A new program currently being rolled out by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) automatically sends mail recipients a digital preview of 10 pieces of incoming mail.
Dubbed “Informed Delivery,” the new program is made possible by sorting machines that are already used by the USPS for processing mail. All standard-sized letters are scanned by the machines, which capture nine images each second.
“The service is free,” USPS spokesperson Karen Mazurkiewicz told Amanda Ciavarri, a reporter with WHEC-TV. “How often do you hear that? The national rollout is April 14th; everyone should have access, but again it shouldn’t cost you a penny. It is just sharing information we already have.”
“This is technology we are already using internally to sort the mail and for quality insurance, so we are just allowing people to see something we already have,” added Mazurkiewicz, in the April 10 story by WHEC-TV.
Last year, when she unveiled the postal service’s plans for the new program, U.S. Postmaster General Megan Brennan said Informed Delivery “engages customers where they want to be: in a mobile and digital environment.”
BLACK & WHITE PHOTOS
Mail recipients will be sent black-and-white photographs of up to 10 pieces of standard-sized mail directly to their email. Flat-sized mail, such as catalogues or magazines, may be added to the program in the future. Additional images are available for viewing on USPS’ online dashboard, where customers can also track their packages. Informed Delivery will also allow mail recipients to designate another person to pick up their mail.
The program is expected to be available across the U.S. by tomorrow.