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The MailPrinter attaches to your existing NT or AS400 network to provide new and unrivalled levels of “Print to Mail” services for your users.Welcome to the very first edition of the MailPrinter Newsletter. In the past few months there have been a number of developments that have moved the product forward and we feel that these are worth sharing with you. |
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PostExpo in GenevaJohn Woods and Clive Webb manned PFE's stand for October's International PostExpo 2000 event in Geneva, Switzerland. Prime focus was firmly on the MailPrinter via two fully configured units. The event was very well attended and there was significant interest in PFE's stand from postal authorities and companies from around the world.John Woods, PFE's Export Director was a main speaker at the prestigious delegate conference where his topic "The Future Vision for Mail" was very well received. John also acted as Moderator for the full day of presentations and was able to make contact with a host of leading speakers. | ||
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Recent MailPrinter SitesThe MailPrinter has a broad range of appeal and has been sold into a wide range of Customer sites. The following are some recent examples: And lots more including:
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Enhanced SoftwareIn July we released the latest V1.13 of the driver and firmware software. This addressed several issues raised by the numerous customer installations around the world. We are pleased to say that the product is now on a very firm and reliable footing with all the major issues now resolved. The latest software can be downloaded
IBM's AS400 Widens Appeal
The MailPrinter can now be interfaced with IBM's AS400 minicomputer system. This is IBM's workhorse "Departmental" computer system used in many corporations and banks throughout the world. The MailPrinter works alongside InterMate's InterForm400 electronic form management software. This provides the necessary PFE Codeline to drive the MailPrinter.
Here in the UK we are working with the two UK InterMate agents SpaceTec Ltd and TradePoint Systems Ltd to provide this technology. Thus far this has resulted in sales to the Portuguese bank Banco Totta and the Bank of Kuwait. Further targeted campaigns to these IBM AS400 corporate Customers are planned for the future. | ||
Windows 2000There are no immediate plans to implement a Windows 2000 version of the MailPrinter Driver. However, for customers that require a Windows 2000 implementation there are the following options. These depend on using the Mode 1 method of operation for the MailPrinter (ie not using the Standard Driver).Use a Windows 2000 version of NewLeaf software. As PrintSoft has developed a specific Mode 1 version for the MailPrinter this is a true Windows 2000 implementation. Use the FormLogix IPC4 unit. This is implemented as a Windows 2000 release and as such can be claimed to be a fully compliant Windows 2000 offering.
Bulk window Envelope FeedA high capacity window envelope feeder is now available on special order. This replaces the existing feed and can take approximately 250 envelopes.This enables customers to use the MailPrinter for High Volume Window envelope production. |
Sage Accounting SoftwareIf we want to get the MailPrinter to work with off the shelf application packages we usually have to rely on them working with us to add the requisite PFE Codeline to drive the MailPrinter.However, testing has shown that Sage Accounting software allows the end user to customise all their major internal form layouts. These tests were carried out on their Sage Line 50 and 100 Accounting Systems. It would appear that this is a feature that is common throughout their range. Further tests are planned for their Payroll Systems. This means that it is relatively easy to add the PFE Codeline to these layouts. This now means that Sage Accounts documents, such as an Invoice or Statement can be sent directly to the MailPrinter for printing and enveloping. We are now in the process of looking for suitable Sage Partners to develop and publicise this enhanced capability further. Turning over a NewLeafPFE are pleased to announce a strategic partnership with the PrintSoft Group based in the Netherlands. PrintSoft has a world class reputation for providing electronic printer software solutions.Recent trends show that there is a strong desire in the industry to move towards highly focused and targeted one to one direct mail. This demands systems that allow every letter coming off the MailPrinter to be totally unique from the rest. Microsoft Word goes some way to doing this but it can only ever merge the data with a standard letter. NewLeaf from PrintSoft allows each and every component of a mail piece to be as flexible and unique as possible. The software does this by placing simple conditional logic behind any graphic image, text or data on the page. This means that if we were sending mail shots to car owners asking them to come in for a service for example we could personalise the text for a BMW owner as distinct to an Audi owner. Likewise we could show a picture of their specific model if required based on a conditional logic statement. It is planned to ship a copy of NewLeaf software with each MailPrinter and allow the customer to register with PrintSoft for maintenance and support as required and it doesn’t stop there. Newleaf can attach to the clients database to provide statement and invoice production
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Digital Marks
The MailPrinter has been interfaced with E-Stamp software specifically for the USA market. E-Stamp provides one of the fastest, easiest and most convenient ways to buy and use postage via the internet. The software allows the MailPrinter to print the digital post mark provided by the E-Stamp system software. Not only this but it allows the stamp to be printed on a non-window envelope.
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Address Not On DocumentThere are instances where the customer does not want the address to appear on the document being enveloped. The problem is that we need the address at a known position on the page for addressing purposes. Up till now to get around this we have been placing the address on the page to be printed in a white font. This is used but not printed. We cannot use this method for NT as NT ignores the white text definition and prints the text. We are exploring a workaround to this by using a set of special fonts from PrintSoft. |
Intelligent Print
The ideal solution would be for the Customer to use their system in the same way at present but somehow add the Codeline. In reality they simply want to press the same old Invoice Print button and make use the MailPrinter. In practice the only way to achieve this is to install a device that intercepts the print stream sent by the application prior to it getting to the printer. This print file can then be manipulated and reformatted to provide enhanced electronic output forms whilst at the same time allowing the much needed PFE Codeline to be added. PFE have formed a strategic partnership with DataTrade's FormLogix group to provide this facility using their IPC4 Intelligent Print Controller Unit. This self contained "black box" unit plugs into the users network and contains all the software necessary to develop the requisite forms and both control and manage the network printers. |
Moving with the TimesPFE partnered with Kyocera to develop the original MailPrinter concept. As you know the MailPrinter is designed and developed around the Kyocera 3700 laser printer model range.
This in no way affects existing Customers as both Kyocera and PFE are committed to ensure parts and consumables are available to see out the life of any installed machines. |
There are two typical scenarios into which it has proved inherently difficult to sell a MailPrinter solution. The first is where the Customer is using off the shelf software that does not allow us too readily enter the PFE Codeline. The second is where the Customer has an in-house bespoke computer system that he does not want to amend, or indeed may not have the resources to amend to add the requisite PFE Codeline.
