Anchor Computer

According to the Postal Service® 23.6% of all mail contains addressing errors. Typically 5% of mail is undeliverable due to missing or incomplete address elements that CASS™ address standardization software may not be able to ZIP + 4® code.

Anchor’s Address Enhancement (AAE) proprietary address correction methodology compares the first name, last name, incomplete address and ZIP Code™ to our 2 Billion Megabase Name/Address File which attempts through fuzzy logic, to correct the address provided. For example if the correct address is 61 Upper Main St and your records show this address as 61 UMS,  CASS™ address standardization software may not be able to ZIP + 4® code the record.

Primary Address Corrections: Includes correcting incomplete addresses, incorrect street names or house numbers, directionals and street name changes.

Secondary Address Corrections: Corrects apartment/suite numbers in multi-unit dwellings. AAE processing typically a third of the records missing apartment/suite numbers.

Using AAE we were able to increase the number of records we ZIP + 4® coded for a client by an additional 1.4% resulting in improved mail deliverability. Based on a 1,000,000 piece mailing at $0.50 per piece mailed 4 times a year, that’s $28,000 in savings the first year!  At a cost of $0.15¢ each correction that’s better than a 3 to 1 payoff on just the first mailing alone!

In addition to improving mail deliverability, correctly coded ZIP + 4® addresses are needed in order to match to the NCOALink® change-of-address file which also uses strict criteria for a match. AAE improves NCOALink® match rates, reduces undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail and optimizes postal discounts.

Ask about our additional Address Hygiene services designed to maximize your Address Correction ROI (return-on-investment).

Read more about Anchor’s Address Enhancement (AAE) services.

Every year approximately forty-four million Americans move their place of residence and/or business, but their old addresses often remain in the mailer’s computers. As a result, mailings continue to go to old addresses and not the new ones. USPS® estimates that at least 8% of all Standard Mail™ is undeliverable because of incorrect addresses. This means lost opportunities, lost sales, and wasted money.

There is a solution. The NCOA system makes available current change of address information that can help reduce your undeliverable mail. Addressing errors are identified and corrected before mail enters the mail-stream. Mailers use NCOA to save thousands of dollars that would have been spent on wasted materials and postage. In addition, valuable customer names that would have been lost have been updated to receive current and future mailings.

Use of the USPS® NCOALinkTM program reduces costs of labor, postage and materials. Unfortunately, this is news to some companies and senior managers who have yet to realize the ROI benefits of this worthy program. Presented herein are two reference tools you can share with clients and prospects: a Return On Investment Guide and a Case History.

ROI Guide

The USPS® has stated that the average NCOA match rate is approximately 4.1%. That translates to 41,000 move changes for a 1,000,000 record file. The match rate not only includes recognized address changes but also closed PO Boxes, foreign moves and moves with no forwarding address. When associated postage and material costs related to these factors are recognized as well as non ZIP + 4® coded addresses, one begins to conceptualize the value of this service.

Rule of Thumb

Following are average percentages of key NCOALink elements:

Case Study

This study is presented as an example of the savings potential to small file owners that use Standard Mail™ A class mail, in this case an owner with 82,153 records.

Mailers using NCOA will save thousands of dollars that would have been spent on wasted materials and postage that results from undelivered as addressed mail. The NCOA System makes available current change of address information that will reduce undeliverable mail. Addressing errors are identified and corrected before the mail enters the USPS®. Mailers will also receive a quicker response to an offer since it will go directly to the new address in the case of a move. Cash flow will also improve as a direct result of reaching a customer who has moved. In addition valuable customer names that would have been lost will be updated so that communication can continue.

For more information about the NCOALinkTM process, please click here.

Anchor Computer is a non-exclusive licensee of the United States Postal Service® for NCOALink™, DSF2™, DPV™, & LACSLink™.