The Presort parameters page of the Presort Wizard is used to set the parameters that are used by FlexMail to control the actual sortation process. These include the type of containers used for your mailings, the output order of the selections and the settings that control the number of items FlexMail will put in a bundle and the number of items in tray or bag (container type).
Choose the Container type from the list.
Trays. All letter and large letter postings may be presented in trays provided that you have a minimum of 100 letters or 25 large letters per selection across the whole mailing. If you are unable to meet the minimum average number of items per selection, then bags or 'Unbagged/Untrayed' are the only options.
Bags.
Unbagged/Untrayed. For certain items this option might be available. The items will be strapped and presented on ALP's or palettes.
The container types you can choose from depend on the item format and weight. If necessary, FlexMail will adjust the minimum and maximum number of items to the container type you have chosen.
Select the ordering of the bags that you want in the Ordering list:
SSC ordering. FlexMail orders the output in Standard Selection Code order, with Direct Selections followed by their related Residue Selections.
Direct Selections first. FlexMail first outputs all Standard Selections followed by all Residue Selections. Please note that this option is not recommended by Royal Mail.
One of the Geographic orderings. Geographic order, with Directs followed by their related Residues within each geographic area, in geographic sequence. Geographic sequencing is recommended for First Class mail where you have a number of collections during the course of the day.
Despite the fact that geographic sequencing of post is primarily designed for First Class mailings, there is no reason why it should not be used for other mailings. Geographic sequencing enables mail travelling further to be processed first, therefore improving the overall quality of service. Presenting mail in geographic sequence may also enable you to benefit from enhanced latest posting times
You specify the container and bundle settings at the lower half of the page:
Create. Check the bundle check box, if you want FlexMail to create bundles. If you do not check this box, all other fields in the group box below will be grayed.
Because bagging the mailing is a minimum requirement, this check box will always be checked and cannot be unchecked.
Items/Weight. Select Items or Weight as unit to specify bundle and bag sizes by clicking on the Item/Weight button.
NOTE: If you have not specified an item weight, you can only specify bundle and bag sizes in number of items. If your mailing is a mixed weight mailing, you can only specify weights.
Bundle Size. Fill in the minimum and maximum bundle sizes. This specifies the minimum and maximum number of items FlexMail will put in a bundle or the weight of a bundle.
There is no minimum or maximum number of items for a bundle but the thickness of a bundle should not exceed that which can be held in one hand (approximately 15cm).
Tray/Bag Size. Fill in the minimum and maximum container sizes.
The minimum you specify should comply with the minimum Direct selection size specified by Royal Mail. For a High Sort mailing these are as follows:
For letters the minimum Direct selection size is 50 pieces.
For large letters the minimum Direct selection size is 10 pieces.
For packets or A3 Packets the minimum Direct selection size is 5.
When sending a mixed weight mailing that contains letters and packets, then the minimum for a Direct Selection will depend on the percentage of the mailing that is packets. If letters are the greater percentage, then the Direct selection minimum is 25 items, otherwise it is 5 items. Because you can only specify a minimum weight for this type of mailing, you have to specify a minimum weight that results in the required minimum number of items per selection.
For Low Sort mailings, there is no minimum number of items per selection.
The maximum weights are:
For 'unbagged' mail the maximum weight of a bundle is 6.4 kg.
When presented in trays, the maximum weight of the contents is 9 kg.
The maximum weight for a bag is 11 kg.