NEW YORK, Jan. 16 -- Oce Business Services, Inc. announced today that it has increased its participation in the United States Postal Service's (USPS) Mailpiece Quality Control (MQC) training and certification program to enable clients to reduce postal costs and improve delivery. With a goal to have over 90 percent of its field personnel and management staff certified, Oce Business Services already has trained 88 percent of its senior level managers. Through MQC training, mail services organizations can increase their knowledge of mail piece design to ensure its alignment with the USPS' goal of 100 percent automation compatibility. Oce's commitment to this program is exceptionally noteworthy, as on-site personnel, in addition to the company's operations managers, are MQC trained and certified. Oce's training aligns with the USPS course guidelines and consists of intense study of bar coding specifications and requirements, mail classifications and processing categories, addressing, endorsements, reply mail, permit imprints and special handling of sensitive materials. Upon the successful completion of the curriculum, Oce Business Services employees take the MQC certification examination and with a passing grade are issued a certificate by USPS. Walter Baransky, Chief Operations Officer of Oce Business Services, said, "Our clients rely on us as a trusted advisor. MQC certification means we're able to ensure that our clients' high-volume mailings align with USPS regulations and are therefore eligible for postal savings. We're also able to advise our clients on how to design mail pieces with optimal deliverability, enabling them to take advantage of further discounts through automation and proper mail piece design." Direct mail campaigns, as well as other communication initiatives distributed by postal mail, require substantial planning that often span 6 - 8 weeks in advance of the actual mailing date. Organizations often neglect to consider postage costs as part of this planning. Earlier in 2006, the USPS filed with the Postal Rate Commission for another rate hike. While previous postal costs were primarily driven by weight, under the pending proposal, a mail piece's shape will also impact the cost of postage. Although the new regulations won't be in effect until spring 2007, Oce Business Services is positioned to advise clients on the best ways to reduce postage costs while ensuring expeditious treatment of their mail campaigns. Mr. Baransky added, "Oce Business Services is committed to achieving greater productivity while reducing costs for our clients. Having our field personnel and managers trained in MQC means we can be a more effective strategic partner, which translates into process improvements as well as postal savings for our clients."