Please note:
Effective immediately a PAF must be completed for DSF² processing.

• DSF² Overview
• Instructions
• DSF² Information
• Who Can Benefit From DSF2
• Results from DSF² Processing
• What to Expect from DSF²
• DSF² Processing Output Info
• DSF² Order Form

DSF² Processing entails two steps. The first step is to process your mailing list through CASS™ (USPS certification process for ZIP + 4^® matching software). This step will apply ZIP + 4 codes, carrier route codes, and delivery point (for POSTNET™ barcode), standardize addresses, and correct/verify ZIP^® codes. The second step is to match your address information to the DSF² database. Name information is not used in DSF² processing. Those addresses that match the DSF² database will be returned to you with a pseudo code to sort your files into walk sequence order, a business/ residential delivery point flag, seasonal address delivery information, etc. Addresses that do not match the DSF² database will be returned with a set of footnotes identifying possible address errors.

Unlike, ZIP + 4^® processing which matches addresses in ranges, DSF² uses individual delivery points to match address information.

For example:

In the above example, the house number is incorrect -- but this error is not identified by ZIP + 4 processing.

DSF² will help provide valuable delivery point information; will help identify and, in some cases, correct address errors that are not detected through ZIP + 4 processing; and provide the information needed to walk sequence your mailing list. To order DSF² processing for your mailing list, please read on!

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Instructions:

• Prepare input media.
  IMPORTANT: Send a copy of your file only!!
  Do not send your original data. Copy properly prepared file to media. Clearly label all media with the following information:
• Date created
• Computer system created on
• Your company name
• Sequence number, if multiple tapes/carts/diskettes are used
• Email or FTP files (instructions for FTP).
  
• OR send your media:
  Input media (use new, high quality media for highest reliability)
  Send to:
  DSF²/NCOA^Link Diskette Processing, Lorton Data
  2125 E. Hennepin Ave. Suite 200
  Minneapolis, MN 55413
  
• Fax or send completed DSF² Processing Order Form and Processing Acknowledgement Form
• Include new, high quality, output media if media (if necessary)
• Fax or send print out of at least 20 records
• Your input files will be returned unaltered along with output files.
• Do not send checks. Payment terms are COD company check or credit card (VISA/MC).
• Files will be returned via Priority Mail^® unless otherwise requested.

IBM PC compatible systems:

• Files transferred via ftp (directions)
• 3½" or 5¼" DOS format diskettes (DOS backup versions 3.3 to 5.0 or DOS PKZIP version 2.04g are acceptable).
• Syquest 44, 88,135, and 270
• ZIP 100 Disks
• Macintosh 3½" standard format diskettes or Syquest cartridge (backup is not recommended)
• IBM Sys 3x/AS400, Sys/36 'save and diskette compatible systems - 8" standard 3740 format diskettes
• Other systems and media (disks, tapes, cartridges) are supported. Call for information on your system.

File Requirements:

• Fixed length records and fixed length fields.
• Comma quote or tab or tab quote delimited files with field identifiers and maximum field lengths.
• dBase III compatible files are acceptable (memo fields and field names beginning in numerics are not acceptable).
• Data must be standard ASCII or EBCDIC text with no packed fields and no null characters.
• File must be in the "copy" or transfer mode, not in the "backup" or save/restore mode except as noted above.
• ONE FILE PER ORDER FORM.A file may be split to fit onto multiple diskettes. DO NOT put multiple files on one diskette.
• All diskettes submitted as part of one file must be of the exact same format and/or mode.

Information About the DSF² Process

Important Notes: With standard DSF2 processing, additional processing will be required on your part to insert standardized and corrected address information from the DSF2 output file into your mailing list (see output layout). Specialized processing is available that can make DSF2 easier for you. Call for more information about special processing options and prices. Output layout changes for input records with more than 200 characters. For clarification of input requirements and output file layout, please call our technical team at (612) 362-0290.

Classification Reform Information

The new Enhanced Carrier Route postal discounts are available for mail files that meet the density requirements and are sorted in either eLOT™ (sorts mail by approximate carrier-casing sequence) or walk sequence. LOT numbers and sort flag are available through ZIP + 4 processing. Walk Sequencing is available through DSF² processing. This sortation places mailpieces in the same sequence that the mail carrier for that carrier route will deliver the mail. This saves time for the USPS^® mail carrier by eliminating the need to sequence mail prior to delivery and the mailer receives a lower postage rate.

The postal presort required to receive these discounts does require additional processing. The Enhanced Carrier Route density requirements are as follows:

• High Density Enhanced Carrier Route requires 125 mailpieces or more per carrier route; unless there is less than 125 delivery points within that carrier route, then a mailpiece must be sent to each delivery point within the carrier route.
• Saturation Enhanced Carrier Route requires the mailpieces be address to 90% or more of the active residential addresses or 75% or more of the active possible delivery addresses (whichever is less) on each carrier route.
• Saturation Enhanced Carrier Route at Delivery Unit Entry. Saturation must meet the requirements listed above and the mailing is delivered to the Bulk Mail Center (BMC), Sectional Center Facility (SCF), or Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) as required.