Secrets of CASS Processing

Part 1 in a Multi-Part Series 

Anyone who has managed a direct mail campaign is probably aware of the Post Office's requirement to process a mail file through CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) software. There are many functions that CASS software performs that you may not be aware of. In this series, I will highlight some of these additional benefits that CASS has to offer.

The most common use of CASS is to standardize your database into the Post Office's recommended format.  Meaning, it will update your records as needed and change:

• "Street" to "St"
• Add the "plus -4" to your zip code
• Properly abbreviate pre or post directionals (East to E or West to W) and etc...

One interesting function that CASS performs is to parse out records that have a primary and secondary address combined into one field.  The looks at the base address (100 Main Street, Anytown USA) and if it is coded as a multi – unit dwelling (apartment building / multi-family home) AND there is a recognizable secondary address combined within the primary address line (like “Apt 1004”), then it will parse this out into the secondary address field.  

For example, if the incoming record was:

• "100 Main Street Apt 1004" in the address1 field

and "100 Main Street" is classified as a multi unit dwelling, then CASS will put

• "100 Main St" into the primary address field and 
• "Apt 1004" into the secondary address field.  

This process will:

• Improve the matching rate during a merge/purge (deduping) process.
• Increase the speed of which the Post Office will deliver your mail
• Increase postal discounts