Method for managing intelligent mail tracking codes for multiple mailers

A computer implemented method for utilizing mail tracking identification codes to facilitate automated mail tracking services, the method comprising:

• submitting a request to a remote server for a block of mail tracking identification codes;
• receiving and storing the block of mail tracking identification codes sent in response to the request;
• associating individual mail tracking identification codes from the block with individual mail items in a user's mail file;
• updating a record to indicate a remaining unused portion of the stored block of mail tracking identification codes;
• encoding mail tracking barcodes based on the individual mail tracking identification codes associated with the individual mail items;
• updating the user's mail file to indicate mail tracking identification codes for the individual mail items;
• applying the encoded mail tracking barcodes on corresponding individual mail items;
• uploading information from the user's mail file to the remote server indicating identification codes applied to mail items for tracking;
• and
• receiving mail tracking data from the remote server for mail items with the mail tracking barcodes.

A computer implemented method for managing mail tracking identification codes for a plurality of mailing customers receiving automated mail tracking services, the method comprising:

• maintaining a master list, at a service computer, of identification codes that have been provided to customers;
• receiving a request at the service computer from a customer's computer over a network for a block of identification codes;
• generating a block of identification codes at the service computer, the step of generating including referring to the master list to determine identification codes that are not being used by other customers;
• transmitting the block of identification codes from the service computer to the customer's computer;
• updating the master list to identify the customer and the corresponding block of identification codes;
• receiving and storing the block of identification codes at the customer's computer;
• associating individual identification codes from the block with individual mail items in a user's mail file at the user's computer;
• updating a record at the user's computer to indicate a remaining unused portion of the stored block identification codes;
• encoding mail tracking barcodes at the user's computer based on the individual identification codes associated with the individual mail items;
• updating the user's mail file at the user's computer to indicate individual identification codes for the individual mail items;
• applying the encoded mail tracking barcodes to corresponding individual mail items;
• uploading information from the user's mail file at the user's computer to the service computer, the information indicating identification codes applied to mail items for tracking;
• and
• providing mail tracking data, from the service computer to the customer's computer, for mail using the identification codes in the applied tracking barcodes.