How does it work?
IPC’s electronic accounting tool, iPep, allows postal operators to proceed with all their Terminal Dues (TD) accounting electronically from the despatch and sampling information until the production of the final invoice.
Through iPep, all forms are exchanged, amended and approved electronically, in a confidential and secured environment, with e-mail notifications when actions are undertaken, including: upload, download, comments, request for removal and/or acceptance of documents. The tool covers the following:
- The preparation, exchange and approval of sampling information (eNO1/e53 – NO3/CN54bis) and of dispatches (e55 – CN56);
- Sampling accuracy report;
- Sampling planning;
- Comparison reports between eNO1/e53 and e55 to validate the item estimation;
- International Business Reply Service (IBRS) accounting (e09 – CN10 – CN19);
- Generation of accounting documents for format C postcards.
The tool also supports both UPU TD Accounting and REIMS/INTERCONNECT TD Accounting.
One of the key elements of iPep is that operators can upload their monthly sampling data and total weight into iPep and exchange the data with the other operators for approval.
Based on that information, quarterly and yearly reports can be generated. In addition, IBRS, postcards, and bi-lateral values can be keyed in to generate a yearly report highlighting the mail volume (in kilo and in number of items) per format and per mail category (air, surface).
Finally, the remuneration group table allows the operator to indicate the terminal dues rates (both the kilo and item components) per International Mail Processing Centres’ (IMPC) codes in order to produce the final invoice.
iPep is available to any postal operator. Free trials are possible.
Main advantages
iPep allows the postal operators to electronically exchange files and data while improving the quality of the data thanks to a large set of validity checks.
Furthermore, the accounting process and communication between operators is sped up with a higher transparency of the accounting and document status: upload, download, comments, and approval – fully historicised.
iPep is compliant with UPU rules and regulations and is regularly updated following the decisions taken at UPU level. The electronic statements eNO1/e53 and e55 are already supported by International Postal System (IPS).
The electronic accounting tool is available online 24/7, is not limited to a specific workstation, does not have a limit of licences and includes maintenance service. This increases the transparency within the operators’ organisation. For instance, in case of a decentralised accounting department, potential points of discussions are available anytime and anywhere in the world.
Lastly, different remunerations can be applied to sub-flows on the basis of the IMPC code or the mail category. This makes iPep very flexible for the accounting of modern Terminal Dues agreements.
User testimonials
“Thanks to iPep we do not need to juggle with paper anymore and have more resources available for tasks that really count!” – Swiss Post
“iPep makes the accounting transparent in all steps for both parties and allow a more efficient work enabling an earlier settlement of the terminal dues.” – PostNord Danmark
“The use of iPep has changed the exchange of the accounting data with a beneficial balance. The process is now easier and more reliable. Moreover, the fact that all accounting data are available in .xls/.pdf/.html make easier and faster the checking of weight and sampling data. That is a great advantage compared to the previous process with the exchange of paper forms.” – Le Groupe La Poste
“Since we are using iPep we are able to handle even very complex accounting processes easily, quickly and without mistakes.” – Swiss Post
More information
For more information about iPep, contact ipep@ipc.be.
