Abstract: A method to allow a mailer to receive postal discounts for mailing at an eligible postal facility a plurality of mail pieces to a plurality of mailing addresses. The method comprises the steps of creating an entry code lookup file containing a plurality of identification codes for each eligible postal facility according to the Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) rate or discounting and a drop ship file containing a plurality of local ZIP codes and carrier routes associated with each eligible postal facility. When a mailer enters the identification code for the eligible postal facility where the mailer drops the mail for mailing, the drop ship file is used to determine whether the mail piece is available for DDU discounts based on the local ZIP code and the carrier route.

Abstract: A method for generating a PLANET service code for a batch of mailpieces with the PLANET service code having assignable digits. The method includes the steps of retrieving a time of day from a clock source and prescribing the assignable digits based upon the retrieved time of day. Next the PLANET service code having the assignable digits is associated with a mailpiece from the batch of mailpieces, which information is also preferably stored in a database for subsequent mailpiece tracking purposes. A determination is then made as to whether another mailpiece is present in the batch of mailpieces, and if yes, the aforesaid assignable digit is incremented by a one count. This once again incremented assignable digit value is then associated with the PLANET service code for the another present mailpiece.