FASTdb is designed to allow users to make appointments in the US Postal Service FAST (Facility Access and Shipment Tracking) system using Mail.XML transactions. FASTdb can be used to make appointments for both destination and origin entry shipments. The system also streamlines the appointment making process and provides a mechanism to collect, organize and work with close-out information. FASTdb provides FAST with the “content information” needed to meet the Full Service requirements.

FASTdb works in conjunction with MAILdb, accessing jobs in a MAILdb database just like other Monticello software modules. The system also maintains a single FASTdb appointment database to help you manage all of your appointment-related data. The user can work with information in a single job or across multiple jobs. Requests for multiple appointments can be submitted simultaneously, expediting the entire process.

FASTdb uses Web Services to communicate with FAST to provide content information including the Intelligent Mail Container Barcode. With this information, the US Postal Service can determine which containers are expected to arrive with each appointment, and they can match the barcode scans during the induction process, facilitating their “start-the-clock” requirements. FASTdb is used exclusively to make appointments for one-time-only appointments and is not used for recurring appointments (recurring appointments can be updated through MAILdb by preparing Transportation Update transactions for transmission to PostalOne!).

FASTdb also allows you to retrieve close-out information from FAST. This provides you with data pertaining to past appointments that have been completed, including the actual date and time of truck arrival at each facility. Also included is information describing any irregularities in the delivery, such as broken pallets, container counts that do not match the 8125 and damaged mail. FASTdb retains this data in the FASTdb database, and allows you to view the information through useful filters. You can also create output .csv files for your own analysis and reporting purposes.