CASS ™ Cycle Changes/Next Update Jan Caldwell Manager, Address Management United States Postal Service MTAC Meeting Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 2006 Washington DC

2 CASS AWARENESS WHY IS CASS NEEDED? In the late 1980’s, USPS implemented a program that provided mailers a postage discount for matching their address records using USPS-provided data and assigning the appropriate postal codes.

3 CASS AWARENESS WHY IS CASS NEEDED? With the implementation of these “worksharing discounts” the USPS learned that the quality of the commercial address-matching software was inconsistent and often software products were assigning postal codes incorrectly. To resolve this problem, the USPS, in cooperation with the mailing industry, developed the Coding Accuracy Support System program.

4 CASS AWARENESS n The new cycle begins August 1 st, and runs through July 31 st of the next year. CASS CERTIFICATION

5 CASS AWARENESS 2007 REQUIREMENTS  Cycle L certification will require that a ZIP + 4 can only be assigned if the primary number DPV validates. n If the primary address cannot be verified, no ZIP + 4 can be returned. The vendor must return only the 5-Digit ZIP Code.  CASS testing includes PostNet and 4-State Customer Barcode calculation for 2007.

6 CASS AWARENESS Returned or wasted mail resulting from incorrect or missing primary number n Over 348 million pieces of returned or wasted mail n At an annual cost to USPS of $60 million CASS CERTIFICATION

7 CASS AWARENESS Personal knowledge required to deliver mail with incorrect or missing primary number n Over 1.37 billion pieces at a cost of 7¢ per piece n Resulting in over $99 million in annual cost to USPS CASS CERTIFICATION

8 CASS AWARENESS System Performance n Varies with computer configuration n Vendors reporting from 2% to 30% increase in run time n Flat file configuration available n Direct DPV configuration will be available n Depending on configuration selected, users will see: n Less time n Same time n More time n Work with your vendors CASS CERTIFICATION

9 CASS AWARENESS Stop DPV Processing Function n Valid addresses from legitimate sources n Vendor processes CASS CERTIFICATION

10 CASS AWARENESS Off-Shore Use of DPV n DPV loaded on a computer residing in the U.S. can be accessed from any country via telecommunications n File must reside on U.S. based computer n License must be to a U.S. entity CASS CERTIFICATION

11 CASS AWARENESS Testing of CASS/DPV n Vendors have been required to offer this product for 2 years n Same product n Process in July to “buy” 6 months CASS CERTIFICATION

12 CASS AWARENESS SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES Meetings with developersFebruary Stage I File ReleaseJune Stage II File ReleaseAugust MASS Test Decks AvailableNovember Developers/ManufacturersMarch Certification Completed Begin Software ReleaseApril Deadline Software ReleasedMay to End-users

13 CASS AWARENESS  More information about CASS/MASS certification, technical requirements, and certified developers and manufactures visit the RIBBS website: (CASS and MASS are topics on the left side of the page under RIBBS Links) CASS/MASS CERTIFICATION

14 CASS AWARENESS  Products, Services, and Publications (PS&P)  Videos for PCC and PowerPoint presentation for customers  CASS/MASS CD  Speakers Bureau  RIBBS:  Customer Care: RESOURCES

Thank You