Selecting the Right Approach to Data Quality

Selecting the right method for ensuring data quality depends on many factors: how the data is acquired; how it is to be used; and the amount of data that needs to be processed at one time. No matter what data quality solution is ultimately chosen, at the very minimum it should accomplish the following:

• Trap inaccurate addresses before they enter your database.

• Process existing records to flag undeliverable mailing addresses for correction or deletion.

• Update current records when information changes (address change, area code split, etc).

• Enhance records by appending related mailing information to the record, (ie. ZIP + 4® Code and Carrier Route) for faster processing and discounts.

• Standardize addresses using preferred USPS specifications.

Next Step: Technology Assessment for Data Quality Web Services
Learn more about Data Quality Web Services.