Benefits of Postage Meters
A postage meter is a definite asset to any
enterprise for the routine dispatch of mail. It is a
professional, convenient, cost-effective and
time-saving piece of machinery. The primary issues
to be considered before deciding on the purchase of
a postage meter are the monthly mailing expenses,
the average and the maximum pieces of mail
dispatched, and the type of postages handled,
whether it is confined to standard letters or
packages of different weights. The vital piece of
the equipment that prints the indicia on the mail or
the package is the meter. Meters can never be
purchased; they can only be leased from companies
authorized by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Some meters are password protected, while others
vary with respect to accounting codes, automatic
postage reset, date advance, and the denomination
capacity. Some may also be preset for common mailing
jobs. Digital meters with increased security options
print a two-dimensional barcode. These are the most
expensive but best preferred since they allow the
user to electronically obtain the changing USPS
rates. The feeder, sealer, stacker, and the tape
dispenser units of the base transport the mail or
the package through the meter. Unlike the meter,
these components can be purchased for varied prices
depending upon the speed and the type of
mail-handling capacity. A feeder-less meter is quite
functional, however it is tedious since the mail
needs to be hand-fed. For dispatching packages of
different weights, digital scales directly connected
to the postage meters are best, though they are
priced at over several hundred dollars as opposed to
a spring scale for $40. It is now possible to rent a
digital scale for $5 a month, which is profitable
for small businesses. The payment for the use of
postage meters may be made in advance or at regular
intervals. Some manufacturers also provide
additional postage if paid in advance.
Improvements in the technology and hassle-free
refilling services have served to make a postage
meter a welcome addition to office equipment.
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