USPS IMSB Tool Alternatives

Navigating the complexities of mailing solutions can be a daunting task, especially for small businesses aiming for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The USPS Intelligent Mail Small Business (IMSB) Tool is one such solution that many have turned to for managing their mailing needs. However, as businesses grow and their requirements evolve, exploring alternatives becomes essential. This article delves into various alternatives to the USPS IMSB tool, helping you find the right fit for your small business.

Understanding USPS IMSB

USPS Intelligent mail small business (IMSB) tool for self-mailing

Before diving into alternatives, let's briefly examine what the USPS IMSB tool offers. The Intelligent Mail Small Business Tool is designed to assist small businesses in creating and managing their mailings. It provides users with the ability to generate Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMb), track mailings, and streamline the process of sending bulk mail.

While it serves as a valuable tool, some businesses might find that it lacks certain features or flexibility. As a result, exploring other options can open the door to improved functionality and efficiency.

Limitations of the USPS IMSB Tool

Feature Constraints

The USPS IMSB tool, while effective, comes with certain limitations. It primarily focuses on generating barcodes and tracking mail, which might not be sufficient for businesses seeking more comprehensive solutions. For example, if you need advanced reporting, detailed analytics, or integration with other business systems, you might find the IMSB tool lacking.

Scalability Challenges

As your business grows, so do your mailing needs. The USPS IMSB tool is tailored for small businesses, and as such, might not scale effectively for larger operations. If your business anticipates significant growth or already handles a large volume of mail, considering more scalable alternatives is crucial.

Exploring Alternatives to USPS IMSB

Finding the right alternative involves evaluating your business’s unique requirements and matching them with available solutions. Here are some notable alternatives to consider:

1. AccuZIP6 Mailing Software

AccuZIP6 mailing software is a popular choice for businesses looking to streamline their data hygiene and mailing, and for those who need an end-to-end solution to handling all aspects of mailing up until BMEU drop-off. It provides a comprehensive suite of features, including address verification, NCOALink move update processing, duplicate detection, postal presorting, report generation and address printing and exporting in presort order.

Key Features:

CASS Certified address validation with NCOALink move update processing
Perform Local Entry, SCF, NDC, and DDU dropping in presorts
Database management
Presort for First Class, Periodicals, Marketing Mail, and Bound Printed Matter
Start and stop at any point and pick up where you left off with no time-outs

2. AccuZIP Pay Per Use Mailing Service

If you're only mailing a few times in a year but you have a mailing permit and cannot afford mailing software, the AccuZIP Pay Per Use self-service portal is a great alternative to the IMSB tool, since it includes NCOALink move update processing. Having the ability to send mail to the intended recipient, even when they move, is something you cannot do with IMSB.

Key Features:

No account creation or subscription
Batch processing for high-volume data hygiene
Use the service for CASS+NCOA or Data hygiene with postal presorting
Simple to use, form-based page
Automatic maildat and mail merge file creation
Very low pricing ($2 - $11 for up to 10,000 records)
Purchase targeted mailing lists on the same page for $0.03 per record

3. Locate a Mail Service Provider in your area

If you don't have the ability to print and tray your mail or to deliver to the post office and you don't want to pay for USPS permits, hiring a mail service provider to take care of all aspects of the mailing is your best bet. Your local print shop is often a mail service provider as well, and they'll have the mail permits necessary to handle your mailing and pass along the lowest postage rates to you.

Key Features:

Rely on the expertise of professionals
No permit to purchase
No manual labor

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Alternative

When evaluating alternatives to the USPS IMSB tool, consider the following factors to ensure you select the best fit for your business:

Cost-Effectiveness

Evaluate the pricing structure of each alternative. Consider not only the subscription or usage fees but also any additional costs for features or integrations. Choose a solution that offers value without exceeding your budget.

Identify the services missing from IMSB

The IMsb Tool is not designed for use by Mail Service Providers who prepare mail on behalf of others. Other options to take advantage of Full-Service and Intelligent Mail barcode benefits are to contact a Software Vendor or Mail Service Provider (MSP).

Top 5 reasons for not using the IMSB tool

The IMsb tool is for small businesses who wish to prepare mailings on their own behalf and is NOT designed for Mail Service Providers who prepare mailings on behalf of clients
Cannot perform client mailings of over 5,000 pieces (which goes back to Reason 1)
Cannot use customer's permit
Does not perform NCOALink® move update processing
Cannot Correct Undeliverable Addresses

A List of certified software vendors is available on PostalPro at: Certified Full-Service Vendor Detailed List | PostalPro

A List of certified MSPs is available on PostalPro at: Mail Service Provider (MSP) - Full-Service Certified Mailers | PostalPro (usps.com)

User-Friendliness

Choose a solution with an intuitive interface that your team can easily learn. A user-friendly platform reduces the learning curve and ensures that your staff can maximize its potential quickly. Choose a software that provides free, personal technical support in addition to training videos and documentation, since training videos cannot answer questions.

Support and Resources

Consider the level of customer support and resources offered by each provider. Reliable support and access to helpful resources can make a significant difference, especially when troubleshooting issues or learning new features.

Your technical support should include:

Free personal training through a screen-sharing service
Free coaching walk-throughs to help build efficient, smart habits
Support through a variety of options, such as live chat, telephone, and email
Easily accessible frequently asked questions or technotes and a chatbot for assistance during non-business hours

Conclusion

While the USPS IMSB tool provides a solid foundation for small business mailing needs, exploring alternatives can unlock additional features and scalability for growing operations. Whether you opt for AccuZIP6 mailing software, AccuZIP Pay Per Use, or hiring a mail service provider from a print shop, the key is to align your choice with your business objectives and mailing requirements.

By choosing the right alternative, you can enhance your mailing efficiency, improve tracking capabilities, and ultimately, better serve your customers. Make an informed decision by considering your business’s unique needs, and you’ll be well on your way to optimizing your mailing processes.