Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the principles of the present invention provides a web-based user interface for providing customers with access to a full range of business services tailored to their specific needs. The system includes the ability to request business services. Additionally, information about the provided services may be quickly accumulated and organized to aid the provider and the customer in a variety of ways. For example, the customer is provided with the ability to analyze and track the frequency certain services are provided, the quality of the services, and the costs of the services over particular time frames. The provider is also given the ability to analyze the service information to determine if certain customer quality standards are being met. Customer management is also provided with the ability to control and monitor access to certain features by its employees, along with the ability to generate and view exception reports regarding certain activities.

Abstract: A system for preparing an item for mailing includes an information storage device for storing information as a plurality of information elements. A printing device is operatively connected to the information storage device for printing selected ones of the information elements, including address information relating to a preselected addressee and billing information relating to a particular account. The system further includes a postage metering device which receives the item after the printing device prints the selected information elements and applies an indicium of a postage amount on the item to be mailed according to at least one parameter associated with that item. The postage metering device includes a data input device for receiving data and a recording device for recording reporting information including the billing information and the postage amount for the item prepared for mailing.