Matching Options

Geocode US Address Matching Options

Matching options are used to determine how address searches are performed. They let you set match preferences, criteria and restrictions, and multiple match settings so that the matching can be as strict or relaxed as you need.

Note: As the EGM Module transitions its administrative tasks to a web-based Management Console, labels for the options may use different wording than what you see in Enterprise Designer. There is no difference in behavior.
Option Name Description
Address preference

Determines which address to use when more than one address is present in the address block.

Prefer P.O. Box
Uses the P.O Box.
Prefer Second Line
Uses the second line entered. Default. You must select this value if you select CASS in the Match mode field.
Prefer Street Address
Uses the street address.

Perform first letter search

Specifies whether to look for the correct first letter of a street name if the first letter is missing or incorrect. If enabled, the geocoder searches through the alphabet looking for the correct first letter to complete the street address. Default = disabled.

Note: This option is not available if the match mode is set to Exact.

This example includes an incorrect first letter:

Input: 4750 nalnut boulder co 80301
Output: 4750 Walnut St Boulder CO 80301-2532

This example excludes a first letter:

Input: 4750 alnut boulder co 80301
Output: 4750 Walnut St Boulder CO 80301-2532

This example includes an extra first letter:

Input: 4750 wwalnut boulder co 80301
Output: 4750 Walnut St Boulder CO 80301-2532

Perform Delivery Point Validation (DPV)

Specifies whether to process addresses using Delivery Point Validation (DPV). DPV is a United States Postal Service (USPS) technology that validates the accuracy of address information down to the physical delivery point. You must have licensed the optional DPV processing option to use this feature. You must also install the DPV database. Default = disabled.

If you use DPV, multiple matches are automatically resolved.

False-positive addresses, also known as seed records, are addresses the USPS monitors to ensure users are not attempting to create a mailing list from the DPV data. If the geocoder matches an address in your input data to a false-positive address, you receive a message indicating you have encountered a false-positive address. Processing continues to the end of your job, but DPV processing is not available for this job and subsequent jobs until you have reported the false-positive address encounter to technical support and have received a new security key.

Perform LACS/Link conversion

Specifies whether to process addresses using LACSLink. Default = disabled.

If you use LACSLink, be sure to choose to choose Postal Data and Qualifiers in the Include data field so that the fields USLACS, USLACS.ReturnCode, and LACSADDRESS are included in the output.

For more information, see Locatable Address Conversion System (LACS).

Prefer ZIP Code over city

Specifies whether to prefer candidates that match the input ZIP over candidates that match to input city. Default = disabled.

Note: This option is not available when processing in CASS mode.

For example, consider this input address:

301 BRYANT ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94301

Without this option enabled, the best match would be the one that matches the input city name:

301 BRYANT ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94107-4167

With this option enabled, the best match would be the one that matches the input ZIP Code:

301 BRYANT ST
PALO ALTO CA 94301-1408