Network Direction Application (NDA)
Introduction
The Network Direction Application (NDA) is designed to enhance the efficiency of our postal network configuration. By consuming the Mail Direction File (MDF) from USPS and reconciling it with our existing network configuration, the NDA highlights discrepancies, identifies cost-saving opportunities, and allows users to annotate postal locations for better management.
Currently USPS publishes the updated file every month, PB takes own list and compares it against the file provided by USPS, this manual process takes currently 2 to 3 months until re-routing happens.
Project Overview
Version 1 (V1) Features
- Consume the Mail Direction File (MDF) from USPS whenever it becomes available.
- Reconcile data within the MDF to our existing network configuration, and highlight discrepancies.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Allow users to annotate postal locations.
Glossary
NDA
Network Direction Application
NCA
Network Configuration Application
L606
Norm provided by USPS (cover DDUs zips updates - affects injection points), L606 focuses specifically on labeling and sorting instructions for mail handling, while the MDF provides broader routing and logistical informations
MDF
Mail Direction File - a file provided by the USPS (United States Postal Service) that contains routing information for mail
NDC
Network Distribution Center - An NDC is a major USPS mail processing facility that serves as a hub for sorting and distributing bulk mail.
SCF
Sectional Center Facility - An SCF is a central mail processing facility in the United States Postal Service (USPS) network that serves a specific geographic area defined by one or more three-digit ZIP Code prefixes
DDU
Destination Delivery Unit - A DDU is a local postal facility where mail is sorted and prepared for final delivery to recipients. This unit is typically the last point in the mail distribution network before mail carriers deliver the mail to homes and businesses.
Personas
- Operator (read-only)
- Managers (ticket approval-JIRA)
Business Triggers
- User needs to review postal network configuration to determine if volume is being routed in the most efficient/cost-effective manner.
- User needs to review sort configuration to confirm if we are in compliance with L606.
Business Requirements
- Consume the latest version of Postal’s Mail Direction File when it is published by USPS. A new MDF is usually published every month.
- Perform reconciliation activities on the MDF once it has been consumed.
- Provide a download link to the latest copy of the raw MDF file, as well as download links to past MDF files that were consumed within the last 6 months.
- Consume the latest version of the L606 when it is published by USPS.
- Reconcile L606 data with our internal sort scheme and call out discrepancies.
- Users with access to the app will receive an email notification when a new MDF becomes available in NDA.
- Will alert users upon login if a new MDF is available and has not been reviewed.
- Users will be able to mark an MDF as reviewed once they have finished analyzing the impacts on our network configuration.
- Will contain a network reconciliation feature.
- Identify all ZIP codes that PB delivers to.
- Identify at what level (DDU, SCF, NDC) volume for that ZIP code is currently injected.
- Will contain L606 information for ZIPs that inject at DDU level.
- Operator will create a ticket to be confirmed and approved by Manager.
Field Requirements
- ZIP Code: Show what sort code is assigned to the ZIP.
- Sort Code: Users should be able to annotate the sort configuration.
- Other ZIPs currently assigned to the same Sort Code: List other ZIP codes currently assigned to the same Sort.
- L606: Show associated Label Container To value and other Destination ZIPs tied to it according to the L606.
- NDC: Indicate what entry-level volume is currently being injected.
- Facility Name: Hyperlink to display all ZIP codes currently injecting at that facility.
- DSK: Call out when a DSK does not currently exist in NGScore and create a Jira ticket automatically.
- Facility Address
- Daily Volume (average)
- Daily Postal Cost (average)
- Daily Transportation Cost (average)
- Daily Total Cost (average)
- Notes: Editable by Operators, with automatic appending of the Operator’s name and date.
- Last Updated
Output When User Re-Routes Volume
- Change the postal injection point for a given ZIP code.
- Make changes to multiple ZIP codes before saving changes.
- Present a summarized view of all changes made, and allow user to confirm or reject the changes.
- Automatically generate a Jira ticket within NCA backlog with the relevant details for every PO change.
- Provide a view showing all active Jira tickets created through the app.
Output When User Creates a New Post Office
- Create a new PO in the back end by generating a Jira ticket via NDA.
- Present a summarized view of the change being made, and allow user to confirm or reject the change.
- Automatically generate a Jira ticket within NCA backlog with the relevant details.
Conclusion
The Network Direction Application (NDA) aims to streamline postal network management by providing a centralized platform for reviewing, reconciling, and annotating postal data. This project will improve efficiency and compliance, ultimately leading to cost savings and better operational control.
