MAILERS+4:FAQ:Address Check

CASS Certificate Expiration Date

I ran Address Check and printed my CASS certificate a week ago, is it still good if I mail it this week?

A CASS certificate is good for 90 days for a Carrier Route based mailing, 180 days (6 months) for an Automation mailing and 1 year on a Non-Automation mailing.

The expiration date countdown starts from the "date list processed" as shown in Section B of the CASS certificate

File Export to Word

I want to print my labels from Microsoft Word...what data do I need to get a barcode?

These are the 3 fields you need to have Mailers+4 provide the data for:

• ZIP Code - 5 characters
• Plus 4 - 4 characters
• Delivery Point Code (DPBC) - 3 characters

Microsoft Word is not Delivery Point Certified with the USPS, so to be sure to use the DPBC Mailers+4 provides.

Empty, Formatted Delivery Point Field

I formatted a Delivery Point Code field but there is no data in it. Why?

Address Check is the feature that appends the Delivery Point Code to your file. Be sure to format the delivery point code field (DPBC) before you run Address Check. The DPBC field should be formatted as a 3 character field. If address check CASS Certifies the record, Mailers+4 will populate the DPBC field.

Address Errors

How can I find out what kind of address errors I have?

You can insert a field in your database (database modify) and format it to "Address Error" under File- Format Fields. When you run Address Check, the records in error will have a letter code in the Address Error field. Refer to the manual, appendix B for detailed explanation of the error codes.

CASS certified

Do all the pieces in my list have to be CASS certified?

Only Automation pieces need to be CASS certified. Non-Automation pieces do not need to be CASS certified. Mailers+4 prints a POSTNET barcode on the CASS certified Automation pieces. Non-Automation pieces will not get a POSTNET barcode, but they will still be eligible for Non-Automation postal discounts.

Indexing

What is "Index Before Address Check" in Address Check feature?

Mailers+4 will processes your list in ZIP Code order instead of natural order. Processing in ZIP Code greatly increase the speed. The only disadvatage of processing in ZIP Code order is if you stop or cancel the Address Check process, it will have to re-start from the beginning.

Walk Sequence Certify

Can Mailers+4 "Walk Sequence certify" my mailing list?

Walk Sequenced mail gets the best discount. It is used to saturate a neigborhood. Mailers+4 cannot Walk Sequence certify a list. It can Presort a list that has valid Walk Sequence codes. The List Services department can supply you with a list that is Walk Sequence certified.

For more information on Walk Sequence mailing lists visit: Saturation Lists.

LACS Count

What is the LACS count in Address Check result screen?

The Locatable Address Conversion System ( LACS) count in the Address Check results sceen indicates the number of records in your file that have changed from a rural route format to a city type format. Mailers+4 can not update the rural route address to the new city type address. A LACS is update service is available from Data Enhancement Services.

"Split List"

What is "Split List" in the address check results?

The Split List option in the Address Check results screen is used to export your lists into one of three new lists. The first are records coded to ZIP+4 level. The second is for records coded to the 5-Digit ZIP level and the last is only records with errors. Use this feature when you want a file with only ZIP+4 coded records, 5-digit ZIP coded records or records with Address Check errors.

Address Changed to a Different Address

When I run my file through the Address Check it changed one of my addresses to a completely different address. Why?

When processing your file through the Address Check function, Mailers+4 checks your address against the USPS National Database. In some instances the street name has been changed. Mailers+4 will code your address to the new street name and add the correct ZIP+4 code.

Validating ZIP Code 12345

Why will Address Check validate any address line information to ZIP Code 12345?

Of the 43,000 ZIP code numbers used, about 2,500 are Unique ZIPs. A unique ZIP code is assigned to a company or organization. In this case, ZIP Code 12345 is assigned to General Electric. The USPS rule is that any information on the address line is acceptable when coding an address to a unique ZIP Code.

DPV

What is DPV?

Delivery Point Verification (DPV) is an add-on feature of Mailers+4 that comes on a separate CD-ROM. DPV is an option found in Address Check function. When it is enabled your list will be verified to a higher standard. Where the CASS Certification of Address Check verifies that an address is in a valid range, DPV verifies that an actual address is valid. For example, all the addresses in the range of 120 to 130 Main St will have the same ZIP+4. The DPV add-on will indicate which of the addresses in the range of 120 to 130 are valid or invalid and therefore should not be mailed. DPV will improve the accuracy of your mailing list and help you save on postage and printing.

Address Error field "W"

What does the value of "W" mean in the Address Error field in Address Check?

The value of "W" means that this address was found in the USPS Early Warning System (EWS) . The EWS file includes addresses that will be added to the USPS ZIP+4 Code master file in the coming months, such as housing developments and new construction. EWS ensures that addresses not on the USPS master file will not be eliminated or coded inaccurately. The USPS updates their EWS file weekly. To get the most current EWS file, click the "Download latest EWS File" button in the Address Check options screen before you run Address Check. You will need and Internet connection for this to operate. It is recommend you check for EWS file update every week to ensure that you have the latest data.

Combine Range and Address Field Option

What is the Combine range and Address field option in Address Check?

Use this feature when you have the street number and street name is separate fields. Selecting this option enables the software to combine the street number and street name fields together. Format your street number field as number in the Advanced Address Options tab. Also format the street name field as Delivery Address.

Recognize Non-Standard Suffixes Abbreviations

How do I enable Address Check to recognize non-standard suffixes abbreviations?

Non-standard suffix abbreviations (i.e. Boul for Boulevard, Pk for Parkway, Av for Avenue, etc) can cause addresses not to code in Address Check. To enable Address Check to recognize non-standard suffixes you need to edit the MP4SFX.DEF file of street suffixes. This file is located in the Mailers+4 directory. The USPS standard suffix abbreviation is on the left and the non-standard abbreviation is the right of the equal sign. Be sure to use a text editor like NotePad and not a word processor program like Microsoft Word.

Verified by DPV Option

How do I know if my records were verified by DPV option?

Format a one character field in your list called "Address Error". Address Check will write a result code of "S" to the "Address Error" field when DPV cannot verify the street number. If DPV can verify the street number the "Address Error" field will be blank.

EWS File

What is the EWS file?

The EWS (Early Warning System) file is a list that includes addresses that will be added to the USPS ZIP+4 Code master file in the coming months, such as housing developments and new construction. EWS ensures that addresses not on the USPS master file will not be eliminated or Address coded inaccurately. The USPS updates their EWS file weekly.

No ZIP Codes in Database

I do not have ZIP Codes in my database; can I still process my file in Mailers+4?

Although you have a better chance of verifying an address in Mailers+4 with a ZIP Code, you can still process your list. If you have a valid Address, city and state the software can append the ZIP Code and plus 4 to your database.

Required Fields

What fields are required to run address check in Mailers+4?

The address, city, state and Zip Code fields are required and must be formatted to run the address check.