• Pitney Bowes Postage Meter Dm100i Manual

6. Adding Postage Postage By Phone® Postage By Phone® Meter Payment System is a Pitney Bowes service that you use to add postage to your meter. You can access the Postage By Phone® System 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through your IntelliLink® Control Center.

A postage meter or franking machine is a mechanical device used to create and apply physical evidence of postage (or franking) to mailed matter. Postage meters are regulated by a country's postal authority. A postage meter imprints an amount of postage, functioning as a postage stamp, a cancellation and a dated postmark all in one. The meter stamp serves as proof of payment and eliminates the need for adhesive stamps.^[1]

• 3Types of meters

History[edit]

Since the issuance of adhesive stamps in 1840, postal officials have been concerned about security against stamp theft and how to process mail in a timely fashion.^[1] One solution was a postage stamp affixing machine, introduced in the 1880s.^[2][3]

The earliest record of a franking machine was by Frenchman Carle Bushe who in 1884 obtained a British Patent for a device that would print a stamp on an envelope and record postage via a counting device. However, Bushe's device is not known to have existed, and the idea was not pursued. The first franking machine known to have been placed into use was a coin operated machine invented by Charles A. Kahrs. It was installed in the lobby of the General Post Office in Christiana, Norway, on August 24, 1900 but was removed in December that same year.^[4][1]

Working independently, a young Chicago inventor, Arthur Pitney, obtained his first mailing system patent in 1902. Shortly after, he formed the Pitney Postal Machine Company, which became the American Postage Meter Company in 1912. Pitney's first machine consisted of a manual crank, chain action, printing die, counter, and lockout device. Franks'^[who?] product was a refined form of the machine he had presented earlier ^[5]

Pitney's company (and its various partners) directly rivalled Edwards Franks' Franking Company of America which was founded in 1911. Franks' company manufactured and distributed a machine much like the one Franks had presented in 1886 at the Worlds Fair. However, the machinations had been streamlined and controls simplified for ease of use. Sales to small and large businesses were good for both Franks' company and the Pitney Postal Machine Company.

In 1919, Pitney joined forces with Walter Bowes, an entrepreneur who had achieved prominence in postal circles through his company, the Universal Stamping Machine Company, which manufactured post office canceling machines. In 1920, the two companies merged to create the Pitney-Bowes Postage Meter Company. In 1926, PBPM Co. (as it was then known) merged with Edward Franks' Franking Company of America and was consolidated and renamed as the Franks Universal Postage Company, or sometimes referred to as The Universal Postage Trust.^[6]

In the 1930s Franks Universal entered the European postage market through a partnership with Albert H. Girling (founder of Girling Ltd, a brake manufacturing company) which saw them trade as Franks Consolidated Postage. This investment's success allowed Franks and business partner, Girling, to enter into other postage markets around the world.

1938 continued to be a turbulent year for Franks, as Franks Universal came under investigation for breaches of the Sherman Antitrust Act, much like the tobacco and oil industries had experienced previously. The trust was dissolved and the assets were split between four companies. Wright Post, Evans Roberts Godkin Inc,Franks-Girling Universal Postage and Pitney-Bowes Co.^{[citation needed]}

The Model M Postage Meter was authorized on September 1, 1920 and was put into commercial use in Stamford later that year. (In 1986, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers designated the Model M as an International Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark).^[1]

Function[edit]

The postage meter normally consists of a keyboard for entering the postage, three seals, and a stamping mechanism. Years ago, users needed to take their meter to a postal office in order to add additional postage (sometimes called a “reset” or “refill”). That changed in 1979 when Pitney Bowes invented remote meter resetting, otherwise known as Postage by Phone. Today, users can add to their postage balance by telephone, prepaid cards, via the web or through a direct connection over the Internet. The first counter shows the remaining balance. The second counter shows the total postage of the franked consignments. The third one counts the number of prints and is for statistic purposes only.

If the integrated scales are disabled, the postage has to be entered manually via the keyboard. Otherwise the machine calculates the postage regarding the dimensions and the weight of the consignment. Afterwards the letters are automatically run through an aperture, which is limited to the largest allowed dimensions, and the postage is imprinted. The balance-counter subtracts the imprinted value from the balance, the counter of the total adds the same value, and the printing-counter adds one. If the desired postage is no longer topped up, imprinting is denied. After running through, the consignment arrives at the collect pan orientated 'postmark up/front'. For thicker consignments there are peelable postage strips, which are manually inserted into the machine via an entry on the side.

Types of meters[edit]

Mechanical, manual and rotary-print head meters[edit]

Mechanical meters are letterpress meters that had to be taken to the post office and physically reset by a postal official. These meters were decertified and taken out of circulation by the USPS in 1999.

Manual Set and Rotary Print Head meters were decertified by the USPS in 2002. While more advanced, including remote meter resetting capabilities, this early technology was deemed susceptible to tampering.^[7]

Digital meters[edit]

With Digital Print Meters, postage is added through a modem connection.^[8] Postage is printed through an inkjet cartridge using special postage ink. The most advanced systems print Information Based Indicia (IBI), a 2-dimensional Data Matrix or bar code combined with visually identifiable characters and symbols. The data matrix contains such information as amount of postage, origin zip code, destination, mail class, weight, and confirmation/tracking numbers. Examples include: USPS Intelligent Mail barcode^[9], Royal Mail Mailmark®^[10] and Canada Post Postal Indicia.^[11]

Leading systems also include IntelliLink technology, which provides access to a complete suite of management information and USPS services such as Delivery Confirmation, Signature Confirmation, Certified Mail and e-Return Receipt. Other preferred features include Weigh-on-the-Weigh and Shape-Based Rating, which automatically calculate the correct postage for mixed-weight and mixed-sized mail.

There are a number of companies offering postage meters, also called franking machines.^[12]

Internet- and stamp based meters[edit]

While most mailers use mailing systems, new technologies are making metered mail accessible to even the smallest of businesses.

eBay and PayPal users can print labels with postage using eBay's online postage solution and pay using their PayPal account. This technology, powered by Pitney Bowes, provides for a completely browser-based online postage solution.^[13]

Other technologies allow the user to print postage from a computer, or from small stamp printers. In the first consumer application for postage meters, customized stamps are also possible.

In 1999, Stamps.com became the first organization to be licensed by the United States Postal Service to print valid postage from a traditional PC printer. Their system allows the user to automatically download and print postage directly onto an envelope or 'Netstamp'.

Mailing System Components[edit]

A postage meter is only one component of a mailing system. Other elements include:

• Base (the hardware on which the postage meter sits)
• Feeder (sends envelopes through the meter)
• Postage Scale (which weighs postage)
• Sealer (moistens the flaps of envelopes)
• Stacker (stacks envelopes)
• Tape Dispenser (when postage cannot be printed directly on the mail piece)

For high-volume mailers, a postage meter may also be incorporated into an inserting system which prepares mail end-to-end.

See also[edit]

• Neopost

References[edit]

1. ^ ^abcd'Pitney Bowes Model M Postage Meter 1920'(PDF). An International Historical Mechanical Engineering Landmark. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers: 1–6. September 1986. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
2. ^Richard C Peck: The history of the franking machine in Australia. Drummoyne, NSW, 1977, p. 74.
3. ^'The history of the franking machine in Australia / by Richard C. Peck National Library of Australia'. Catalogue.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
4. ^Peach, Jack (May 2001). 'GB Meter Franking—History with a Future: Part 1—In the Beginning'(PDF). Gibbons Stamp Monthly. London: Stanley Gibbons (5): 47. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
5. ^Page, Walter Hines; Page, Arthur Wilson (July 1914). 'Man And His Machines: Postage Without Stamps'. The World's Work: A History of Our Time. Doubleday, Page & Co. XLIV (2): 353–354. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
6. ^'Pitney Bowes Timeline'. Pitney Bowes. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
7. ^US General Services Administration, Secure Meter Enhancement and Migration Phases
8. ^'Digital Potage Meter Guide'. Expertmarket.us. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
9. ^'Steps to creating your Intelligent Mail® Barcode'(PDF). Retrieved 2017-05-30.
10. ^'Mailmark Franking Machines'. Retrieved 2017-05-30.
11. ^'Postal Indicia Requirements'(PDF). Retrieved 2017-05-30.
12. ^'Royal Mail Approved Manufacturers & Companies'. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
13. ^'Pitney Bowes Provides Online Postage Solution for ebay and PayPal Customers'. PR Newswire Association. 2004-03-09. Retrieved 2008-07-24.

External links[edit]

AW21784.RevA©2008PitneyBowes.IncAllRightsReservedPrintedin.A.S.U

CustomerSupport:0020.522.800.1

com.pitneybowes.www

Stamford,Connecticut06926-0700

1ElmcroftRoad

DM100i / DM200L Digital Mailing Systems

Quick Reference Guide

DM100i / DM200L

Overview

Key in Postage / Meter Stamp

Getting to know the DM100i / DM200L

These cards provide quick step-by- step instructions to perform basic operations with your DM Series meter.

For more detailed information refer to the Operator Guide that is included on the CD, or visit

www.pitneyworks.com/DM100 or www.pitneyworks.com/DM200 for the most current version.

Add postage to your system with as few as 2 button presses.

Determine instantly how much postage you have used, and how much is left.

Return to the

Home Screen Return to your most at any time from frequently used setting. any place.

Print Menu

The Print Menu key provides quick access to what will, or will not, be printed on your mail.

Selecting the Print Menu key provides

these additional printing options. Print

unds Menu Option

Seal Only allows you to use your system moistener and transport mechanism to wet and seal envelopes. In this mode nothing will be printed on the envelope as it moves through the system.

Date & Time Only allows you to print a “received” stamp, usually placed on incoming mail. Nothing except this stamp is printed in this mode.

8

Ad Only allows you to print only the currently selected ad slogan on the envelope. This can be most useful if you have a personalized ad slogan that you want to print in the area the meter stamp usually appears.

Selecting Omit day/date/other allows you to print a normal meter stamp without the day..or without the date altogether.

Changing the Ink Cartridge

1 Remove the scale by placing your hands in the left and right scoops and lifting straight up. (DM200L only. The scale does not have to be removed for DM100i.)

2 Open the top cover. The Top Cover Open message will appear on the display.

5 Close the cover. The system will automatically recognize the new cartridge, perform a brief maintenance operation, and return you to the home screen.

Lower the new ink cartridge into position. The printing on the top of the cartridge should face the front of your system. Return the guard to the closed position and click to secure.

Key in Postage

If you know the value of the postage you want to print.. simply key it in!

Print a Meter Stamp

Place the long edge of the envelope flush against the registration wall. Slide the mail into the meter. The system will detect the envelope and automatically guide it through the printing mechanism.

If you’re mailing a package, or your letter is too thick to pass through the meter, you may print a postage tape. Tape sheets may be fed and printed the same as envelopes.

Registration wall

Tape sheet

Overview

Key in Postage / Meter Stamp

To clear a jam, do the following:

Using the Moistener

You may moisten, seal, and print postage in one smooth operation.

5 If these values are acceptable, select

YES: store preset.

Are all the curernt values correct?

YES: store preset

NO:review values

From this point on whenever you

select the Normal Preset key the values you just chose will be set on your meter.

Setting the Normal Preset to a Class

If you define a preset based on a Postal Class (e.g. First Class Letter) instead of only a value (e.g. $0.42) your preset will update automatically whenever the postal rates change. This is highly recommended.

1 Select Class.

Set up a class of mail (for example, select 1st Class followed by Letter, followed by Done).

Confirm that the screen now shows the correct class (in this example, it should read “Class: 1st ClLtr” and “0.42”).

Aug 24 08 0.42

CLASS 1st ClLtr

SCALE 0lb 0.0 oz

press the Home key.

Normal Preset - Value

Normal Preset - Class

Setting a Normal Preset

Setting the Normal Preset to a Value

The normal preset is a shortcut; a single button selection to call up your most frequently used settings. Many customers choose to set the Normal preset to the cost of a 1 oz First Class letter, since that is the most frequently used setting. Whenever your meter is powered on, or wakes from the sleep mode, it will display the Normal preset values.

1 Key in the value you wish to make the Normal Preset.

.

Shift

the Normal Preset to a Class.”

piece will appear in the upper right of the display, and possible classes and rates for this weight will be displayed on the screen. If there is no value next to a class name your system needs more information to calculate an accurate rate.

3 Selecting a key with no associated rate will either prompt you for the additional information needed or present alternative rates. For example, selecting 1st Class on the screen above would present a screen such as:

(Don’t forget the lighted scroll keys to view additional classes and rates.)

If you are unsure if a particular class is valid for your mail piece, visit www.`usps.com

0lb 10 oz

1st Class

Priority Pkg. Service

Pitney Bowes Postage Meter Dm100i Manual

Lighted scroll keys

Enter a Known Weight

5 You will see the screen as shown on the Rate Preview card.

4 Key in ounces. Select Set oz. and Continue.

Clear

6 After you have completed the rating process, including any fee services desired (e.g. insurance) you return to the Home screen by selecting Done.

The bottom line on the home screen will remind you that a manually entered weight was used ot compute the postal rate.

ACCT: Xyz

CLASS: Pkg

MAN WT 5lb 2.0 oz

Adding Postage

It is very simple and convenient to add postage to your system.

1 Press the Add Postage key.

You can pick the default amount shown, key in a different amount to add, or call the Data Center to check your balance.

CONFIRM ADD POSTAGE

Adding $100.00

(Yes or No)?

No Yes/Enter

4 The system contacts the Postage By Phone™ Data Center automatically. The funds transfer should take less than 60 seconds.

To print your receipt select Yes.

Postage Added

Yes/Enter

Please insert envelope or tape sheet to print receipt.