All records processed through NCOALink will receive a return code. This return code will provide you information about what NCOALink type of match was found for each record.
Return Code: A - COA Match
The input record matched to a business, individual or family type master file record. A new address could be furnished.
Return Code: 00 - NO Match
The input record COULD NOT BE matched to a master file record. A new address could not be furnished. This return code may be returned regardless of the processing mode, matching logic, or COA type.
Return Code: 01 - Found COA: Foreign Move
The input record matched to a business, individual or family type master file record but the new address was outside the USPS® delivery area. This return code may be returned regardless of the processing mode, matching logic, or COA type.
Return Code: 02 - Found COA: Moved Left No Address(MLNA)
The input record matched to a business, individual or family type master file record and the new address was not provided to USPS. This return code may be returned regardless of the processing mode, matching logic, or COA type.
Return Code: 03 - Found COA: Box Closed No Order(BCNO)
The Input record matched to a business, individual or family type master file record which contains an old address of PO BOX that has been closed without a forwarding address provided. This return code may be returned regardless of the processing mode, matching logic, or COA type.
Return Code: 04 - Cannot match COA: Street Address with Secondary
In the STANDARD mode utilizing Family matching logic the input record matched to a family record type on the master file with an old address that contained secondary information which obtained a ZIP + 4® street level match. The input record does not contain secondary information. This address match situation requires individual name matching logic to obtain a match and individual names do not match.
Return Code: 05 - Found COA: New 11-digit DPBC is Ambiguous
The input record matched to a business, individual or family type master file record. The new address on the master file record could not be converted to a deliverable address because the DPBC represents more than one delivery point. This return code may be returned regardless of the processing mode, matching logic, or COA type.
Return Code: 06 - Cannot Match COA: Conflicting Directions: Middle Name Related
There is more than one COA (individual or family type) record for the match algorithm and the middle names or initials on the COAs are different. Therefore, a single match result could not be determined. This return code is only obtained when using individual matching logic.
Return Code: 07 - Cannot Match COA: Conflicting Directions: Gender Related
There is more than one COA (individual or family type) record for the match algorithm and the genders of the names on the COAs are different. Therefore, a single match result could not be determined. This return code is only obtained when using individual matching logic.
Return Code: 08 - Cannot Match COA: Other Conflicting Instructions
The input record matched to two master file (business, individual or family type) records. The two records in the master file were compared and due to differences in the new addresses, a match could not be made. This return code may be returned regardless of the processing mode, matching logic, or COA type.
Return Code: 09 - Cannot Match COA: High-rise Default
The input record matched to a family record on the master file from a High-rise address ZIP + 4® coded to the building default. This address match situation requires individual name matching logic to obtain a match and individual names do not match.
Return Code: 10 - Cannot Match COA: Rural Default
The input record matched to a family record on the master file from a Rural Route or Highway Contract Route address ZIP + 4 coded to the route default. This address situation requires individual name matching logic to obtain a match and individual names do not match.
Return Code: 11 - Cannot Match COA: Individual Match: Insufficient COA Name for Match
There is a master file (individual or family type) record with the same surname and address but there is insufficient name information on the master file record to produce a match using individual matching logic. This return code is only obtained when using individual matching logic.
Return Code: 12 - Cannot Match COA: Middle Name Test Failed
The input record matched to an individual or family record on the master file with the same address and surname. However, a match cannot be made because the input name contains a conflict with the middle name or initials on the master file record. This return code is only obtained when using individual matching logic.
Return Code: 13 - Cannot Match COA: Gender Test Failed
The input record matched to a master file (individual or family type) record. A match cannot be made because the gender of the name on the input record conflicts with the gender of the name on the master file record. This return code is only obtained when using individual matching logic.
Return Code: 14 - Found COA: New Address Would Not Convert at Run Time
The input record matched to a master file (business, individual or family type) record. The new address could not be converted to a deliverable address. This return code may be returned regardless of the processing mode, matching logic, or COA type.
Return Code: 15 - Cannot Match COA: Individual Name Insufficient
There is a master file record with the same address and surname. A match cannot be made because the input record does not contain a first name or contains initials only. This return code is only obtained when using individual matching logic.
Return Code: 16 - Cannot Match COA: Secondary Number Discrepancy
The input record matched to a street level individual or family type record. However, a match is prohibited based on 1 of the following reasons: 1) There is conflicting secondary information on the input and master file record; 2) the input record contained secondary information and matched to a family record that does not contain secondary information. In item 2, this address match situation requires individual name matching logic to obtain a COA match and individual names do not match.
Return Code: 17 - Cannot Match COA: Other Insufficient Name
The input record matched to an individual or family master file record. The input name is different or not sufficient enough to produce a match. This return code is only obtained when using individual matching logic.
Return Code: 18 - Cannot Match COA: General Delivery
The input record matched to a family record on the master file from a General Delivery address. This address situation requires individual name matching logic to obtain a match and individual names do not match.
Return Code: 19 - Found COA: New Address not ZIP + 4 coded
There is a change of address on file but the new address cannot be ZIP + 4® coded and therefore there is no 11-digit DPBC to store or return. This return code may be returned regardless of the processing mode, matching logic, or COA type.
Return Code: 20 - Cannot Match COA: Conflicting Directions after re-chaining
Multiple master file records were potential matches for the input record. The master file records contained different new addresses and a single match result could not be determined. This return code may be returned regardless of the processing mode, matching logic, or COA type.
Return Code: 66 - Daily Delete
The input record matched to a business, individual or family type master file record with an old address that is present in the daily delete file. The presence of an address in the daily delete file means that a COA with this address is pending deletion from the master file and that no mail may be forwarded from this address. This return code may be returned regardless of the processing mode, matching logic or COA type.
Return Code: 91 - COA Match: Secondary Number dropped from COA
The input record matched to a master file record. The master file record had a secondary number and the input address did not.
Return Code: 92 - COA Match: Secondary Number Dropped from input address
The input record matched to a master file record, but the input address had a secondary number and the master file record did not. The record is a ZIP + 4® street level match.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
America is on the move
America is on the move - literally. It is estimated that 18-20% of the households and businesses in America move each year! At that rate you can see that in no time your valuable marketing or customer database can rapidly deteriorate.
This is where NCOALink can help. Processing your database with NCOALink can not only identify who has moved, but in most cases can provide you with the new address.
The benefit to you is that these records can be identified, and in most cases corrected, before they are mailed. This allows you to get your mail piece to your intended recipient, while reducing the amount of undeliverable mail.
All classes of mail can benefit from NCOALink to meet the USPS "Move Update" requirement. This requires that the address on the mailpiece must have been updated using an approved method no more than 95 days before mailing. There are three methods available to meet this requirement: Address Correction Requested (ACR) and related endorsements; Address Change Service (ACS); and National Change of Address (NCOALink). Of these three methods NCOALink is not only the most economical, it is the only method that allows the address to be updated prior to the mailing.
This is where NCOALink can help. Processing your database with NCOALink can not only identify who has moved, but in most cases can provide you with the new address.
The benefit to you is that these records can be identified, and in most cases corrected, before they are mailed. This allows you to get your mail piece to your intended recipient, while reducing the amount of undeliverable mail.
All classes of mail can benefit from NCOALink to meet the USPS "Move Update" requirement. This requires that the address on the mailpiece must have been updated using an approved method no more than 95 days before mailing. There are three methods available to meet this requirement: Address Correction Requested (ACR) and related endorsements; Address Change Service (ACS); and National Change of Address (NCOALink). Of these three methods NCOALink is not only the most economical, it is the only method that allows the address to be updated prior to the mailing.
NCOALink reduces undeliverable mail
According to the United States Postal Service (USPS) over 40 million Americans change their address every year. This creates huge obstacles when trying to maintain an up-to-date mailing list. The NCOALink product makes change-of-address information available to mailers to help reduce undeliverable mailpieces before mail enters the mailstream.
NCOALink is designed to reduce undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail by correcting input addresses prior to mailing. Since 1986, Move Update predecessors such as ACS™ Service, National Change of Address (NCOA) and the FASTforward® system have saved mailers millions of dollars that otherwise would have been wasted in materials and postage.
NCOALink is designed to reduce undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail by correcting input addresses prior to mailing. Since 1986, Move Update predecessors such as ACS™ Service, National Change of Address (NCOA) and the FASTforward® system have saved mailers millions of dollars that otherwise would have been wasted in materials and postage.
About NCOALink
NCOALink is a data set of address changes from the USPS. It lets companies update name and address mailing lists with new addresses from individuals, families and businesses that moved so mailers can qualify for First-Class automation and presort discounts.
NCOALink replaces the National Change of Address, a.k.a. NCOA, and FASTforward products with one system that lets the USPS release address information in a secure format. This format is a mathematical, 11-digit representation of the new address.
The USPS says the system will reduce postal oversight and improve undeliverable-as-addressed mail. NCOA licensees processed 244.6 billion address records last year.
NCOALink replaces the National Change of Address, a.k.a. NCOA, and FASTforward products with one system that lets the USPS release address information in a secure format. This format is a mathematical, 11-digit representation of the new address.
The USPS says the system will reduce postal oversight and improve undeliverable-as-addressed mail. NCOA licensees processed 244.6 billion address records last year.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
USPS adds over 2 million moves to the NCOA file
The U.S. Postal Service® announced the enhancement of the NCOALink® product with the inclusion of approximately two million additional national change of address records.
These records were previously excluded from the NCOALink product because at the time the change-of-address was originally received the change-of-address was deemed ambiguous. This may have been because the new-side addresses could not be ZIP + 4® coded or because the customer had submitted conflicting change-of-address orders.
The USPS's policy is always to error on the side of caution when populating the NCOALink product to avoid any error in identifying a customer's change-of-address. However, the USPS was successful in eliminating the ambiguous nature of these records and has added them to the NCOALink product. The new two million additional change-of-address records are now available for matching, effective immediately.
The recovered records will only go back 18 months from the Move Effective Date of the change-of address order. The NCOALink product will be synchronized with PARS (Postal Automated Redirection System) since the USPS is using the PARS database as a cross-reference. If a change-of-address filing is no longer in PARS, the USPS will no longer update it in NCOALink to minimize the chance of introducing any unexpected results.
As a result of the reintroduction of these records into NCOALink, you may see change-of-address matches that were previously not matched by NCOA. This can cause you to receive matched records with Move Effective Dates that were prior to your last NCOALink processing date. You should advise your customers (if applicable) that it is possible for them to receive what appear to be "old" changes-of-address from the newly-added records.
The USPS has taken steps to ensure that mailers are not affected by MERLIN's Address Validation System review for any of the change-of-address records that are being updated in the NCOALink product. The USPS has set up a filter to ignore these records and will not report them as "old" changes-of-address for PBV (Performance-Based Verification) consideration. Mailers will be given credit for the records as "new" side.
The USPS will continue to filter the records through the January 2010 timeframe after which time it is expected that the mailer would have updated the addresses within the required normal 95-day cycle of the Move Update standard. The USPS has notified the US Postal Inspection Service of the reintroduction of the updated records for their consideration during any review of mailer compliance with Move Update.
These records were previously excluded from the NCOALink product because at the time the change-of-address was originally received the change-of-address was deemed ambiguous. This may have been because the new-side addresses could not be ZIP + 4® coded or because the customer had submitted conflicting change-of-address orders.
The USPS's policy is always to error on the side of caution when populating the NCOALink product to avoid any error in identifying a customer's change-of-address. However, the USPS was successful in eliminating the ambiguous nature of these records and has added them to the NCOALink product. The new two million additional change-of-address records are now available for matching, effective immediately.
The recovered records will only go back 18 months from the Move Effective Date of the change-of address order. The NCOALink product will be synchronized with PARS (Postal Automated Redirection System) since the USPS is using the PARS database as a cross-reference. If a change-of-address filing is no longer in PARS, the USPS will no longer update it in NCOALink to minimize the chance of introducing any unexpected results.
As a result of the reintroduction of these records into NCOALink, you may see change-of-address matches that were previously not matched by NCOA. This can cause you to receive matched records with Move Effective Dates that were prior to your last NCOALink processing date. You should advise your customers (if applicable) that it is possible for them to receive what appear to be "old" changes-of-address from the newly-added records.
The USPS has taken steps to ensure that mailers are not affected by MERLIN's Address Validation System review for any of the change-of-address records that are being updated in the NCOALink product. The USPS has set up a filter to ignore these records and will not report them as "old" changes-of-address for PBV (Performance-Based Verification) consideration. Mailers will be given credit for the records as "new" side.
The USPS will continue to filter the records through the January 2010 timeframe after which time it is expected that the mailer would have updated the addresses within the required normal 95-day cycle of the Move Update standard. The USPS has notified the US Postal Inspection Service of the reintroduction of the updated records for their consideration during any review of mailer compliance with Move Update.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
USPS delays Move Update fines
In a notice filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission the US Postal Service said it will delay implementation of the Standard Mail Move Update noncompliance charge from May 11 to January 4, 2010.
"Delaying implementation allows extra time to provide our Standard Mail customers with additional feedback from our new postage verification systems, but does not relieve mailers of their obligation to comply with the Move Update standard if they intend to claim automation or presort prices,” said the USPS.
The new Move Update verification procedures will not be used to assess additional postage for First-Class Mail or Standard Mail at the time of mailing until January 2010. However, customers are still required to comply with the Move Update standards.
This change will reduce Standard Mail revenue over the rest of 2009 by about $4.5 million, and decrease the percent increase for Standard Mail from 3.781% to 3.759%, according to the USPS.
"Delaying implementation allows extra time to provide our Standard Mail customers with additional feedback from our new postage verification systems, but does not relieve mailers of their obligation to comply with the Move Update standard if they intend to claim automation or presort prices,” said the USPS.
The new Move Update verification procedures will not be used to assess additional postage for First-Class Mail or Standard Mail at the time of mailing until January 2010. However, customers are still required to comply with the Move Update standards.
This change will reduce Standard Mail revenue over the rest of 2009 by about $4.5 million, and decrease the percent increase for Standard Mail from 3.781% to 3.759%, according to the USPS.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Smart marketers market smarter
I was reading a recent article about how the recession has taken a toll on direct marketing.
I have no doubt that this is true. Everyone is under pressure to reduce expenses and tighten budgets, including the marketing department. While I don't see direct marketing going away, I do see an opportunity, perhaps even a necessity, for people to market smarter.
There are some simple and cost effective methods that have been in use by many for a very long time. However someone people might need some help to find some of these resources if the are just starting to feel budget pinch.
These are all very simple (and even obvious) methods to save money on direct mail and on postage costs, but you might be surprised how many people don't make use of these processes.
The first is to make sure that your mailing list is as accurate as possible. Sounds simple enough but where do you start? Address quality can easily be determined by processing your list through a CASS certified mailing list service. This software is designed to correct and standardize your mailing data. It also identifies problems with your data. These records should either be corrected or removed from your upcoming mail campaign. If the message can't be delivered then the recipient can't make a purchase from you.
The second method is to make sure that your addresses are current. This can be accomplished by processing your mailing list though NCOALink (previously know as National Change of Address / NCOA). NCOALink can identify records on your database that have moved and filed a change of address card with the USPS. you are then able to use this information to update your database with the current address when a match is made. NCOALink can also help identify undeliverable as addressed (UAA) mail. This identification is in the form of people who have moved but have left no forwarding address, and PO Boxes that are closed. Again, they key is getting your message actually delivered to your recipient.
Other methods include services such a the DMA Do Not Mail file and deceased suppression services. If someone has made it clear that they do not want to receive unsolicited mail then it's typically a waste of money and resources to send them a mail piece that the do not want to receive in the first place. Likewise, dead people can't make a purchase from you, and you take the risk of offending the surviving family members with your offer to their loved one that has passed on.
Taking time to clean you mailing list on the front end can save you big on a marketing campaign. These services are also surprisingly cost effective. If the smart marketers are doing, shouldn't you?
I have no doubt that this is true. Everyone is under pressure to reduce expenses and tighten budgets, including the marketing department. While I don't see direct marketing going away, I do see an opportunity, perhaps even a necessity, for people to market smarter.
There are some simple and cost effective methods that have been in use by many for a very long time. However someone people might need some help to find some of these resources if the are just starting to feel budget pinch.
These are all very simple (and even obvious) methods to save money on direct mail and on postage costs, but you might be surprised how many people don't make use of these processes.
The first is to make sure that your mailing list is as accurate as possible. Sounds simple enough but where do you start? Address quality can easily be determined by processing your list through a CASS certified mailing list service. This software is designed to correct and standardize your mailing data. It also identifies problems with your data. These records should either be corrected or removed from your upcoming mail campaign. If the message can't be delivered then the recipient can't make a purchase from you.
The second method is to make sure that your addresses are current. This can be accomplished by processing your mailing list though NCOALink (previously know as National Change of Address / NCOA). NCOALink can identify records on your database that have moved and filed a change of address card with the USPS. you are then able to use this information to update your database with the current address when a match is made. NCOALink can also help identify undeliverable as addressed (UAA) mail. This identification is in the form of people who have moved but have left no forwarding address, and PO Boxes that are closed. Again, they key is getting your message actually delivered to your recipient.
Other methods include services such a the DMA Do Not Mail file and deceased suppression services. If someone has made it clear that they do not want to receive unsolicited mail then it's typically a waste of money and resources to send them a mail piece that the do not want to receive in the first place. Likewise, dead people can't make a purchase from you, and you take the risk of offending the surviving family members with your offer to their loved one that has passed on.
Taking time to clean you mailing list on the front end can save you big on a marketing campaign. These services are also surprisingly cost effective. If the smart marketers are doing, shouldn't you?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Direct Mail Job Postings
For those of you in the direct mail industry that might find yourself in the unfortunate position of looking for a job here is a resource that might be able to help.
Monday, February 23, 2009
USPS sets 30% Move Update error threshold
With a May 11 deadline looming to improve their bulk mailing lists or face fines, mailers now can receive reports on how well their mail is performing through the US Postal Service.
Beginning May 11, 2009, a mailing with a 30% or more error rate for Move Update requirements will no longer qualify for automation discounts.
"The Postal Service has had three months in which to glean data to be used to establish a fair and realistic tolerance threshold for non-compliance with the new requirements," the USPS said in a statement sent to DMNews when clarifying the 30% rate.
For a Standard Mail mailing, this means that every piece in the mailing will be charged an additional 7 cents. For a First-Class Mail mailing, this means that every piece in the mailing will be charged at the single-piece rate of 44 cents.
The new requirements, which became effective November 23, require businesses to update their bulk-mailing lists every 95 days. Previously, only First-Class Mail was subject to Move Update standards, and those lists had to be updated every 185 days. The easiest and most cost effective method of compliance is through NCOALink processing.
Beginning May 11, 2009, a mailing with a 30% or more error rate for Move Update requirements will no longer qualify for automation discounts.
"The Postal Service has had three months in which to glean data to be used to establish a fair and realistic tolerance threshold for non-compliance with the new requirements," the USPS said in a statement sent to DMNews when clarifying the 30% rate.
For a Standard Mail mailing, this means that every piece in the mailing will be charged an additional 7 cents. For a First-Class Mail mailing, this means that every piece in the mailing will be charged at the single-piece rate of 44 cents.
The new requirements, which became effective November 23, require businesses to update their bulk-mailing lists every 95 days. Previously, only First-Class Mail was subject to Move Update standards, and those lists had to be updated every 185 days. The easiest and most cost effective method of compliance is through NCOALink processing.
Monday, February 02, 2009
NCOALink Information
Over 40 million Americans change their address annually, which creates formidable obstacles in maintaining a high-quality mailing list. The NCOALink product makes change-of-address information available to mailers to help reduce undeliverable mailpieces before mail enters the mailstream.
The NCOALink process consists of computer software purchased, leased or developed by the licensee to access the NCOALink data. The Postal Service certifies the process and licenses the NCOALink product to private sector companies for commercial mail list processing or internal mail list management. Updated, computerized change-of-address information is provided on a regular basis to the NCOALink licensees by the Postal Service. The NCOALink process improves mail deliverability by providing mailers with current, standardized, delivery point coded addresses for individual, family, and business moves.
Input address information must first be standardized to conform to USPS® requirements, including the ZIP + 4® code. An attempt is made to match each name and address against the NCOALink product. Address change information is derived from the PS Form 3575, Change-of-Address Order, filed by relocating postal customers. If a match is made with the name and old address information in the NCOALink file, then the NCOALink licensee is permitted to provide the current move information (new address or undeliverable status) to update the mailing list.
The full NCOALink Product contains approximately 160 million records or 48 months of permanent address changes and is available to Full Service Provider Licensees. The limited NCOALink product contains approximately 60 million records or 18 months of permanent address changes and is available to Limited Service Provider and End User Licensees.
NCOALink helps reduce undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail by correcting input addresses prior to mailing. Since 1986, Move Update predecessors such as ACSTM Service, National Change of Address (NCOA) and the FASTforward® system have saved mailers millions of dollars that otherwise would have been wasted in materials and postage. NCOALink continues this trend and, like its predecessors, provides the following benefits to mailers:
Reduces undeliverable mail by providing the most current address information for matches made to the NCOA Link file
Prevents re-mailings after address corrections are received because the address correction is applied prior to the mailing
Reduces mailer costs by reducing the number of undeliverable mailpieces by using most current address information
Provides the opportunity for faster product/service marketing through accurate mail delivery
In addition to change-of-address information, NCOALink also utilizes Return Codes to provide explanation of match and non-match status. Return Codes which indicate that a match was obtained are accompanied by a new address or undeliverable status. Return Codes which indicate a match was not obtained provide the reason a match could not be made to the NCOALink file. The analysis of Return Codes can help the mailer determine the deliverability of specific address records.
For more information on NCOALink and the licenses available, visit the Peachtree Data or call 800-477-3224.
The NCOALink process consists of computer software purchased, leased or developed by the licensee to access the NCOALink data. The Postal Service certifies the process and licenses the NCOALink product to private sector companies for commercial mail list processing or internal mail list management. Updated, computerized change-of-address information is provided on a regular basis to the NCOALink licensees by the Postal Service. The NCOALink process improves mail deliverability by providing mailers with current, standardized, delivery point coded addresses for individual, family, and business moves.
Input address information must first be standardized to conform to USPS® requirements, including the ZIP + 4® code. An attempt is made to match each name and address against the NCOALink product. Address change information is derived from the PS Form 3575, Change-of-Address Order, filed by relocating postal customers. If a match is made with the name and old address information in the NCOALink file, then the NCOALink licensee is permitted to provide the current move information (new address or undeliverable status) to update the mailing list.
The full NCOALink Product contains approximately 160 million records or 48 months of permanent address changes and is available to Full Service Provider Licensees. The limited NCOALink product contains approximately 60 million records or 18 months of permanent address changes and is available to Limited Service Provider and End User Licensees.
NCOALink helps reduce undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail by correcting input addresses prior to mailing. Since 1986, Move Update predecessors such as ACSTM Service, National Change of Address (NCOA) and the FASTforward® system have saved mailers millions of dollars that otherwise would have been wasted in materials and postage. NCOALink continues this trend and, like its predecessors, provides the following benefits to mailers:
Reduces undeliverable mail by providing the most current address information for matches made to the NCOA Link file
Prevents re-mailings after address corrections are received because the address correction is applied prior to the mailing
Reduces mailer costs by reducing the number of undeliverable mailpieces by using most current address information
Provides the opportunity for faster product/service marketing through accurate mail delivery
In addition to change-of-address information, NCOALink also utilizes Return Codes to provide explanation of match and non-match status. Return Codes which indicate that a match was obtained are accompanied by a new address or undeliverable status. Return Codes which indicate a match was not obtained provide the reason a match could not be made to the NCOALink file. The analysis of Return Codes can help the mailer determine the deliverability of specific address records.
For more information on NCOALink and the licenses available, visit the Peachtree Data or call 800-477-3224.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
