Sell Used BlueCrest Mailstream Direct Inserter

BlueCrest Mailstream Direct Models and Names We Buy

Depending on the year and configuration, your equipment may be described as:

• BlueCrest Mailstream Direct

• BlueCrest MailStream Direct

• Mailstream Direct Inserter

• MailStream Direct Inserting System

• BlueCrest Direct Mail Inserter

• Pitney Bowes Mailstream Direct

• Pitney Bowes / BlueCrest Mailstream Direct

• Mailstream Direct 6-Station Inserter

• Mailstream Direct Production Inserter

Equipment from earlier years may carry Pitney Bowes branding, while later systems may display the BlueCrest name.

If you’re unsure exactly which version you have, send ZAR photographs of the machine, feeder chassis, control screen, and serial/data plate.

Mailstream Direct Configurations ZAR Is Looking For

Mailstream Direct systems can be equipped very differently depending on the applications they were built to run.

ZAR is interested in complete systems including configurations with:

• 6-stage or multi-stage chassis

• Friction feeders

• Rotary feeders

• Mixed friction and rotary feeder configurations

• High-capacity feeders

• Booklet feeding

• Personalized insert feeding

• Camera matching systems

• MCS camera systems

• Barcode readers

• 1D or 2D scanning

• Mailpiece integrity systems

• File-based matching

• Turnover modules

• Alignment modules

• Sealing equipment

• Vertical stackers

• On-edge stackers

• Output conveyors

• Output twist modules

• Inline envelope printing

• Variable-address printing

• Updated computers and operating systems

A system equipped with multiple rotary and friction feeders, camera matching, and extensive output equipment should be evaluated differently from a basic configuration.

Send ZAR information on the complete line rather than just the inserter chassis.

What Makes Mailstream Direct Different?

Mailstream Direct was designed around the requirements of high-volume personalized direct mail.

Unlike transactional platforms that may focus primarily on statements, bills, and regulated customer communications, Mailstream Direct is optimized for marketing applications involving a wide variety of inserts, envelope formats, personalized components, and frequent production deadlines.

The system can combine friction and rotary feeding technology on one platform, allowing mailers to process materials such as:

• Single-sheet inserts

• Folded pieces

• Glossy marketing materials

• Cards

• Heavier inserts

• Booklets

• Personalized components

Depending on the system generation and configuration, Mailstream Direct platforms can operate at very high production speeds while maintaining component tracking and mailpiece integrity.

That combination of speed, feeder flexibility, and personalization makes the installed configuration especially important when determining the value of a used system.

What Affects the Value of a Used BlueCrest Mailstream Direct?

The age of the machine is only one part of the valuation.

Year and system generation

Provide the year and serial number of the machine.

Different generations may have different controls, software, production speeds, scanning technology, and available upgrades.

Cycle count

Current cycle count provides valuable information about the machine’s production history.

Include the meter reading whenever possible, along with information about typical monthly volume and the kinds of jobs the system has processed.

Number and type of feeder stations

Feeder configuration is one of the most important characteristics of a Mailstream Direct.

Identify:

• Total number of feeder stations

• Number of friction feeders

• Number of rotary feeders

• High-capacity feeders

• Booklet feeders

• Specialized feeding equipment

A mixed friction-and-rotary configuration can give the system considerably more flexibility for complex direct-mail applications.

Camera and matching technology

Personalized direct mail often requires individual components to be matched accurately to a specific recipient.

Tell ZAR if your machine includes:

• MCS camera matching

• Cognex cameras

• 1D barcode scanning

• 2D barcode scanning

• File-based matching

• Insert verification

• Envelope-to-document matching

• End-to-end mailpiece tracking

• Camera-driven quality control

Camera and integrity technology can have a significant effect on the capabilities and potential resale application of the system.

Personalized address printing

Some Mailstream Direct configurations can incorporate inline variable-address printing, allowing a mailpiece to be addressed as part of the inserting workflow.

If your machine includes inline printing or related imaging equipment, identify the manufacturer, model, and current condition.

Envelope formats and applications

Tell ZAR which envelope sizes and applications your system commonly handles.

Important information can include:

• #10 envelopes

• 6 × 9 envelopes

• Larger direct-mail formats

• Personalized letters

• Promotional mail

• Booklet applications

• Multi-insert marketing packages

Output equipment

The downstream equipment attached to the inserter can add value to a complete system.

Identify any:

• Turnover modules

• Alignment equipment

• Sealers

• Vertical stackers

• On-edge stackers

• Output twists

• Conveyors

• Sorting or quality-control equipment

Computer, software and controls

Provide information about:

• Operating system

• Control computer

• Software version

• Matching software

• Camera software

• Production-management software

• Any hardware or software upgrades

Updated controls can be particularly important on older machines.

Mechanical condition

Current condition also matters.

Let ZAR know whether the machine is:

• Running production daily

• Recently serviced

• Under a maintenance agreement

• Experiencing occasional errors

• Partially refurbished

• In need of mechanical work

• Disconnected or in storage

Service records and information about recently replaced wear components can also be useful.

ZAR Has Hands-On Experience With Mailstream Direct Equipment

ZAR has direct experience buying, marketing, and selling BlueCrest production-mail equipment, including the Mailstream Direct platform.

ZAR’s equipment inventory has included a 2017 BlueCrest Mailstream Direct 6-Station Envelope Inserter configured with an MCS camera matching system.

That machine included:

• 6-stage chassis

• 4 friction feeders

• 2 rotary feeders

• MCS camera matching

• Turnover module and aligner

• Sealing equipment

• 4 vertical stackers

• Output twist

• On-edge stacker

• Windows-based controls

The system had approximately 75 million cycles and was configured for production speeds up to approximately 22,000 mailpieces per hour.

That type of hands-on equipment history helps ZAR evaluate not only the Mailstream Direct chassis, but also the feeder mix, camera system, output equipment, controls, and other components that make up the complete production line.

Personalized Direct-Mail Systems

If your Mailstream Direct was used for personalized or matched mail, be sure to tell ZAR how the system was configured.

Useful information includes whether the machine processed:

• Personalized direct-mail campaigns

• Matched inserts

• Variable-data documents

• Recipient-specific offers

• Personalized envelopes

• Loyalty or membership mailings

• Financial marketing

• Insurance marketing

• Healthcare marketing

• Fundraising mail

• High-value promotional campaigns

Also identify any camera, barcode, matching, printing, or verification equipment used to maintain mailpiece accuracy.

These capabilities can be an important part of the system’s resale application.

We Buy Mailstream Direct Accessories and Support Equipment

Don’t overlook components installed around the main inserter.

ZAR may also purchase:

• Friction feeders

• Rotary feeders

• High-capacity feeders

• Booklet feeders

• MCS camera systems

• Cognex cameras

• Barcode scanners

• Mailpiece integrity equipment

• File-based matching systems

• Turnover modules

• Alignment modules

• Sealing equipment

• Inline printers

• Address-printing equipment

• Vertical stackers

• On-edge stackers

• Output twists

• Conveyors

• Control computers

• Spare feeder modules

• Replacement components

• Spare parts

If you are removing an entire direct-mail production line, send ZAR the complete equipment list before dismantling or separating the individual components.

Running, Idle or In Need of Repair?

Your Mailstream Direct does not have to be freshly refurbished before ZAR will consider it.

We evaluate equipment that is:

• Currently running production

• Operational but scheduled for replacement

• Recently removed from production

• Idle

• Disconnected

• In storage

• In need of service

• Partially operational

• Missing selected components

• Part of a plant consolidation

• Part of a direct-mail facility closure or liquidation

Condition will affect value, but feeders, cameras, stackers, controls, and other modules may still have resale potential even when the complete inserter requires work.

Contact ZAR before scrapping or dismantling the system.

What to Send for a Mailstream Direct Valuation

The more information you provide, the more accurately ZAR can evaluate the complete system.

For the fastest review, send:

• Manufacturer shown on the machine

• Mailstream Direct model or configuration

• Year

• Serial number

• Current cycle count

• Number of feeder stations

• Number of friction feeders

• Number of rotary feeders

• High-capacity or specialty feeders

• Camera manufacturer and model

• Barcode or matching capabilities

• File-based processing information

• Inline printing equipment

• Envelope formats commonly processed

• Turnover or alignment equipment

• Sealing equipment

• Vertical stackers

• On-edge stacker

• Output conveyor or twist

• Computer and operating system

• Software information

• Current operating condition

• Recent maintenance or refurbishment

• Known mechanical or electrical issues

• Equipment location

• Whether the machine remains powered

• Whether it can be demonstrated

• Clear photographs of the complete line

• Photographs of the feeder stations

• Photographs of camera and matching equipment

• Photographs of the output equipment

• Serial/data-plate photographs

If the machine is currently operational, a short running video showing feeding, matching, inserting, sealing, and output can also be helpful.