Latest Tracking Technology Deployed in New York

Pairing IMD scanner to cell phone enables GPS technology
 to transmit near real-time tracking data 

New York is one of only five Districts nationwide to be selected for the initial deployment of the IMD Wireless scanning initiative.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) based program will provide customers with added visibility and near real-time scan information on all track-able products.

“Until now, when a Letter Carrier scanned a package as attempted or delivered, scan information was not available to the customer until the Carrier returned to the office and downloaded their scanner” explained Operations Programs Specialist Khandokar Ali. “With IMD Wireless, scan data will be transmitted wirelessly every 15 minutes to our Product Tracking System (PTS) and will be available on the web while the Carrier is still out on the street.”

IMD Wireless works by pairing the Letter Carrier’s existing IMDAS (Intelligent Mail Data Acquisition System) scanner to a proprietary cell phone via Bluetooth technology. Once paired, the cell phone will be holstered and remain with the Letter Carrier for the rest of the day. When the Letter Carrier scans an item at a delivery point, the IMDAS scanner automatically transfers the data through the cell phone to the Local Intelligent Mail (LIM) Computer, which in turn transmits it to the PTS. The IMDAS scanner features a communications screen to inform the Letter Carrier of the status of the device and gives him/her an option to commence data transfer or postpone it if they are in middle of performing scans.

“It was a simple learning curve,” said James A. Farley Letter Carrier Calvin Kuang. “It’s a good tool that will help keep the Postal Service competitive.” 

Eight sites in New York District have initiated deployment of the IMD Wireless program. They are James A. Farley (10001), Murray Hill (10016), Grand Central (10017), Radio City (10019), Franklin D. Roosevelt (10022), Ansonia (10023), Gracie (10028) and Times Square (10036).

There are 17 more sites in the District and 500 total sites nationwide scheduled to receive IMD Wireless technology in January.

“We saw an eight percent growth in package revenue in 2012,” said Manhattan Postmaster Robert Brown. “This technology will help us further enhance that side of the business and generate more revenue.” 

New York Letter Carrier Featured in Esquire.com

Esquire.com- one of the world's leading publications devoted to the male lifestyle- has posted a comprehensive article about how the U.S. Postal Service delivers a first-class letter from point A to point B. Throughout the piece, the writers express their take on the state of the Postal Service. But the most compelling part of the story is toward the end when New York District Letter Carrier Anthony Mitchell is interviewed.

Mitchell, who has worked for the Postal Service since 1984, had this to say about his 15 minutes of fame.
"The day after the photographer and interviewer left," he smiled, "I still put on my uniform and attended to my daily postal duties. In life, it's a good idea to keep things in perspective and to be balanced. But it was a lot of fun."

To read the article Click HERE

JAF Letter Carrier Anthony Mitchell gets paparazzi treatment from Esquire.com writers and photographers during interview

Big Apple Delivers the Green

The Green roof at Morgan P & DC is the largest in New York City.

The outdoor oasis is 109,000 square feet and is expected to reduce 

energy use 30 percent by 2015.

The New York District’s environmentally proactive Lean Green Team has been recognized as the top performer in the nation for achieving the highest total positive impact (TPI) to the bottom line, and for engaging the most facilities in green programs in FY12.

When you combine the total amount of money saved by adhering to programs that conserve facility energy, vehicle fuel, consumables spending and landfill costs, the Bronx earned the highest TPI in the country––$1,765,816, with Manhattan coming in second with a TPI of $486,885.

Similarly, the Bronx was first in facilities engagement with 45 of 50 stations (90 percent) participating in Lean Green Team programs and Manhattan second; with 63 out of 72 stations going green (87.5 percent).

“We are the sustainability champions,” smiled NY District Mgr. of Maintenance James Hardy.

The U.S. Postal Service is committed to a creating a culture of conservation by encouraging employees, customers, suppliers, the mailing industry, and their federal peers to adopt sustainable business practices. By deploying a Lean Green Team in every District in the nation, the Postal Service is strategically armed to reach their corporate goals of reducing facility energy, fuel consumption and water use, divert waste sent to landfills, and increase use of alternative vehicle fuel.

“As one of the largest employers in the nation, The Postal Service has to lead the way in how to go about our business with respect to the environment,” said Manhattan Postmaster Robert Brown. “We are extremely proud that the New York Green Team is recognized for their environmental contributions. It reflects nicely on all New York District employees.”

New York Beats Philly - Edwards Top-Seller in District

L to R: Supv. Toni Parkinson, SSA Cynthia Edwards,
winner of 2012 Holiday Gift Card Contest

In a friendly but intense competition between the two Districts, New York beat Philadelphia Metro in a cross-city Holiday Gift Card contest by selling 2,828 American Express Gift Cards compared to a mere 1,412 sold by the "City of Brotherly Love."

The top selling retail office in the New York City was Grand Central, which sold 322 gift cards, while the top selling Sales & Service Associate (SSA) was Rockefeller Center’s Cynthia Edwards––with 100 gift card transactions.

Edwards’ efforts helped Rockefeller Center sell a total of 175 gift cards; good enough for third place over-all in the District. 

James A. Farley Post Office came in second with 260.

  

“I kept asking my Supervisor how I was doing with card sales,” said Edwards, who is a 40+  year Postal veteran. “I was very excited about winning the contest.”

“I told Cynthia that she was in the running, but I didn’t want her to get her hopes up, so I told her she needed to sell more,” laughed Supervisor Toni Parkinson.

American Express Gift Cards are prominently displayed on counter tops in most retail offices in the District. They can be purchased in denominations of $25, $50, and $100. Standard activation fees apply.

By selling more than 2800 gift cards, New York District nearly doubled their targeted goal of 1500 units, said Marketing Manager Raschelle Parker.

“I was thrilled to learn I outsold every SSA in New York” said Edwards, who will receive a $25 American Express Gift Card. “I tell all my customers that buying these gift cards is better than shopping; one size fits all, and they don’t expire. The contest may be over,” she continued, “but I’m still selling. Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, whatever the occasion, they make great gifts.”

New Year- New Rates- New Services

USPS customers will be happy to learn that the new postage rates that will go onto effect on January 27, 2013 will also provide some new service enhancements.

Leading the list is USPS Tracking––the service that provides customers with the ability to know when their package arrives to its destination.

“With USPS Tracking, which replaces Delivery Confirmation, there are no more forms to fill out,” said New York District Marketing Manager Raschelle Parker. “Your tracking number will be printed right on your receipt. And best of all, the service is absolutely free when used with Priority Mail, Express Mail or Standard Post service at the retail counter.”

Customers who prefer to mail parcels by First-Class Mail, Media Mail or Library Mail service can still purchase USPS Tracking for an additional fee.

Italian artist Leonello Calvetti
used a variety of maps, primarily from NASA,
and 3D technology to create this design.

Another enhancement for 2013 is the First-Class Mail Global Forever Stamp. The new stamp will allow customers to mail letters anywhere in the world for one set price of $1.10. The Global Forever stamp may also be used to mail a 2-ounce letter to Canada.

New Rates for Popular Products

(effective January 27, 2013)

Letters (1oz.) 46 cents––additional ounces: unchanged at 20 cents

International Letters (1oz.) $1.10

Postcards: 33 cents

Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box Small: $5.80

                                       Medium: $12.35

                                       Large: $16.85

For complete list of new mailing service pricing go to http://pe.usps.com/

Collection Boxes Removed for Times Square Celebration

Times Square, New York City, during annual New Year's Eve celebration

 As the estimated one million revelers congregate in Times Square tonight to celebrate New Year’s Eve, an elite group of U. S. Postal Service employees can take satisfaction in knowing they help keep everyone safe.

L to R: SMO Orlando Lozada, Maint. Mechanics John Carmitchel,
Harvey Josephowitz, Darrlye White 

In conjunction with the NYPD and the Manhattan Centralized Collection Unit, technicians from the New York District’s Central Maintenance Service (CMS) removed 13 collection boxes from the “crossroads of the world”––an area that stretches from 40^th street to 48^th street along both 7^th Avenue and Broadway.

“Unfortunately, collection boxes make a great depository for other things beside mail, like explosives,” said Supv. Maintenance Operations Orlando Lozada. “So whenever there is an event in the city where they expect a lot of people, we remove or sometimes seal the boxes for the safety of the public.”

“We removed them on December 26^th,” said Maintenance Mechanic Darrlye White. “We drill out the bolts that fasten the boxes to the sidewalk and cart them away to Morgan. We will put them all back on January 2^nd.”

Securing collection boxes for New Year’s Eve in Times Square is a high profile task, but the 83 employees in CMS are also responsible for maintaining and repairing air-conditioning and heating units throughout the New York District, as well as carpentry, plumbing, painting, welding and Letter Carrier cart repairs.

“Plus, we repair collection boxes that get hit by motor vehicles, on an almost daily basis,” added Lozada.

Deep in the sub-basement of Morgan P&DC, White takes inventory of how many expansion bolts he will need to re-fasten the collection boxes to their rightful place on the streets of New York.

“Movie shoots, parades, rallies, concerts, there are so many events in this city where we need to temporarily remove collection boxes,” said White. “It’s seems like a simple thing, but it’s a very important job.”

“With the way things have been in the news lately, it’s a great feeling to know that in our own little way we can contribute to the safety of our fellow New Yorkers,” said Lozada. “We wish everyone a safe and happy New Year.”  

Times Square Takes the Cup

Times Square station earned the Manhattan Postmaster's Cup for Excellence in Retail after posting the biggest increase in revenue over SPLY (Same Period Last Year) and the highest scores in Retail Customer Experience (RCE) in Quarter 4 FY '12.

L to R: Area Mgr. Ron Hart, NY PM Robert Brown, SSAs Jacqueline Goodwin, Debra Caldwell, Winston Campbell, Cheryl Vogel, Che-Kia Batts, Rose Lui, Station Mgr. Anthony Carlo, Supv. Valerie Vahamonde

Manhattan Postmaster Robert Brown and Area Manager Ronald Hart presented the retail staff with the grandiose travelling Cup, and immediately challenged them.
"Not one station has been able to repeat this achievement and hang on to the Cup for longer than one quarter," said Brown. "You have done a phenomenal job at generating revenue by up-selling and keep the lines moving along swiftly. So now let's see if you can do it for two quarters in a row."
"We accept the challenge and will make every effort to repeat our success next quarter," predicted Station Manager Anthony Carlo.
"We have a great staff that works hard as a team," said Supv. Valerie Vahamonde. "Our priority is our customers, but receiving this cup is a very nice accomplishment for the staff."