In 1998 the United States
Postal Service (USPS) made a major commitment to automate its mail processing
operations. In
order to increase productivity, improve service, and satisfy customer needs a contract was awarded for over one hundred
Automated Flat Sorting Machines (AFSM100s).
These machines, when deployed to USPS field processing centers, will
streamline flat mail processing operations and significantly reduce manual
processing.
In 1999 Porta-King Building
Systems was selected to furnish and install the first Video Coding System (VCS)
room in a USPS facility, providing a dedicated
space for the coding of non machine-readable mail. This VCS Room would become
the prototype for future installations scheduled to receive the AFSM100s.
Since that first prototype was
installed, VCS Rooms have evolved into highly specialized modular rooms, while
still utilizing standard commercial items offered on Porta-King Building
Systems’ GSA Contract GS-07F-9804H. Each VCS Room is engineered to include a
“magic” wall that is structurally designed to allow for simple expansion of the
room, as additional AFSM100s and coding desks are delivered to the processing
centers. All VCS Rooms include a
minimum 56 psf loadbearing roof to support routine maintenance with heavier loadbearing
areas provided to support roof-mounted HVAC units. Three-phase 200 amp load
centers are provided as standard if requested by the center. Additional
features can include anti-static carpet, Exit/Emergency Lights, tinted windows
and many other options available to the various sites.
Each processing center is given
the option of utilizing an existing space, using in-house maintenance to
stick-build, or purchasing an expandable modular room. Feedback from those
centers who elected to go the modular route has been very positive.
“I just wanted to let you know
how pleased we are in Austin with the good work Porta-King provided for our VCS
Room. The materials arrived here at the site on Monday (7-17-00); the team
arrived on Tuesday (7-18-00). Assembly began on Wednesday (7-19-00) and was
completed on Thursday (7-20-00). Ms. Garcia and her staff at Porta-King should
be commended for their professionalism as well as their commitment to serving
their customers. Many thanks again for a job well done.” Wendell Shepard, OSS,
Austin P&DC
“I wanted to pass along our
appreciation for the efforts of Porta-King representative Charlene Garcia. She
was instrumental in our being prepared for arrival of our VCS equipment back in
October of last year.
It was a pleasure working with
her and I look forward to our next project.” Jeff Langford, OSS, San Bernardino
P&DC
“I just wanted to let you know
about the success we had in our VCS Room purchase and installation. Ms. Garcia,
who was the sales representative, was very knowledgeable and quite helpful in
both the design and purchase of the building. Without her help, we would have
missed things that were not presented to us with the site guide. She was very
helpful in getting the order placed in a timely fashion that would allow us to
meet our timeline.” Gary Powers, In-Plant Support, Portland ME