The most complete pre-mail address updating solution.
Once setup, users gain full access to the 48-month NCOALink dataset (none of that limited 18-month stuff for our users). This is the largest USPS change of file dataset available. Simply put, it's massive.
Nothing is more frustrating than spending postage on mailpieces that are returned with 'Forwarding Order Expired'. The best way to avoid this is to make sure you use the 4-year USPS dataset and not the 18-month file.
NCOA processing does many things, but its primary function is to make change-of-address (COA) information available to database managers and mailers to help update their lists with fresh, current addresses and reduce undeliverable mailpieces.
Updating your file with NCOALink
Updating your list is easy.
Before mailing, you'll want to upload your file(s) as .TXT, .DBF, .CSV, etc. Tab-delimited with column headers is our preferred data format.
Once your file has been uploaded, your names and addresses will be cleaned up and standardized, then matched against the USPS 48-month NCOALink dataset.
After a quick turnaround, a notification email lets you know your NCOALink processing is done. It's that easy.
There are two ways to retrieve your updated file: click Download Now in your notification email...Or, login and retrieve your file manually. Either way works.
Also included in your NCOALink return data: Current, standardized 5-digit ZIP Codes,
4-digit add-on codes, and 3-digit delivery point (includes the checksum) for all addresses in your list. And of course, the most current individual, family, and business moves. Note: In addition to the NCOA address updates, we also inform you when there is an updated street name or address designation that was found during USPS CASS processing. Good stuff.
The stages of NCOA processing
Step 1: Using your assigned UserID, enter the Member File Area above
Step 2: Click Add Files, select your local file, then click Start Upload. Upon successful upload, your file will be automatically placed in the Production queue
Step 3: Your data is then cleaned up and standardized to conform to USPS requirements. As a final step in this stage, we add ZIP+4 information to each address
Step 4: Once the address has been fully standardized and the ZIP+4 code applied, an attempt is made to match the name and address against the NCOA File, which contains approximately 160 million records.
Address change information is derived from the PS Form 3575, Change-of-Address Order, filed by relocating postal customers
Step 5: If a succesful match is made with the old address information in the NCOA File, then we append the move information (new address) to your data
NCOALink provides the following benefits:
USPS-standardization, CASS, LACSLink & DPV (Delivery Point Validation)
Reduces undeliverable mail by providing the most current address information for matches made to the NCOA File
Reaches back through the last 4 years of USPS data to make sure all your bases are covered
Reduces mailer costs by reducing the number of undeliverable and duplicate mailpieces by using most current address information
Provides the opportunity for faster product/service processing through accurate mail delivery
