STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 6 -- Pitney Bowes Inc. is providing U.S. businesses affected by the January 8th USPS postal rate change with information and guidance on mailstream best practices. Among the adjustments to postal rates, a one-ounce single-piece rate for First-Class Mail will increase from 37 cents to 39 cents, and the postcard rate will increase by one cent to 24 cents. "Helping companies through the rate change is part of Pitney Bowes' ongoing commitment to serve as a postal consultant to our customers," said Michael Critelli, Chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes. "In addition to guiding companies through the rate increase, we are also actively supporting comprehensive postal reform, which will help to alleviate the need for such increases in the future." Critelli also serves as Chairman of the Mailing Industry Task Force and Chairman of the Mailing Industry CEO Council. Pitney Bowes launched a "Rate Change Awareness Campaign" in 2005 that educated businesses on the impact of the USPS rate change and advised companies on solutions available to help offset rising operating costs. The campaign included information on presorting and postal discount programs, comparison-shopping solutions for shipping needs, accounting services for mail-related expenses, and advanced mailing systems designed to increase mailstream efficiency and productivity. "Companies of all sizes will be affected by this rate change, including high-volume mailers, direct mailers, non-profit organizations, and state and local governments," said Mike Monahan, President of Pitney Bowes Global Mailing Solutions and Services. "We are educating businesses on how they can cut costs and even offset the rate increase by improving the quality of their mail." Monahan explained that there are several ways companies can improve their mailstream management. "For example, organizations achieving 3-digit presort automation for First Class Mail currently pay 29.2 cents for a one- ounce mailpiece, but will spend 30.8 cents after January 8. By bringing the same mailing to a 5-digit presort automation level, the price per piece would be only 29.3 cents -- only a fraction over the current rate."