Address quality has a positive effect on the ability of your mail to reach valued customers. Cost-efficient and timely delivery of every mailpiece depends on an accurate address containing complete and correct address elements. Every accurate address allows the United States Postal Service to provide more efficient mail processing and helps the mailer avoid wasted expense due to undeliverable mail. CASS Certified™ address matching software is the first step in resolving addressing problems and keeping mailing costs in line.
The USPS, in cooperation with the mailing industry, developed the CASS™ certification process to test the accuracy of address matching software. By testing and certifying each commercial address matching software product, the USPS can better assure that when used by mailers it will meet the address matching quality expectations necessary to be eligible for certain postage discounts. The CASS certification process is maintained by the USPS and defines the minimum, acceptable rules and guidelines to improve address matching software accuracy. CASS certification testing includes many different addressing attributes but cannot test for every possible addressing situation. Each software employs different logic, so results may vary. The USPS continues to raise the bar of quality performance by increasing the score required to achieve CASS certification. Effective August 2005, the required passing score for software vendor CASS certification is 98.5%.
By utilizing CASS Certified software you can standardize addresses and obtain the correct ZIP + 4® assignments and associated delivery point codes (DPC). CASS Certified software that incorporates DPV™ logic can determine if the ZIP + 4 coded address is recognized as a valid delivery within the USPS delivery network, further strengthening the quality and deliverability of your address list. Additionally, CASS Certified address matching software is necessary for claiming mail at presorted and automation rates.
The Postal Service offers a wide range of products and services to help you improve and maintain address quality. Currently, Early Warning System (EWS), LACSLink™, DPV™, and DSF2™ products are included within the CASS certification testing process. Ask your software provider or contact Customer Care at the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) for these and other available address quality tools.
Early Warning System (EWS) – EWS is a file that lists by ZIP Code new street names that are not yet available within the ZIP + 4 product. Today, ZIP + 4 product is extracted from the Address Management System (AMS) approximately 30 days before its “official” release date. New streets that are activated after extract of the monthly ZIP + 4 product release are not accessible to address matching products until a subsequent product release. If a valid address is updated with erroneous match results, the address will remain incorrect unless there is manual intervention. Published weekly, the EWS file prevents potential miscodes of new streets that are added to the ZIP + 4 database between the monthly scheduled updates.
LACSLink – The LACSLink product allows mailers to identify an address that has been renumbered or converted by a municipality and provides the revised version of the address. For example, when 911 conversion necessitates changing rural-style addresses to city-style addresses.
Example: RR1 Box 123
Converted to: 123 ELM CHAPEL RD
DPV – The DPV product is an enhanced feature of CASS Certified address matching software. It is available from all vendors of CASS Certified software and it allows mailers to confirm if an address is an accurate and valid delivery within the USPS delivery network.
DSF² – The DSF² system is another technology available, under license, from the USPS. DSF² helps mailers identify inaccurate or incomplete addresses. Using DSF² helps reduce the amount of undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail. Its address coding processing function provides type of delivery, address characteristics, and carrier walk-sequencing information. DSF² also provides the Locatable Address Conversion System (LACS) information.
Will CASS Certified address matching software make my address list perfect? Using CASS Certified address matching software does not guarantee that your software will always produce the correct ZIP + 4 assignments. You may need to employ several different address quality tools to optimize the accuracy of your mailing list. Analytical reports typically provided by CASS Certified software products should be utilized in a pre-production environment to further determine the quality of your address list. Reports can identify if the address was changed, and which addresses did not standardize or receive a ZIP + 4 assignment, as well as other valuable details about your address list. Consult with your software provider about these reports.
What level of discounts can I receive by using CASS Certified software? Postage discounts vary depending on mailing requirements for preparation and timeliness of list processing. The use of CASS Certified software is the first step in effectively managing your overall mailing costs and obtaining eligibility for postage discounts.
Can the USPS provide me with a list of alias names for firms and businesses? The Postal Service does not provide alias firm name lists or mailing lists of any kind. There are many types of mailing lists available commercially. Inquire with your CASS Certified software provider or a mail service provider.
How do I know which address matching software is CASS Certified? The Postal Service provides a current list of CASS Certified products and vendors online at: http://ribbs.usps.gov/files/vendors
CASS Certified ZIP Code lookup tool Click on Find a ZIP Code at www.usps.com.
NCSC PS&P CD-ROM Your guide to the Address Management Products, Services, & Publications available for mailers. The CD-ROM is full of useful product descriptions and contact information. Contact NCSC Customer Care to request your free copy.
CASS™ MASS™ Guidelines CD-ROM A guide to the CASS certification process is available for all mailers. Contact NCSC Customer Care to request your free copy.
Locate your local AMS office www.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/ams_office_locator.html
Contact your local AMS office for assistance when you have addresses with street spellings that are different from the USPS database.
Publication 28, Postal Addressing Standards
http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub28/welcome.htm
CASS Certified Products and Vendors
http://ribbs.usps.gov/files/vendors
Publication 363, Updating Address Lists is a Smart Move http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub363.pdf
For further information please contact the NCSC.
Customer Care 800-238-3150, option zero
CASS Dept. 800-642-2914
Fax: 901-681-4440
cassman.ncsc@usps.gov
NATIONAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
6060 PRIMACY PKWY STE 201
MEMPHIS TN 38188-0001