Melissa Data Announces Release of Address Object™ for Linux and Solaris Platforms

Data validation tool checks postal addresses
in real-time or batch applications

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. (August 31, 2005) — Melissa Data, a leading provider of data quality software and services, today announced the release of Address Object for the Linux and Solaris operating systems. Previously only a Windows-based API, Address Object now functions across multiple platforms, allowing programmers and developers greater flexibility and extensibility for data hygiene applications.

Address Object is a development tool used to verify addresses, in real-time or batch processes, by comparing the address submitted against the U.S. Postal Service® database of 145 million deliverable addresses.

“By adding Linux and Solaris to the operating systems we support, we are reaching out to a fast-growing segment of the server market. The ability to insert data quality controls natively on multiple operating systems gives developers more choices in data management,” commented Bud Walker, product manager for Melissa Data.

Once an address is verified, corrected, and standardized to USPS® specifications, a ZIP + 4® code is appended to the record. Address Object then links the address to a time zone, congressional district, and county. Address Object also returns latitude and longitude coordinates, which can be used to calculate distances to a dealer, store or service location.

The benefits of data cleansing can be measured in accurate mailing and shipping deliveries, successful target marketing, effective CRM campaigns, and reliable storage of data. One popular use of Address Object is to catch data input errors or fraudulent entries that are common in e-commerce or Web site applications.

Other product features
Address Object’s ZIP*Data interface can return all the cities served by a ZIP Code™, as well as return the ZIP Codes available for a city. The Street Search interface can be used to resolve multiple matches. The Parse interface parses all address components into separate properties. The product also converts rural route addresses into city style addresses.

Among the enterprises using Address Object are insurance and financial institutions, government agencies, universities, retailers, direct marketers, and others who maintain large customer databases.

Melissa Data provides modules for use with most programming languages, including Java, Perl, PHP and .NET. Sample code is available for rapid development.

A free trial of Address Object may be requested by visiting:
/addressobject/addressobject.htm 

Journalists are invited to visit /aopress  to learn more.

About Melissa Data
Celebrating its 20th year, Melissa Data, the Data Superstore, helps companies manage and optimize their customer data. Melissa Data provides solutions for address and phone number validation, postal encoding, data enhancements and sales leads. Every day more than 70,000 people visit the company’s Web site. A powerful line of software, databases, programming tools, and hygiene services has made Melissa Data a recognized leader in the data quality industry. For more information, or to request trial software, call 1-800-800-6245 or visit www.melissadata.com.

The following trademarks are owned by the United States Postal Service®: ZIP Code, ZIP + 4, USPS.