Franking machine benefits - a guide to why a franking machine could benefit your business

Here at Franking Sense®, we love franking machines. Franking machines are what we do. You might say we're a bit obsessed with franking machines. Its literally in our DNA. So you'd expect us to tell you how much a franking machine would benefit your business, wouldn't you?

Unbelievably the question we still get asked most often even after 100 years of franking is "So, go on then, tell us what a franking machine does?" Granted, mainly from the younger generations but nevertheless the bespoke world of efficient letter sending can remain a mystery to some. So we thought we would provide a general guide to how and why the market exists and why should you use a franking machine.

A Franking Machine or Franking Meter originated in the 1920's as a prepaid stamping machine for government departments and large national business in the US. The technology was created by Arthur Pitney who had been working on and struggling with his invention for 20 years. He was introduced to an English immigrant - Walter Bowes from Bradford, an accomplished salesperson in addressing machines, who purchased a stamp cancelling business called the Universal Stamping Machine Company. They decided to collaborate and join forces to create the 100 years trading global business Pitney Bowes Inc. The first piece of metered mail, a letter from Bowes to his wife, was posted on December 10, 1920. This business event started the global mailroom industry as we know it today.

As we bring you up to date, there remains just 3 true manufacturers of franking machines in the world. Franking Sense not being tied to any particular product is truly independent to offer best of class products from multiple sources to bring a genuine hybrid range of solutions. Software, service and in house finance wraps it all and adds up to our winning formula. The continuing development of the mail business across the globe, the hardware, support and now, just as importantly, software solutions that helps report, processes and move mail across the world is called the Mailstream.

As an authorised Royal Mail franking machine suppliers, installers and repairers for 30 years, we've used our considerable experience of franking machines and the mailroom industry to compile our list of reasons why our franking machine customers have a franking machine and how a Royal Mail franking machine might make 'Franking Sense' to your business.

Franking machines will save you money on your post

If you send just 10 letters or more per day, a franking machine can save you money on your post. Royal Mail actively encourages the use of franking machines by offering discounted postal rates to franking machine users. With the relatively recent introduction of Mailmark™ indicia franking machines, Royal Mail decided to offer large mailers and businesses guaranteed discounts for volume postings. As a result, franked mail is and will always be cheaper than stamps.

Royal mail has stated that Mailmark™ will be its lowest cost option for business mail and it's available through Franking Machines. Check out our at-a glance guide to the latest Royal Mail franking machine and stamp prices on our Royal Mail prices page and see how much you would save on your post with a franking machine. We've also provided links to Royal Mail pricing wallcharts there.

Franked mail is more accurate

Our franking machines all come with a weighing scale, some integrated and some stand-alone. In fact some franking machines even have scales that weigh your post as it passes through the machine. All you have to do is load a mail piece, press start and the franking machine will weigh, detect the size of envelope and thickness of the item and work out the correct price in one operation at high speed. Whichever type of scale your franking machine has, the price for every piece of mail you send will be accurately calculated and transmitted to the meter which will eliminate any possibility of over-stamping (wasting money) or under-stamping (which will incur fines for the receiver or, even worse, non-delivery of your mail). With a franking machine you can be sure that the right postage will be put on the mail piece every time in the quickest most efficient way.

Franking machines provide increased security for peace of mind

Using a franking machine is the most secure way of preparing and sending your post through Royal Mail. There will be no more stamp books lying around the office. Plus, with a franking machine, you can re-credit your franking machine 24/7 over the internet securely. In addition, your franking machine can be protected by Pin codes, so access to download funds to your franking machine is only available to authorised staff. Many franking machines provide comprehensive reports which enable you to track monthly franking machine spend or allocation of costs to different departments within the business. To enhance this offer for certain multisite applications, we have reporting software we can supply that interrogates the devices and provides fully exportable detailed usage reports for month end reconciliations and recharging scenarios.

Franking your mail is really convenient

Using a franking machine is extremely convenient! Simply place the item on the postal scale and the system will work out the weight, price and applicable discount. The machine will then either automatically frank your mail or produce a franked label to attach to the mail piece. No more trips to the Post Office or uploading your individual items to a website. Collections are also available from Royal Mail so you can have a complete convenient sending solution from the UK's number 1 carrier.

Franking machines can save you money on parcels too

You might think that franking machines are only beneficial for mail and letters. As companies send out less physical mail and transition to more parcel-led sending, so franking technology has adapted to meet these new demands. Our latest sending solutions combine all the benefits of a franking machine with a cost-effective and convenient way to send your parcels - all via a single machine with just one postage account. For example, our SendPro+ sending solution is ideal for companies who send both mail and parcels and want to save up to 75% on ParcelForce retail rates as well as having the usual benefits and savings you would expect from a franking machine.

 

Franked mail gives your business a professional image & gets a response

It is vital to get your company name promoted at every opportunity. A franking machine can help to reinforce your brand by printing your logo on the envelope of each letter you send. This has the added benefit of removing the cost of expensive envelope overprinting. In addition, you can add unique text messages of your design onto your franked mail for promotions or just simply to wish all your customers Merry Christmas. Recent reports covered elsewhere on our site demonstrate the value of physical mail is more important than ever. In a recent 2020 Royal Mail survey, 50% of people said they looked forward to receiving mail, 88% of people paid the same or more attention to mail through 2020 and a record 96% of all mail received was engaged with. Mail is physical, relevant and creates a response from its audience. It's much more than email.

Franking machines can save you time

Franking your mail obviously takes less time than stamping. Mail runs take a fraction of the time especially if you choose a franking machine with an auto-feed system. With a franking machine, it's a case of simply load & go! Some franking machines can even seal, weigh and frank your mail as it passes through the machine! How much time could that save your business? Accurate, efficient & controlled.

Franking Sense provides a complete solution for your franking machine – its hassle free

At Franking Sense we don't believe it should be difficult for you to enjoy all the benefits of mailing and using a franking machine. That's why we provide a complete service for you from start to finish, all from under one roof. Once you have decided that a franking machine is for you, we will provide you with a straight-forward, no-nonesense quotation. If you want to finance your purchase of the franking machine, you can take advantage of finance through our sister company, Nationwide Capital Finance. It's all part of the service. We have a team of dedicated professionals available to support and help you if you need us.

After 30 years we've learnt a few things and we love to help businesses. Hopefully then you can sit back and relax! We will apply for your Royal Mail franking machine licence for you, prepare your chosen machine, set up your postage account and arrange for a convenient time for one of our in-house Master Technicians to visit to install the machine and train your staff. If you like it remote, we can organise a telephone install with a team member and our in-house Supplies team are on hand should you need to buy ink or labels for your franking machine. In the future, because we like relationships (we're all in it together), our in-house UK-based Service Helpdesk and accounts teams are there for you if you experience any issues with your franking machine or payment queries or if you need any other advice. At Franking Sense, we value your custom and we promise to take good care of you.

And that's why we believe a franking machine makes Franking Sense!

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