Real Time Web Service Tackles Undeliverable Mail to Help Companies Stay in Touch with Customers

Business Wire,  May 6, 2008  

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New SmartMover(SM) Web service from Melissa Data updates address information in real time to help reduce the $6 billion wasted per year on undeliverable-as-addressed mail

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. -- Melissa Data, (www.melissadata.com), a developer of high-performance mailing technology solutions, has released a new Web service called SmartMover. This real-time move-update solution improves mail deliverability by processes mailing lists against USPS([R]) 48-month NCOA(Link[R]) change-of-address data. Published reports show that direct marketers waste $6 billion each year sending undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail and the USPS spends nearly $2 billion annually processing UAA mail. Not only does undeliverable mail directly impact the bottom line of companies - accounting for lost opportunities, lost income, and lost customers, UAA mail is filling the nation's landfills with valuable resources - over 6 million trees are wasted each year because of undeliverable Standard Mail([R]) pieces alone. To address this growing problem, Melissa Data has released a white paper titled, "Where Did My Customers Go? The Problem of Undeliverable-As-Addressed Mail." The white paper, a must-read for any marketer, can be found at www.MelissaData.com/stopUAA.

Melissa Data's new SmartMover Web service is designed to combat the issues covered in the white paper. Using the SmartMover Web service ensures mail pieces reach their intended recipients without delays, detours, or flat-out returns. Additionally, SmartMover users will earn USPS automation discounts for their First-Class(TM) mailings (and Standard Mail beginning November 23, 2008). SmartMover is unique in that it can be accessed anytime - because it's always available via the Internet 24/7 - making it the ideal service for just-in-time mailings or whenever a database needs to be updated with the most current mailing addresses.

"The single biggest cause of UAA mail is consumer moves," said Chris Rowe, Melissa Data vice president of data hygiene services. "Forty-three million Americans pick up and move each year, so savvy mailers know the financial benefits of move updating a list using an NCOA(Link) service before every mailing. The SmartMover Web can be built right into your application so address updating is done when you want, the way you want - with no delay, no manual import/export and no messy data merge."

The SmartMover Web service can be added to existing customers' Data Quality Web Service (DQWS) subscriptions or companies can choose an a la carte service with flexible pay-as-you-go processing. For more information on the SmartMover real-time Web service, visit www.MelissaData.com/ncoarealtime.

ABOUT MELISSA DATA

Melissa Data is an active DMA member, as well as a member of the DMA's List & Database Council. For over 23 years, Melissa Data has been a leading provider of data quality solutions with emphasis on U.S., Canadian, and international address and phone verification, and postal software. Free trial software is available by visiting www.MelissaData.com or by calling 1-800-MELISSA (800-635-4772).

The following trademarks are owned by the United States Postal Service: NCOA(Link); First-Class; Standard Mail; USPS; and United States Postal Service. Melissa Data is a non-exclusive NCOA(Link) Full Service Provider Licensee of USPS.

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