are as follow:

Download and install the IMB font from the resources page of trackmymail.com. It is a TrueType font. Make sure your addressing equipment is compatible with this font. You will be printing it in a 16 point type size.
Log onto www.trackmymail.com/IMB using your Precision Track™ user ID and password. Click on “Create a New Job”
Select the option to either (1) create a unique tracking id for each piece, or (2) use one number for the entire job.
Complete the job information just as you would for a regular trackmymail.com job. You’ll be asked to verify the job information and then “submit job.”
The next screen is your job confirmation screen where you have 2 options.

Option 1: If you have chosen to have trackmymail.com append your IMB’s, the screen will prompt you to upload your file. You can do it when you create the job or return later to do it. Click here for the required file structure. After you have uploaded your file you will receive a confirmation that your upload has been successful. You have now created your Precision Track™ job.

When your file has been processed and the IMB’s assigned, you will receive an email with a link to retrieve your file. You must be logged into your Precision Track when you click on the link. You can now download or save your encoded file. Click here for the encoded file format.

Option 2:If you have chosen to create your own IMBs you can now download a file which will contain the first 20 numbers of the IMB for each record. You will add the routing id or postnet to this number to complete the IMB. In no case should any of the tracking id’s you assign be greater or smaller than the values shown. Please contact customer service if you are not certain how to use these ranges with your software. Click here for more details on creating your own IMB’s.

I’m using my mailing software to create my IMB’s. Do I need to upload or download files?
You do not need to, but you may still want to upload a mailing detail file in order to enhance the reporting available in your Precision Track job. Click here for more details on uploading a mailing detail file.

Do I need to track every piece in my Precision Track job, or can I sample?
Currently, if trackmymail.com appends your IMB we only offer tracking of all pieces as an option. Sampling is available if you create your own IMBs. Click here for more details on using assigned tracking IDs to create your own IMB.

Be aware that when you choose to sample that you lose the Forwarded mail and Update Pro capabilities for all untracked pieces.

Enhanced services available with Precision Track and IMB

What is Forwarded mail? (Forwarded or Returned)
Forwarded mail is a mail piece that the Postal Services has forwarded or returned to sender. When this occurs the routing code (ZIP+4 and delivery point) will change, while the tracking ID will remain the same. When Precision Track sees this occur, the mail piece is labeled as Forwarded.

Will I get the address to which the mail was forwarded?
No. The Forwarded mail report will only provide new routing code – ZIP+4 and delivery point - if available. Address corrections are available through trackmymail.com’s Update Pro™ service although not all Forwarded mail will necessarily get a correction.

I've received returned pieces; why aren't there any results displayed in the Forwarded Mail report?
The Return ZIP+4 must be populated in the job details in order for Returned pieces to be identified as Returned vs. Forwarded. Without the Return ZIP entered for a job, all Forwarded and Returned pieces will be displayed as Forwarded.

Why are only Postnet’s listed under the "old address" in the Forwarded Mail report and not all of the address fields?
The Forwarded Mail report populates these fields based on the data contained within the upload (Mailing Detail Data file). If name and address information is not included in the uploaded file, the only information available for display is the Postnet.

Which columns of my upload are required to utilize the Forwarded Mail report?
The Customer Unique Identifier and Postnet columns are the minimum fields required.

The Map of Results isn't color coded and I am unable to view percentages by State, etc.
The map colors and percentages by state represent the percent of pieces with scan activity compared to the mail quantity for the state. For these reports to display the calculations and colors an upload file of tracked pieces is required (name and address details are not required for this feature).

Why do the records listed in the UpdatePro Report differ from those listed in the Forwarded Mail report?
The records in the Update Pro report are based on date supplied by the USPS move update requests on file with the post office. Forwarded Mail records are a result of delivery to a Postnet that differs from the Postnet on the mail piece (example: Returned to sender). Forwarded Mail reports DO NOT require Address Correction Services on the mail piece.

The option to select Address Correction Service (ACS) for my mailing isn't available.
Please contact Customer Service for assistance.

What are the available formats for UpdatePro Reports?
CSV, Excel and HTML formats are available.

What are the differences between the available ACS options with TrackMyMail?
Please refer to the following link from our Resources page-- Address Correction Service (Options and Endorsements): https://www.trackmymail.com/4st/PublicResources/ACS_Resources4.pdf.

How do I determine where the Intelligent Mail Barcode should be printed?
Click here to see diagrams showing acceptable placement of the IMB.

Please note: ACS users must apply the Intelligent Mail barcode above the address on letter-size mail until PARS changes are implemented. This restriction does not apply to flat-size mail.

Additional information about IMB placement restrictions can be found at http://ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/IMB_Resource_Guide.pdf

On what kinds of mail can I use Precision Track™?
Precision Track™ will work on Letter size and Flat size mail for First-Class Standard and Periodicals. It will not work on parcels.

How do I print the IMB?
If trackmymail.com has appended your IMB we will return a file to you with the IMB attached. The file will contain both the numeric version (up to 31 digits) and the 65 character letter string that you will need to print in the IMB font. You will need to print this string above or below the address in a 16 point font. There must be 65 bars. We strongly urge that you provide a print sample to customerservice@trackmymail.com for review before mailing. If your software or addressing system has an IMB encoder installed you can use the numeric version to create the barcode. You may also print the postnet code on the mail piece, but this is not required.

If you have used your mailing software to encode and append the IMB please refer to their direction for IMB printing.

Some addressing equipment is also equipped to encode and print the IMB. Refer to the manufacturer’s direction.

If you need direction in printing your IMB coded mail feel free to call trackmymail.com customer service at any time for assistance. That number is 888-444-9972, ext 1043 or email to customerservice@trackmymail.com.