Fact Sheet
Lorton Data was founded in 1989 by Tony and Lori Evans to provide data management and mail list processing services to the direct marketing industry. In the twenty years since, the company has experienced steady growth, while building a reputation for quality service.
Today, Lorton Data provides, manages, and analyzes data to enhance our customers' multichannel marketing efforts. From direct mail, to email, phone, advertising and social media campaigns, Lorton Data’s strategic approach, extensive capabilities, and renowned customer service result in higher returns on marketing investment.
Gateways to our services include our cloud-based A-Qua™ solutions, and expert assisted A-View™ services. Both methods enable organizations to create and maintain profitable interactions with their target audience.
Cloud-based services include A-Qua Lists™, for self-service list acquisition, A-Qua Mailer™, and A-Qua Command™ for automated CASS Certified™ ZIP + 4® coding, NCOALink® and DSF2® processing, PAVE™ certified Postal Presort, Duplicate Elimination, Suppression, and IMb™.
A-View analysis services enable you to better understand your target audiences and deliver more relevant messaging. Our experts will identify and target prospects using profiles, predictive modeling, and focused selection criteria. Through A-View, our experts can also assist you with custom data processing or list acquisition projects.
Timeline:
| 1989 | March |
Tony Evans dabbles in data conversion business and works part time to begin Lorton Data. Lorton Data’s office located in a bedroom of a duplex in northeast Minneapolis. As the year went on, office began to consume Evans’ home. |
| July |
First ZIP+4™, NCOA, Presort, and Inkjet output job. Tony Evans writes a postal presort program. Customer base built to 2 dozen by end of year, most customers want data conversion services. |
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| 1990 | July |
Hired first employee, part time. (Still with company) |
| Oct | Lori Evans joined Lorton Data full time. | |
| 1991 | Feb | First full time employee hired and is still with the company today. |
| April |
Lorton Data office moved from duplex in northeast Minneapolis to an office on the 4th floor of Riverplace in Minneapolis. First NCOALink processing jobs for clients. |
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| Dec |
Lorton Data partners with FDC to fulfill the USPS® small business contract for NCOALink processing. Lorton Data hired their first sales person. |
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| 1992 | May | Office expands to a larger space in Riverplace. |
| July |
Tony, Lori and other partners start lettershop business named Data Mail. Plans were that Lorton Data and Data Mail would be completely separate companies, but would work closely together to provide clients a one-stop-shop experience. Tony writes and updates own presort programs. |
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| 1993 |
Lorton Data ventures into laser letters using table top Kyocera laser printers running at speeds of about 6 sheets per minute, simplex printing. Also moved into laser printed labels and inkjet output. Lorton Data purchases Postalsoft CASS™ and Presort programs to increase efficiency. |
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| 1996 | First full time programmer hired to automate jobs and increase efficiencies. (Still with company) |
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| 1997 |
Lorton Data recognized in the 50 Fast-Growing Companies 1997 list and Firms on the Fast Track by City Business, a Minneapolis business newspaper. Entered into a partnership with FirstLogic, offering NCOALink processing services to their software users. |
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| May | Company moves to 2125 E. Hennepin Ave., and remains there for 12 years. | |
| 1998 | Lorton Data adds FASTforward® Processing to array of services. | |
| 1999 | Established a partnership with Fair Isaac. | |
| 2005 | Jan | Lorton Data secures Full Service NCOALink processing license from the US Postal Service®. |
| Aug |
Lorton Data offers LACSLink® service directly to customers after certifying with U.S. Postal Service®. New system offers cost savings and other benefits. The company secures CASS™ certification with U.S. Postal Service. |
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| 2007 | Jan | Lorton Data announces guaranteed 4-hour turnaround for NCOALink processing. |
| 2008 | Sept | An expanded partnership agreement is executed with SAP/Business Objects/FirstLogic to support NCOALink processing for PostalSoft Business Edition, Desktop Mailer, and Professional Edition software. |
| 2009 | Feb | Lorton Data hires Ray Davey as President. Ray's charter is to develop a comprehensive business strategy, take the company into new markets, and provide operational leadership. |
| May | Lorton Data acquires Aldata, a direct marketing information and list brokerage company. By adding a robust list acquisition component to its data quality and management services Lorton Data significantly enhanced its ability to help customers from the very beginning stages of direct marketing campaigns through the final steps of performance analytics. | |
| May | Lorton Data announces A-Qua™, a powerful and flexible platform that gives users access to our data quality services without having to install software on their computer. |
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| June | Lorton Data releases ezPAF™, an online system allowing users of mailing software to efficiently and securely complete the annual Processing Acknowledgement Form filing required by the US Postal Service. |
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| Oct |
Lorton Data moves to new location with a state-of-the-art data center facility and expanded space at 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN. A new corporate identity and brand development campaign kicks off. |
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| Dec | Lorton Data announces Lorton Lists - an online, self service mailing list acquisition system. | |
| 2010 | Jan | Lorton Data announces A-Qua Mailer™ - The first complete on-demand pre-mailing service. The full suite of “cloud” services lowers total cost over on-premise mailing software. |
| April | Lorton Data announces major update to A-Qua Mailer, adding more services and new subscription levels. |
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August |
Josh Evans appointed VP, Product Development | |
| Oct | A-Qua Mailer selected as a 'Worth a Look' product at Graph Expo 2010 | |
| 2011 | March |
Monthly subscriptions added to Lorton Data's pricing options |
| July |
A-Qua Lists, a new cloud based list and fulfillment system announced |
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| Sept |
A-Qua Mailer selected as a 'Must See em' product at Graph Expo 2011 |
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2012 |
Jan |
A-Qua Command, an automated, cloud-based, enterprise mailing software alternative is announced |
| Sept | Lorton Data completes SOC 2 Type 2 reporting process |
