Division of Finance and Administration

UVM Departments and Staff Shipping

Getting Started

What is a PMC Shipping Code?

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The Print & Mail Center (PMC) created PMC Shipping Codes as a way for Departments and Staff to send mail and have those charges land in Peoplesoft to a chartstring of their choice when sent from either our Given or Waterman locations. The Shipping Code is required to make this happen. It accomplishes this in two ways. First, by providing something that can be used with vendors unable to accept the long Peoplesoft chartstring, and second, as a way to delegate your charges when they come in from the vendor, eg. the chartstring of your choice. This is where the CMS App is handy, which allows you to manage your codes.

What Is The CMS App?

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The Code Management System (CMS App) allows you to quickly create and manage your CMS Shipping Codes. There is no signup to access this app, therefore all UVM Employees should be able to log in with their UVM Netid.

Once logged in, users can create new Shipping Codes, update them, and inactivate old ones. Please note, inactivating a Shipping Code is permanent and cannot be reversed, so please use this feature with caution!

If you have any questions while using the app, please reach out to pmc at uvm.edu and we'll be happy to help!

Shipping And Sending Mail Made Easy

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Every Department on campus has a department drop location and the option of attaching a Shipping Code to rubber-banded bundles of #10 envelopes to be picked up by our mail team. Our team will come daily to each location on campus and will bring back mail to Given or Waterman to have USPS metered postage applied. If however, you need to send something else, we also make that easy!

  1. Get a Shipping Code
  2. Pack it up 
  3. Bring your code and your package to Given or Waterman to send it away!

Get a Shipping Code - Don't already know what code to use, check first with your financial manager as they may already have one for you to use! If your department requires you to create one, go to the CMS App!

Pack it up - if you need packing supplies, stop by Waterman to get what you need!

Bring your code and your package to Given or Waterman to send it away - Given and Waterman have daily pickups from USPS, UPS, and Fedex. We will be happy to go over what options are available to you so your package arrives on time! We also have boxes and packing supplies, if you need those! 

Roles and Responsibilities

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Please remember that PMC only manages the app and not your codes. Please see your Department's CMS Manager if you have any questions about your codes.

Roles fall into two categories, Department CMS Manager and Contact. All other users will not be able to view any codes and should first contact their CMS Manager for instructions before proceeding.

Department CMS Manager:  Each department is assigned to a CMS Manager who is financially responsible for all charges made when a code is used. Some CMS Managers may have more than one department they are responsible for, but there will always be one (1) person listed for each department. This is the primary financial person responsible for the maintenance and management of all CMS Shipping Codes for their assigned department. 

For maintenance of your codes, the CMS Manager can view/edit and manage all codes that have been created for the department they have been assigned, while other users will only be able to view codes if they have been listed as the contact. For some departments without any codes, your list will be blank. The CMS Manager is also the person to ensure chartstrings will VV without errors to Peoplesoft's internal accounts 80023/80025/80033 we use here at PMC before a code is used, a new code is created, or an existing one is updated. If an error does occur and the charges need to be moved, your department will need to make any necessary transfers. This comes up most often when people create a code before the chartstring will VV. This is particularly important during end of month/year journals where other departments depend on our timely submissions. 

For management of your codes, it is your responsibility as the CMS Manager to work with your own department to make sure these codes are updated regularly. Department's are responsible for any charges made with these codes, and it is your responsibility to work with your own department to put into place any procedures for the retention of any records your department may require from you.

Contact: Each code is assigned a contact name and anyone named is responsible for communicating with their Department's CMS Manager regarding any process this person may require. Before you use a code, create a new code or update an existing one, it is also your responsibility to first coordinate with your CMS Manager to make sure your chartstring will VV without errors in Peoplesoft.

For maintenance of your codes as a Contact, you will only be able to view codes if you have been listed as the contact for a code. For users not listed as the Contact for any code, your list will be blank. This differs from the CMS Manager who will be able to view all codes for the department they have been assigned. Otherwise, you have the same abilities to view/edit and manage any code if you are listed as the Contact. 

For management of your codes as the Contact, you may delegate your codes out to others with your CMS Manager's permission, but you are ultimately responsible for any uses.

All other users: If you log in and do not see any codes, please first reach out to your CMS Manager for instructions before proceeding to avoid any issues.

Common Department FAQs

I want to send a package USPS...

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You will need a PMC Shipping Code, there are two steps to this. First, verify your chartstring will VV in Peoplesoft without errors to the following Peoplesoft Accounts: 80025 & 80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002). Second, go to CMS, to create your code. With a code in hand, attach this to your mail to be picked up at your Department's designated mail pickup location. PMC picks up mail daily at each department on campus. You can also hand deliver your mail to be metered at either our Given or Waterman locations.

I want to send a UPS/FedEx package from my desktop...

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You will need a PMC Shipping Code and a PMC created FedEx/UPS userid, there are three steps to this. First, verify your chartstring will VV in Peoplesoft without errors to the following Peoplesoft Accounts: 80025 & 80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002).  Second, please go to CMS to request a code. Lastly, use the CMS to request a PMC created FedEx/UPS userid if you do not already have one. NOTE: Do not try to create a FedEx/UPS user account on your own as this can create complications and will delay your request. While the code creation part of the process has been significantly reduced, the process to make UPS and FedEx userid's work with Peoplesoft is still a lengthy process because these systems do not work well together. Thank you in advance for your patience. Once set up, you will receive an email with instructions on how to login and complete the registration process. Once you have completed the registration setup, you will be able to ship from any computer that has internet access and a valid Shipping Code.

I want someone to send me a UPS/FedEx package...

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PMC recommends that UVM employees create a label for their customers if they accept the charges to have someone else ship a package to them at UVM. UVM employees can create this label for the customer by logging in with their PMC created userid's to create a FedEx and UPS shipping label and correctly changing the Send From and Send To information to accurately show that it is coming from their customer's name/address and being delivered to a UVM name/address. This will ensure that the charges are efficiently allocated to the correct budgets as PMC does not accept packages 'billed to recipient: UVM.' Remember, you can also create a return label if you are sending something out that will be returned.

My predecessor has a FedEx/UPS userid already setup, can I just use that one?

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Yes and No. If a department userid was setup with a department netid and email, then yes, Departments may continue using this department assigned userid. This type of userid is valued by departments because of their ability to help with organizational changes like staff turnover and with groups like student labs. However, if a personal userid's is assigned to an employee's netid and email, these are non-transferrable and follow the employee, even when they transfer to a new department. If the employee is no longer working at UVM, the userid is deactivated. This system assigns the employee/department the responsible party for packages sent, and ensures charges are allocated properly to the correct budget. Therefore these personal userid's are not transferrable. Please contact print.mail@uvm.edu with your department email if you need a department userid setup, and we'll be happy to get that started for you.

Can I just go to fedex.com and ups.com and create my own user account, and still get my discounts?

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No, please do not do this. PMC must create the userid for you to get the discounts and to have the charges allocated correctly to your budget. If you try to create your own user accounts on your own, you will make it more difficult for yourself, for PMC to create your userid, and it will take longer to set up your userid. PMC uses your UVM netid/UVM email. These vendors will not allow duplicates so these need to be available in order to create your PMC created userid in FedEx and UPS. Please make your requests only from within the CMS, to get started. For departments, please send us your department netid to pmc@uvm.edu.

Is a PMC Shipping Code the same thing as a PMC Code?

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PMC Codes are not needed for requesting print work with us, and customers should submit a full chartstring when requesting print work. PMC Codes have been renamed PMC Shipping Codes to clarify with our customers, that these are only required for metered mail, FedEx, and UPS.

Why do I need a PMC Shipping Code?

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A PMC Shipping Code provides UVM Departments with an automated process for mail and shipping needs while accurately allocating charges to the appropriate Peoplesoft chart string account number. The PMC Shipping Code was created to interact with 3rd party software that do not support Peoplesoft's 50 character alpha numeric chartstring. Therefore: If you are a UVM Department and want to use a PeopleSoft Chartsting to send mail through USPS, UPS, or FedEx, you will need a PMC Shipping Code, please go to CMS

Can I get a receipt for the mail I sent out with my Shipping Code?

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No, PMC processes hundreds of thousands of pieces of mail annually and allocates those charges to Peoplesoft journals using a valid Shipping Code but does not maintain records beyond what is needed to process these charges to a journal. Each department is responsible for developing their own process for maintaining any records needed by their department.

Can I get more details about what was shipped and to who?

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No, PMC processes hundreds of thousands of pieces of mail annually and allocates those charges to Peoplesoft journals using a valid Shipping Code but does not maintain records beyond what is needed to process these charges to a journal. Each department is responsible for developing their own process for maintaining any records needed by their department.

Why do I want a PMC created FedEx/UPS userid?

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Once set up, you will be able to ship packages from the convenience of your own desk and have the charges journaled to Peoplesoft to the correct budgeted chartstring. You also receive steep discounts on your metered mail prices, and your FedEx and UPS packages.

Is there anything I need to do before creating/requesting a new Shipping Code?

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Yes. Department Shipping Code CMS Managers have the ability to see full list of your department’s shipping codes within CMS and may already have a code for you. You should first check in with them to make sure that requests are not duplicated and the appropriate budgets are opened and will VV in Peoplesoft without errors against the following accounts (this may involve contacting your department's budget/financial manager or SPA)
Mail Accounts - 80025/80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002).

How do I get a new shipping code?

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Please go to CMS to request a new code. Your department's CMS Manager may need to approve your new code, so its best to check in with them.

Can I make changes to an existing PMC Shipping Code?

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Yes and no. Historical record and accounting requires that we retain all chartfield related information for all shipping codes. However, you are welcomed to change any non-chartstring related fields.

How can I update all the Shipping Codes for our department?

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Yes. Department Shipping Code CMS Managers have the ability to see/edit the full list of your department’s shipping codes within CMS and may have already done this for you. You should first check in with them to make sure that requests are not duplicated and the appropriate budgets are opened and will VV in Peoplesoft without errors against the following accounts (this may involve contacting your department's budget/financial manager or SPA)
Mail Accounts - 80025/80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002).

I can't see codes I've created or I can't find my code?

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Department CMS Managers can see all codes that were created using a chartstring that includes their department number, while general users may only view codes where they are listed as the contact. If you are creating codes for other people (listing others as the contact) and you are not listed as the CMS Manager for your department, you will not be able to see these codes. Only those listed as the CMS Manager and Contact will be able to view these codes. Verify who in your department should be listed as the CMS manager and contact pmc@uvm.edu and include the current CMS Manager on the email, if you would like to update who should be allowed access.

I've submitted the request for a new code in CMS, what to expect:

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Please verify with your department's CMS Manager, that the code is good to use and will VV in Peoplesoft without errors to the following Peoplesoft Accounts: 80025 & 80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002). For requests made by individuals whose home department does not match the department associated with the chartstring, an email is automatically sent out to the CMS Manager notifying them of your request. Please contact the CMS Manager and confirm that the code is good to use.

Do you verify the chartstring before issuing Shipping Codes?

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No. Departments are required to provide an alternate chartstring that will be used if there are any errors during the journaling process. In the event we receive a charstring error that will not VV in Peoplesoft, the code's allowable services will be turned off and a note will be added to the code from within CMS with instructions. The note will include what the Peoplesoft error was. Once this is resolved, the code may be updated to allow services again. Codes with repeated issues may be flagged, which will require the issues to be resolved before the code will be accessible again. This has greatly reduced the time it takes for departments to get a working shipping code and start using it. Departments are ultimately responsible for providing a working chartstring that will VV in Peoplesoft without errors to the following Peoplesoft Accounts: 80025 & 80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002).

How many PMC Shipping Cards can I get?

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The CMS now allows users to print their own cards. Please check with your Department's CMS Manager for any requirements they may have. Department’s remain responsible for all charges to their shipping code.

How do I send mail to be metered?

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The PMC picks up and delivers mail daily to all departments on campus. Metered mail received will be weighed and have postage applied to each piece of mail with a valid PMC Shipping Card attached. "Did you know that you can send multiple bundles of mail with a single PMC Shipping Card? This means you can have all of your mail metered and keep more of your cards available for when you need them."
1. Separate your outgoing mail into three categories: letters within the United States, flats within the United States, and international mail leaving the United States.
- For large stacks of envelopes that need to be sealed, please stack them with the flaps down (separate international pieces and place in a separate stack).
- Large mailings, please notify print.mail@uvm.edu 24-hours in advance
- * Square flaps are not machine sealable. Please seal these manually.
2. Attach a PMC Shipping Card using a rubber band to your outgoing metered mail (remember only one is needed for each of your daily pickups). Use a card even if you only have one piece of mail.
3. That's it, we'll process your mail and send you the PMC Shipping Card back via campus mail the following business day.

How do I use the Shipping Code for FedEx/UPS?

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After receiving your PMC created userid, departments need only to include the appropriate PMC Shipping Code in the “reference field 1” when creating their FedEx/UPS label. Departments will not be permitted to create a label without a valid PMC Shipping Code in the reference 1 field.

Can I have the UVM Account number so I can give it to someone else to send me something?

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PMC recommends that UVM employees create a label for their customers if they accept the charges to have someone else ship a package to them at UVM. UVM employees can create this label for the customer by logging in with their PMC created userid's to create a FedEx and UPS shipping label and correctly changing the Send From and Send To information to accurately show that it is coming from their customer's name/address and being delivered to a UVM name/address. This will ensure that the charges are efficiently allocated to the correct budgets as PMC does not accept packages 'billed to recipient: UVM.' Remember, you can also create a return label if you are sending something out that will be returned.    ***It is policy not to provide UVM shipping account numbers to any 3rd party*** to protect the integrity of the University to maintain shipping services to the UVM community. We recognize the risk that this would impose to the disruption of services that so many people on campus rely on, as being too great and would be detrimental to the Universities mission of serving the research and academic needs of this community. Protect your privilege to ship with UPS/FedEx. Never give out your account number to anyone. If you are having someone ship a package to you and want to accept the shipping charges, our recommendation is that you create the label yourself using your PMC created userid and send them a copy/scan of the label for them to use. Alternatively, you could request a label that they create charging it to their own account and billing you for the charge. We do not accept packages billed to UVM as they do not contain information needed to assign responsibility and create a journal. If you need help creating this label, please reach out to us at 802-656-2960.

Why use PMC for your bulk mail?

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The University of Vermont sends out more bulk mail than any other form of U.S. mail. Each year UVM mails in excess of three million brochures, postcards, catalogs and newsletters. Though the basic premise of bulk mailing is easily understood, the step-by-step process can be complex and confusing. Allow us to help you understand that step-by-step process and make the most of your postage dollar. Bulk mailings are an effective means to reach a large audience at an affordable rate. The postage costs are discounted because the sender (UVM Print & Mail Center and you) absorbs the labor involved with preparing the mail for entry with the USPS. The majority of the bulk mailings produced by UVM departments falls into the Standard A Non-profit category. USPS regulations governing the use of non-profit mail are very complex and restrictive. Let us help with USPS compliance with the content based restrictions of non-profit mail.
- A minimum of 200 pieces or 15 lbs. is required.
- The mailing pieces must be printed or duplicated material.
- The pieces must be of identical size weight and content.
- Always use a UVM return address and include "The University of Vermont" in the body of the address.
- Use a pre-printed mailing indicia.
- Mailing list data files must be in a ASCII comma delimited or Dbase compatible format.
- Label lists and mailings that are pre-labeled must be in ascending zip code order.
- Schedule your project at least two weeks in advance.
- Submit a Bulk Mailing Request Form with the job.
- Depending on the size of your job, turnaround is 24 to 72 hours.