Abstract: A user interface associated with a print stream processing software tool allows a user define a print stream process application by “drag and drop” interaction with the user interface. Actions may be inserted in an action list by “dragging” items from a pallet to an action list icon. Attributes of the actions may be “dragged” from an input file icon. The resulting actions may further be defined by “dragging” objects created by the actions to an output file icon. Rules to process a print stream are generated from the action list.

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.