Several years ago, our busy law firm finally advanced beyond the pre-computer age of correcting typewriters and carbon paper, to actually become computerized. However, one element of our business was still in the Dark Ages – our mail handling. Although we progressed to a postal machine (the Big Name one), we would have to wait for an upgrade when the postal rates would change, buying postage wasn’t simple, we had to haul the machine to the post office for auditing, and then there were the supplies, ink cartridges, and keeping track of everything.

While searching the Internet (that’s part of my job, [grin]), I stumbled across simplypostage.com. There was a compact little scale that is also a postage machine. After reviewing the features, I opted to give it a try. The little machine is so compact and unobtrusive, it sits right on my desk, just waiting to print a stamp.

FEATURES
You are always in business – whether it’s after 5 pm or on the weekend – you can purchase postage; calculate postage for any type of mailing needs, print stamps, but unfortunately you still have to drag them to the post office. The Simplypostage mailing system is an approved vendor of the United States Post Office.

Insta-Stamp -- Printing stamps with the push of a button. This is especially handy if the postage machine is hooked up to your computer and someone needs to print a stamp. A stamp is printed in approximately six seconds for whatever denomination you set – whether it’s 34, 55, or whatever.

Scale -- This little machine weighs packages up to 4.4 pounds, which is sufficient for most of our mailing requirements. We have a second scale on hand for larger items.

Create-A-Stamp -- With the Create-A-Stamp Feature, you have flexibility to calculate and print postage for any class of mail, whether Express, Priority Mail – Different Zones – Items that Weigh more than the 4.4 pounds. Another consideration is that you can print postage without the address – some programs I had investigated would not let you do that.

The Simply Postage machine uses a thermal printer, and you never have to replace expensive ink cartridges.

What happens when there is a rate change? You simply connect to the Internet and the site updates your software automatically. It couldn’t be easier.

How do you purchase postage and supplies? Again, through your software, you connect to the Internet and can purchase stamps and supplies (like the blank stamp rolls that go in the machine). After purchasing the stamps on-line, your machine is reset automatically and audited. No hauling to the Post Office for checking.

There are two features that don’t get much attention, but they were major selling points for me: (1) You can track your postage by a client/account number (provided people print only from the computer software and not from the machine itself); (2) You can print a History Log of the postage used, which is kept by date, account# and amount. These are important features for a law firm and probably other service-oriented businesses. Improvements could be made to both of the features, like a more sophisticated report form (currently it is a comma delimited file), and being able to set the machine so that a stamp cannot be printed without entering an account code. But those are minor limitations, and we have managed to work around those. (For example, you can set the “insta-stamp” for “zero” and then the person can only print stamps that aren’t worth anything.)

I would like them to add the postal zones, and shipping options (like delivery confirmation, insurance, etc.) to the program, but these are easily accessible both from the simplypostage site, as well as from the USPS.com site.

I see the simplypostage is currently offering the system at $14.95 a month, plus $49.95 start-up; with that order you get $25 free postage – That seems like a pretty good deal to me.

The minimum requirements for the Simply Postage program: Windows® 95/98/200NT or ME; Pentium® PC grade or higher; 16 MB minimum, CD-ROM Drive (for installation purposes), and a 9600 Modem or higher.

Visit http://www.simplypostage.com for more information about this great little post office.





Recommended: Yes