%%3800_POSTNET

This system variable returns the 38 characters to be used with a particular POSTNET™ font to print a delivery point barcode (DPBC) on an IBM Model 3800 printer.

Note: Use %%POSTNET if you use Model 3800 printers in full AFP mode. If you use Model 3800 printers in compatibility mode (240 dpi), use %%COMP_POSTNET.

For compatibility with 3800 printers, EngageOne™ Enrichment adds two alphabetic characters to each number to be an EBCDIC representation of the POSTNET™ barcode, as follows:

Table 1. Characters Added for Compatibility with 3800 Printers
To the number EngageOne™ Enrichment adds
1 BC
2 DE
3 FG
4 HI
5 JK
6 LM
7 NO
8 PQ
9 RS
0 TU

In addition, EngageOne™ Enrichment uses A as the leading framing character for the POSTNET™ barcode and Z as the trailing framing character. For example, the %%3800_POSTNET value for 40503-2793-02 is:

A4HI0TU5JK0TU3FG2DE7NO9RS3FG0TU2DEXXXZ

where XXX is the one-digit checksum and its accompanying alphabetic characters. This allows users to use a 3800 font to translate the 38 characters into the actual POSTNET™ barcode.

Valid in Control File Tags

This system variable is valid in the Control File when used in the following tags.

  • <ADDPART>
  • <FIELD> (with field replace, meaning the [action] parameter is set to R)
  • <SIDEPART>
  • <SORTPART>

Valid in Rule File Sections

This system variable is valid in the following Rule File sections.

  • Document
  • Presorted
  • Page