How Fast-Track Listmail processes your file with NCOA

Assuming your list has name (and/or organization name), address, city, state and zip data in DBF (database file) or CSV (comma-separated values) format, it's ready for us to process, which works in a linked and mostly automated series of data processing operations:

-> 1. We standardize your file name and import it into our database program for NCOA pre-process preparation. The same program adds some 20 extra data fields which are used by the CASS and NCOA processing, then exports the file to CSV format.

-> 2. We use an automated text editer macro command to change NCOA input field names to exact standards required to match them against NCOA file data.

-> 3. Using a high-speed and high-security SFTP connection, the file is exported and uploaded to a USPS-licensed NCOA web services system for NCOAlink + ANKlink file matching. When the file is logged into a production que, these systems typically process more than one million records per hour with complete CASS, NCOA and ANK (Addressee Not Known) postal delivery data, using weekly-updated USPS data.

-> 4. When processing is complete, the file data is exported back to us, and our local database program imports the back into programmable format. A CASS Summary Report (USPS Form 3553) containing address standardization data, and an NCOA^Link Processing Summary Report that includes all move statistics, are automatically generated and returned to us with the data file.

-> 5. The processed file now has the following added "NCOA" fields: full personal name; company/organization name; street; city; state; zip; plus4; delivery point; validation code (DPV); carrier route; line of travel (LOT); LOT direction; locatable address correction service (LACS) code; move date; COA code; COA found; move type; CASS result code; CASS correction code; filler. Other USPS NCOA codes can be added for special customer needs.

-> 6. We use a second automated database program to re-assemble the finished and complete the job process:

-> a. A job invoice/receipt is generated.

-> b. A zipped file bundle is produced, which includes copies of the completed file both in DBF and CSV formats, the job invoice/receipt, both process summary reports, a decode sheet, and an informational "read-me".

-> c. The file bundle is copied to the appropriate customer account folder.

-> d. An email message is generated, indicating that your processing is completed and that your file is ready for you to download into your own remote computer for immediate use. Files remain resident in account folders for about one week before automatic deletion.

Note: Either or both DBF and CSV file formats can easily be imported into most other database file programs. For example, to load your file into an Excel spreadsheet, right-click on the file, selecting "Open With" and then "Choose Program..." and selecting "Microsoft Excel" or "Microsoft Office Excel". DBF files can also be read by Microsoft Access, Microsoft Visual FoxPro, or a number of other DBF-handling file utility programs. We can also supply your output files in TXT (system deliminated) format.

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