Current eMessage > Software Update > July 2018

Software Update

Drop insert refresher

By Linda Lemon, Trainer/Conversion Analyst II

Communicating with your customers is always important, whether it’s for general notifications or promotions. Drop Inserts are a great way to get your messages to your customers. Before you communicate with MACC’s Creative Services Team, you’ll want to make sure all of the required setup is complete in your Customer Master database. There are three pieces to the setup: Insert Code, Criteria and Drop Insert Master.

The Insert Code determines the number of months to include the inserts. The End Bill Date will be the last month the inserts will be included.

Once your Criteria is set up, you’ll want to run the Bill Ad/Msg/Drop Insert Accounts Report. This gives you a count of customers that qualify for the inserts (you’ll need this total as you complete the online forms). The numbers will also indicate whether your Criteria is correct or if you need to make updates.

The Drop Insert Master Editor determines the order in which the inserts will appear in the bill. The Tray selection works from bottom to top. For example, if you have three inserts, Tray three will be first, Tray two second and Tray one third.

Once the pieces are finished, you need to complete the online Bill Insert form/s. Remember that you don’t need to fax the Drop Insert Master report and you don’t need to get out of Customer Master and go to the Client Pages on the MACC website. Simply click on the form option you need through the Web menu within Customer Master.

As you work your way through the forms, you’ll have the opportunity to take advantage of MACC’s Creative Services Team. Staff members can help you design, proof and /or print your inserts.

If you want your eBill customers to receive the inserts, there is an option to include those as well. When your customers review their bills in CDS Global, they’ll see the inserts listed and can click on the View button. Getting your inserts to your email customers is handled through Customer Master. Create a group email address that includes all of your email customers that qualify for the inserts. Then, send the email with the inserts attached.

As a reminder, if the Creative Services Team will be producing your inserts, please contact them at least 10 business days before bill cut. If another vendor will be producing your inserts, please have them delivered to MACC at least five business days in advance of bill cut.