Address Management

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Address Management

- Address Lists
- Addressing Software/Vendors
- CASS and MASS Certification
- Products and Services

Address Lists

Overview

The Postal Service offers a variety of products and services to help customers maintain and manage address lists. Postal addressing standards offer guidance on the most efficient way to output an address to a mailpiece. These standards make it easier for customers to use postal products by providing a uniform file format for:

entering address information into address databases

and

taking out information to match against Address Information System Products

There are three basic aspects to maintaining and managing address lists:

Correcting a list:

After matching an address against the Address Information System files, correct the address list. For example, correct the spelling of a street name, and include all elements of the address (directionals, suffixes, apartment, or suite numbers).

Updating a list:

After address files are updated, set up procedures to ensure timely updates to maintain accuracy.

Checking the address output:

After correcting and updating the address list, take a look at the output address to make sure that all elements are included and it is properly formatted and easy for automation equipment to read.

Customer Benefits

Maintaining and managing address lists can offer a number of benefits to customers:

lower postage and production costs

better chance of prompt and correct delivery

reduced undeliverable-as-addressed mail

more mailpieces qualifying for postage discounts

cost-effective operation for customers and the Postal Service

Special Features

These are the main products and services that the Postal Service offers to help mailers improve and maintain the quality of address lists:

Address Change Service (ACS)
Address List Correction Service
Address List Sequencing Service
Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS)
CD-ROM ZIP+4® Retrieval Microcomputer System

- Address List Management System (ALMS)
- Barcoding and Address Standardization
- Diskette Coding for Local Mailers

Computerized Delivery Sequence File (CDS)
City State File
Carrier Route Information System File (CRIS)
Delivery Sequence File (DSF)
Delivery Statistics File
Five-Digit ZIP Code™ File
Publication 65, National Five-Digit ZIP Code and Post Office Directory
Publication 66, ZIP+4 State Directories
National Change of Address System (NCOA)
National Deliverability Index (NDI)
POSTNET Barcode Certification
TIGER ZIP
ZIP+4 Move File
ZIP+4 Change File
ZIP+4 National File

Where to Go Next for Details

For more information or to order any address information products and services, write to:

CUSTOMER SUPPORT DEPARTMENT

NATIONAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER

US POSTAL SERVICE

6060 PRIMACY PKWY STE 201

MEMPHIS TN 38188-0004

The Postal Service offers these publications to help customers improve the quality of their addresses:

Publication 28, Postal Addressing Standards

Publication 221, Addressing for Success

Publication 25, Designing Letter Mail

For information on postal addressing standards, see Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) module A or contact a representative at the Portland Business Center at (503) 294-2306 or 1(800) 285-1995.

Addressing Software/Vendors

Overview

Customers have many options available to lease or purchase addressing software from a variety of vendors.

Customer Benefits

obtain software to create and maintain high-quality addresses.

avoid the requirement of passing CASS certification tests (if "closed" software systems certified by the Postal Service are used).

Special Features

Some software systems are called "closed" systems. These are certified by the Postal Service and do not require mailers to pass CASS certification tests.

Some software is designed for PCs (personal computers); some software is designed for mainframe computers.

Where To Go Next for Details

For lists of certified vendors, ask at a post office center, or access our Home Page: HTTP://WWW.USPS.GOV.

For more information on addressing, access our Home Page, or write to:

NATIONAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER

US POSTAL SERVICE

6060 PRIMACY PKWY STE 201

MEMPHIS TN 38188-0004

Or call: 1-800-238-3150.