Demystifying Down Steam Access (DSA)

25th May 2011

Over the last seven years Down Stream Access (DSA) providers have swept into the mail distribution market, but what do they offer and can their services really deliver benefits for your organisation? We demystify DSA here. 

In 2004 the mail distribution market re-regulated opening up to allow third-party providers, in addition to Royal Mail, to carry mail on behalf of organisations.

Today a number of third-parties – or Down Stream Access (DSA) providers as they are known – collect, sort and process mail which is then delivered to Royal Mail Inward Mailing Centres (IMCs) for 'final mile' delivery by Royal Mail postmen and women.

The introduction of DSAs has created competition in the mail processing marketplace, which in turn has driven down end user distribution costs significantly for some.

At Prolog Print Media, as a volume distributor of payslips, total reward statements and transactional business documents we recognise the cost savings that can be offered to many of our outsource printing clients by using DSAs. We have therefore explored the options and now advise our clients, not only on the most cost effective options but whether their mailing is appropriate for a DSA or more traditional Royal Mail route.

We offer two processes via our DSA provider: Mailsorted – for single mailings of 4000 items or more despatched together and Non-mailsorted – for mailings below 4000 items. 

To outline how the DSA process works with Prolog Print Media's DSA provider – and for guidelines on mail delivery schedules for UK mail – click here to view a Mailsorted process or here for Non-mailsorted process.

If you would like to know more about Prolog Print Media's outsourced printing services and DSA distribution call 01246 543000 or email us here.

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