Increased security with the KAS Mailmaster Eclipse

Print Solutions

Maintaining the latest available security features was the most important factor that led WPA (Western Provident Association), suppliers of medical health insurance, to install the newest Mailmaster Eclipse envelope inserter from KAS Paper Systems at its offices in Taunton, Somerset. It is configured with 2D barcode camera reading on the letter feeder and the exit as documentation progresses through the inserter, together with the KAS Datalog document tracking and mailing integrity checking system.

‘We needed a belt and braces solution because we are a highly regulated company, processing policy holders’ confidential information. We cannot afford to make any mistakes in the mailing of personal letters, renewal and claim documents, booklets etc,’ explained Karen Jacobs, image management team leader.

Over the last two years the company had been looking to replace its nine year old KAS Mailmaster 465HS envelope inserter. ‘Although it had plenty of life left in it mechanically and had been fitted with a barcode reader and an ultrasonic double feed sensor, technology had moved on and the latest machines on the market offered more sophisticated security features,’ she pointed out.

While WPA had been very pleased with the service and support it had received from KAS Paper Systems over the years, it wanted to evaluate the Mailmaster Eclipse against its competition. ‘We went to several demonstrations, some of which were better than others,’ said Karen. ‘Following the demonstration at KAS it was immediately evident that the machine best fitted our needs. It was robust, relatively compact compared with some of the very large inserters on the market and, best of all, KAS could manufacture a bespoke model with the security features, insert stations and pre-programmed software to match our exact requirements.’

In particular, WPA wanted to upload the information from the Datalog to their main database so that it could be accessed by other departments. ‘For example, if a customer rings to query a renewal or a claim, our customer service department can see instantly whether we have sent out the relevant documentation,’ Karen commented.

Although the Mailmaster Eclipse can insert at speeds of up to 8000 DL to C4 envelopes an hour, speed was not the main requirement for WPA. ‘The inserter is used virtually every day but we pride ourselves on our quality, preferring to operate it at a steady pace, particularly when we are packing plastic membership cards, which are quite thick and printed on an A4 sheet.’ The machine is configured with four insert stations and an overhead feeder. To date, WPA has not used the overhead feeder but it is useful for feeding small items such as business cards, reply envelopes and other non-standard sizes into the pack. Each side insert station feeds material up to 7 mm thick with multiple feeding from each insert feeder to a pre-set number or code selected quantity. The machine is quick and easy to set up and control via a touch screen which has been pre-programmed with all the configurations that WPA use.

KAS installed the Mailmaster Eclipse in the central printing section alongside three Xerox Cube digital printers. It also trained three WPA operators and initially operated the Eclipse in conjunction with the Mailmaster 465HS so that they could run live tests until fully satisfied.

‘We are confident that we have made the right decision to buy from KAS Paper Systems again. The Eclipse is working very efficiently and we have the security features in place for the future,’ Karen concluded.