Address Element Correction (AEC) focuses on inaccurate addresses, that were attempted but failed to match to a postal Zip+4 code using commercially available, CASS-certified, address-matching software.  AEC uses specialized, USPS-developed, address-element programs to perform a series of evaluations and comparisons.  Resolved, unambiguous addresses are supplied with missing or corrected address elements and a Zip+4 code, resulting in automation compatible records.  If AEC cannot determine a match, the address is flagged as potentially undeliverable, better enabling you to decide what action to take.  AEC is only applied to those records from the original input file that are considered to be undeliverable (no Zip+4 or DSF match).  On average, around 25% of the records input to AEC are repaired (please keep in mind this average).

AEC processing provides:

• The original address list provided on the same electronic medium as the input list
• Complete, correct, and standardized addresses with correct five-digit and Zip+4 codes provided on the same electronic medium as the original list (for those addresses that AEC was able to match)
• Information footnote codes that identify which address elements were deficient and which addresses are potentially deliverable.  These footnotes are provided on the same electronic medium as the original list (for those addresses that AEC was able to match) along with diagnostic footnote codes to assist in further corrective action
• A summary data report (available upon request) that gives the number of addresses processed, the elements corrected, the addresses not matched, the addresses undeliverable, etc.
• A diagnostic report (available upon request) that gives information about the content of the mailing list and reveals trends in the address list that may produce undeliverable mail