1200 Job Number Control

Operator Instructions For DS-1000/1200 Job Number Control Written By: Chris Williams Issue: 1 Date: June 2009 1000_1200_OM_JNC.doc Issue 1 June...
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Operator Instructions For DS-1000/1200 Job Number Control

Written By:

Chris Williams

Issue:

1

Date:

June 2009

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Contents 1.

Introduction...................................................................................................................3 1.1 Overview ...............................................................................................................3 1.2 Job Number Control Mode Description..................................................................3 1.3 ‘Box Break’ ............................................................................................................3 1.4 Valipost Interface...................................................................................................4 1.5 Valipost interface option ........................................................................................4

2.

Operator Instructions ....................................................................................................5 2.1 Job Number Control Modes (Job Setup) ...............................................................5 2.1.1 Not used .........................................................................................................5 2.1.2 Auto generated...............................................................................................5 2.1.3 Manual entry...................................................................................................6 2.1.4 Read from Prime ............................................................................................6 2.1.5 Read and check .............................................................................................6 2.1.6 External device checking (Valipost/IJ-15K) ....................................................6 2.2

Barcode/Label Setup .............................................................................................7

2.3

Security Check ......................................................................................................7

2.4

(Box Break) Jog or conveyor control from the barcode label .................................7

2.5 Output Control .......................................................................................................8 2.5.1 Start/Box Break ..............................................................................................8 2.5.2 Box Break controlled by ‘Batch’ (Weight or Quantity).....................................9 2.5.3 Box Break controlled by OMR/Barcode ..........................................................9 3.

Operating Messages / Error Messages ......................................................................10

4.

Statistics and Data logging .........................................................................................12 4.1 Statistics ..............................................................................................................12 4.1.1 Filter .............................................................................................................12 4.1.2 Summary Screen..........................................................................................12 4.1.3 Summary results screen...............................................................................13 4.1.4 Number of Boxes processed ........................................................................13 4.2 Data Logging .......................................................................................................13 4.2.1 File name (Job Number)...............................................................................14 4.2.2 Piece ID (label Field) ....................................................................................14 4.2.3 Appending data to log files ...........................................................................14 4.2.4 PiCS .............................................................................................................14

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1. Introduction 1.1 Overview In many mail fulfilment companies the print and mail process is now ‘closed loop’, I.e. every mail piece contained in the print file is tracked through the print and mail process including creation of ‘reprint files’ and ‘consolidation files’ to report job completion. Some companies use fully automated processes commonly know as ‘Automated Document Factory’ (ADF). In all cases of ‘Closed loop’ systems:A ‘Job Number’ controls each job run A ‘Piece ID’ controls each mail piece These types of job can be run under ‘Job Number Control Mode’.

1.2 Job Number Control Mode Description If job number control mode is selected the inserter will use a job number defined, specifically for the job run being processed, for:Statistics Data logging Security checking (is the job number on the document right for each document) External database checking (is the job a valid job, is their a database for it) Output data messages (sending the document data to a third party software) Although the ‘Job Name’ is still used, to advise the operator what configuration he is running, the job number is now:Available in statistics as a search engine filter Used as the file name for the data logs (available to PiCS) There may be many job run numbers processed under the same job name and configuration.

1.3 ‘Box Break’ The term ‘Box Break’ refers to identifying the first envelope for any mailing system that uses postal boxes or trays. This feature has the following functionality:Box break identified by ‘Jog’ if a vertical stacker is fitted (recommended) Box break identified by ‘conveyor pulse’ if a Neopost envelope conveyor is fitted (not recommended but available) Box break by OMR/Barcode Box break by batch control, weight or quantity Note that if a document is removed that would have been identified as a box break envelope then the next envelope along will identify the box break. This ensures that the first item of any box is defined, no matter what is removed from the inserter.

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1.4 Valipost Interface Valipost is a software company providing software to track the mail process from document creation through to dispatch, particularly for ‘TEMPOST’ and the French postal services. The French postal system requires that large mail providers (there are around 60 of these throughout France) use the ‘TEMPOST’ system to track and account for mail being sent through the French post. Tempost is a system that requires the large mailing organisations to have a contract with the French post which ties them into:a) Providing mail pieces where 95% or better of the addresses process are correct to the La Post database b) Stamping an indicia on the envelope that carries the Tempost contract number, distribution centre, mail class, mail sub class and date. c) Placing all mail pieces in La Post mail boxes d) Labelling the mail boxes with the total weight, number of mail pieces, date and job or batch run. There are further requirement of Tempost but these do not affect the inserting machine operation. The Valipost software operates using ‘Job number control’ by tracking each mail piece through a system so that it can determine:a) The true weight and number of envelopes in each box. b) The box break. c) The Job number being processed. DS-1000 can be linked to Valipost using Job Number Control. DS-1000/1200 provides:a) Addition of ‘Valipost interface’ as a hardware option. b) Send specific serial data to Valipost (Job Number, Piece ID, Weight of each mail piece, Box Break). c) Checks the data has been received by Valipost. d) Provides a ‘Jog’ function to identify the ‘box break’. e) Can be used in conjunction with Neopost IJ meters to print the indicia.

1.5 Valipost interface option The Valipost interface option can be obtained by ordering part number: 9108909W.

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2. Operator Instructions 2.1 Job Number Control Modes (Job Setup) When setting up the job, select the ‘Job Number Control Mode’

2.1.1 Not used The default is ‘Not Used’. This means that the system will operate under ‘Job Name’ as it always used to. 2.1.2 Auto generated In this mode the job number does not appear in the prime document In this case the software will generate a job number for statistics and data logging (and for Valipost). The job number will be automatically incremented each time a new run is started. This mode can be used where a prime document is either ‘dumb’ (no machine control marks), OMR, or only provides the Piece ID. When ‘Auto-generated’ is selected the user will be prompted to change the job number or continue with the job number at the start of each run. This allows the user to dictate where his work will appear in statistics and data logging

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2.1.3 Manual entry Allows the user to enter the job number. The job number will be sent to the firmware of the prime document channel so that the documents being processed can be checked against the job number. Note that this mode may be extended at a later date to allow for ‘Bill Of Materials’ checking. This is where the document being read at any station on the machine must have the same barcode label as set in this field 2.1.4 Read from Prime In this mode the job number is read from the first page to be processed on the prime document channel. The prime document channel is halted until the software has recognised the job and allows the firmware to continue processing. When using the ‘Read from prime’ mode the software simply uses the job number for statistics, data logging, Valipost messages, etc. There is no checking to external devices. 2.1.5 Read and check In this mode the job number is read from the first page to be processed on the prime document channel. The prime document channel is halted until the software has recognised the job and allows the firmware to continue processing. When using the ‘Read and check’ mode the software checks the job number against third party software or peripheral equipment. This mode would also be used for external database checking for ADF (Automated Document Factory) systems 2.1.6 External device checking (Valipost/IJ-15K) In the case of Valipost with IJ-15K the software checks to ensure that the IJ-15K meter is ready. This is because Valipost will need to set the correct indicia, in the IJ-15K meter, for the job number before the inserter can proceed. This checking process will be carried out automatically depending on the hardware settings.

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2.2 Barcode/Label Setup Under the barcode / label setup screen it is now possible to define two new parameters. These are ‘Job Number’ and ‘Piece ID’ (see below)

Like all other functions in the barcode /label the position and length are defined. If the Piece ID is defined and the Job control mode is ON (any valid job control mode) then the Piece ID will be the only label data that is logged by the inserter. Note that the ‘Data Logging Characters’ have no function for this control mode because the only characters logged are forced by the software to be the Piece ID characters

2.3 Security Check This is a new option now available to check the Job number characters. This checks that the same job number appears on all documents processed

2.4 (Box Break) Jog or conveyor control from the barcode label To use the ‘Jog’ (Vertical stacker fitted) or the ‘Conveyor control’ (standard conveyor fitted) go to the ‘Character functions’ column on the right-hand side of the barcode screen and set the position of the character(s) in the label

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2.5 Output Control 2.5.1 Start/Box Break A new control option called Start / Box Break now exists. This allows the first envelope of a box (Batch or OMR/Barcode controlled) to be indicated

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This indication can be in various forms depending on the hardware installed. Select the desired output device (VS Jog or Conveyor). Select the action to be ‘Batch’ or ‘OMR/Barcode’ then select the control mode as ‘Start/Box Break’. The following output devices can be used to identify Box Break control VS Jog Output Conveyor Long Pulse Ink Mark

2.5.2 Box Break controlled by ‘Batch’ (Weight or Quantity) If ‘Batch’ is selected as the desired control mode then the first filled envelope of the batch will be indicated by the jog or conveyor pulse

2.5.3 Box Break controlled by OMR/Barcode If OMR/Barcode is selected as the desired control mode then, when the control character is read at the input, a ‘Box Break Function’ will be set. If the document group that has the box break function set is removed, before it reaches the exit of the inserter, then the next document to arrive at the point of removal will pick up the box break function and the action (jog/conveyor pulse) will be performed. This ensures that the box break always occurs as near as possible to the intended point. It also ensures that boxes (batches) are not joined together or missed.

Important note! The box break function ensures that the start of a new box is identified. Using the ‘Jog’ function with a vertical stacker gives a clear indication of this box break, which the operator can see even if he has walked away from the machine and returns at a later time. The reliability of using the ‘Conveyor pulse’ is dependent on the operator being present at the conveyor to see each ‘gap’ created by the conveyor pulse, which represents the box break. It is strongly recommended to use the Vertical Stacker and ‘Jog’ function when working with box breaks.

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3. Operating Messages / Error Messages Auto generated messages

This message will appear if Valipost does not recognize the job number that has been sent to it.

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This message will appear if the Valipost PC or software is not ready or if the installation is incorrect.

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4. Statistics and Data logging 4.1 Statistics 4.1.1 Filter The filter for the statistics now provides a field for Job Number. If you select ‘Job Number’ you will be offered the list of job numbers that have been processed.

4.1.2 Summary Screen If you filter by job number the summary will be as shown below

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4.1.3 Summary results screen An example of the statistics summary results screen is given below. A new parameter of ‘Job Number’ has been added to the left hand title panel 4.1.4 Number of Boxes processed New results for ‘VS Jog’ and ‘Conveyor pulse’ are now also available under the ‘Filled Envelopes Per Destination’ panel. These parameters represent the number of boxes processed (started) under this selection. You will need to scroll down to the desired field to see these statistics results.

4.2 Data Logging The content of the data log files is identical in format to previous software versions. The changes discussed below only apply when you are using a ‘Job Number Control Mode’. If job number control is not used the data logs will be unchanged. This allows for backwards compatibility for existing installations

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4.2.1 File name (Job Number) If you are using a ‘Job Number Control Mode’ the file name of each data log file will be changed to the ‘Job Number’. In the example above the file name is ‘12345678’ Note that the job name can still be seen in the header of the log file. This is provided in case the user wants to know what configuration the machine was running. In the example above the job name is ‘Valipost Test 2’ 4.2.2 Piece ID (label Field) The label field (this is the portion of the original barcode label that has been logged) will only contain the Piece ID. No other part of the label is logged. In the example above the label field shows the Piece ID is a six-digit number. 4.2.3 Appending data to log files When data logs are controlled by job name new records were appended to the log files if the job name and date were the same. This will not work for job number control because we do not want to mix data from different job numbers With the new s/f, when operating with job number control modes, new records will only be appended to a log file if the job number and date are identical. This ensures that users can find all data relating to a job number, independent of the job name. 4.2.4 PiCS For PiCS users the change of the file name to the job number has no effect on searching or reporting. However, it now allows users to search purely on date and job number, which is far more useful to customers using closed loop systems.

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