Database Hygiene
Cleaning your database before you start printing isn’t just a good idea — it’s a U.S. Postal Service requirement.
To qualify your mailing project for the optimal postal discounts, we provide CASS certification on all addressing we process for the UNT campus. We also offer NCOA certification for an additional charge.
Common Database Problems:
- Duplicate records
- Data entered into wrong information fields
- Incomplete addresses
- Wrong ZIP codes or ZIP plus 4 extension missing
- Wrong state
CASS Certification (Coding Accuracy Support System) - Pre-Mailing
The CASS certification corrects minor problems in most database files. It catches common mistakes such as those listed above. It does not guarantee that John Smith still lives at the address you have or that the address is real. What CASS certification does accomplish is saving you money by not printing too many items based off your list, and it saves wasted postage from bad or incorrectly entered addresses.
DPV (Delivery Point Verification) - Pre-Mailing
DPV confirms the deliver ability of addresses on your mailing list. While the standard address correction process matches an address only to a valid range of addresses DPV confirms that the specific address exists and the USPS is currently delivering to it.
LACS (Locatable Address Conversion System) - Pre-Mailing
In order for 911 emergency services to find addresses more easily, all Rural Route addresses are being converted to street names and addresses. In some cases, this process will also rename and or renumber existing street names and numbers. LACS will update rural route addresses to street addresses as they are assigned.
NCOA Certification (National Change of Address) - Pre-Mailing
The NCOA certification corrects errors on a larger scale. This hygiene program not only checks addresses, but matches names to new addresses of those people in your list who have moved. It will generate 3 files: good addresses, updated address of those who have moved in the last 90 days, and undeliverable addresses. There is an additional cost based on per thousand quantities, call either UNT Mail Services or Printing Services for more information.
Ancillary Service Endorsements - Post-Mailing
Ancillary service endorsements are used by mailers to request an addressee’s new address and to provide the USPS with instructions on how to handle undeliverable-as-addressed pieces. We are required by the USPS to use one of the service endorsements on all mail that uses our permits for discounted rates.