Featured product: Letter stuffers

Few office work activities score as high on the scale of drudgery and monotony as collating and folding pages and stuffing them into envelopes for a large mailing. Not only is this repetitious activity a mind-numbing morale killer for the employees involved,

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As with so many things in the office and elsewhere these days, technology offers a better way. Desktop folder inserters can transform the tedious task of mail assembly into a quick, efficient, and more cost-effective operation. By reducing the person hours involved in assembling a mailing and getting it out the door, a folder inserter can eventually pay for itself through increased productivity. In this article, we'll examine the features of folder inserters from several different manufacturers to help you choose one to best fit your needs.

Pitney Bowes 5 Series Desktop Inserting System

The 5 Series automates the inserting process with advanced technology previously available only on high-- volume production systems. The automated inserting process produces a cycle speed of 4,200 pieces per hour. With optional optical mark recognition (OMR), mail can be customized for billing and direct marketing applications. OMR, combined with double-- document detectors, assures consistent mailing accuracy. The unit's state-ofthe-art paper-handling features maximize uptime while minimizing document damage, and its modular design allows the system to adapt to the user's business needs. For more information, visit www.pb.com. Pitney Bowes-Reader Service No. 270

Ascom Mailer 2 plus/3 plus

The Mailer 2 plus and Mailer 3 plus answer the increasing demand for sophisticated mailing in a compact package. These advanced desktop folding and inserting machines offer the ability to handle a wide variety of applications quickly and efficiently with fully automatic fold and envelope settings. The Mailer 2 plus and Mailer 3 plus differ by the number of automatic feed stations. The Mailer 2 plus features two automatic feed stations, and the Mailer 3 plus features three. Both models have nest, collate, and fold separately modes as well as multiple feed options from all stations.

Other features include 12 user-- programmable job memories, simple pushbutton operation, advanced double-document calibration, "daily post" function for hand feed items, and a high-capacity desktop envelope-- catcher tray. Options include online franker link; OMR system capability with grouping, select feed, out-sort, and forms security functions; and a double-- capacity envelope output basket. For more information, visit www.ascom.com. Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems-- Reader Service No. 271

PFE Mailprinter

The PFE Mailprinter combines a folder inserter with an 18-- ppm laser printer, allowing users to create documents using their normal software packages and then send them directly for printing and enveloping in a single operation. The Mailprinter is controlled by a dedicated printer driver, and it features a unique address extraction system, so a printed envelope can be produced for any document automatically.

The unit ships in a bundled configuration with a Kyocera FS-3700+ printer. It also ships in a stand-alone version that will connect to an existing Kyocera 1700 or 3700 printer without modification.

The Mailprinter will print, fold, and insert documents into window envelopes with the address on the cover letter showing through or on plain-paper envelopes with the address printed on the face. In addition to addresses, the unit will also print logos or text on the face of the envelope. It can also add an additional prerinted sheet or an insert such as a reply paid envelope, and will automatically produce file copies of documents. For more information, visit www.pfeinc.com. PFE International Inc.-Reader Service No. 272

Francotyp-Postalia 3500

This fully automatic two-station desktop folder inserter will fold, insert, and seal more than 1,600 pieces per hour at maximum operating speed. Users can preprogram instructions for regular mailings or customize unique commands, all with the touch of a button. The unit features fold-only and insert-only options and nine preprogrammed job settings. It can accommodate a variety of paper stocks from lightweight NCR paper to 32-pound bond, and envelope sizes up to 6 x 9 inches. For more information, visit www.fp-usa.com. Francotyp-- Postalia-Reader Service No. 273

Neopost System One Series

Neopost's System One Series desktop folder inserters feature a selection of preset adjustments to make the units more user-friendly and easier to operate. The System One series consists of four models, all of which interface with Neopost's SM52 mailing machine by attaching the IS1 interface.

The model 7735 is a single-station unit that folds standard documents, inserts them into envelopes, and seals them almost instantly. The model 7740 adds a second feed station for greater flexibility, and the model 7744 features one automatic and one semiautomatic feed station as well as a third insert-only station. The model 7755 has three feeders, six operating modes, and can fold, insert, and seal up to 1,620 pieces per hour. For more information, visit www.neopost.com. Neopost Inc.-Reader Service No. 274

Secap USA SI 3200 Folder Inserter

The SI 3200 from Secap USA (formerly Datatech) offers a robust feature set designed to meet high-demand front office applications as well as mailroom production requirements. The unit's fully programmable interface and compact design offer removable high-capacity trays, increased speed, and secure OMR for wider application possibilities and higher production volume.

The unit features three automatic feed stations-one of which inserts bulky items like prefolded documents, reply cards, and return envelopes-plus a high-capacity envelope tray. The SI 3200 has a feeding capacity of 600 sheets with coupled feeders and an envelope-feeding capacity of 300 pieces. The unit also has a fully programmable memory for up to 20 applications, plus counting with auto stop, and processing speeds of 2,900 pieces per hour in fold-only mode and 2,300 pieces per hour in fold-and-insert mode. For more information, visit www.secapusa.com. Secap USA-- Reader Service No. 275