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CASS Tool Icon CASS Tool

Use the CASS tool to take the input address file and check it against the United States Postal Service (USPS) Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS). The tool cleans up the data by correcting address information to the USPS Standard. It also appends valuable address-specific information to the data.

By CASS certifying address files, you can receive substantial bulk mailing discounts from the USPS by submitting a CASS Summary Report.

The CASS library is a separate data install that is only available with the Alteryx Spatial offering. It requires a special license to run. The data is released bi-monthly and expires every two months (on the last day of even months). For example, the June release of CASS expires on August 31st and the August release expires on October 31st.

Because records process on different threads, they come out in the order they complete rather than in the input order.

CASS File

CASS.ini is used so Designer can determine what paths were used for your CASS installation. By default, it is written to C:\ProgramData\Alteryx\DataProducts\DataSets\CASS\CASS.ini.

Configure the Tool

  1. Company Field (optional): The name of the company.

  2. Urbanization Field (Puerto Rico) (optional): If you use address data from Puerto Rico, use an Urbanization field to indicate the neighborhood. This reduces confusion between addresses that share number and street, but are not the same address.

  3. Address Field: The house number and street.

  4. Address2 Field (optional): Only one address field is required, but the file might have a second address field containing a building, apartment, or suite number. When you pass a suite number to the address 2 property, a suite name or pre-qualifier (Ste, Apt, Unit, etc.) must be present for the CASS tool to recognize it as a suite number. The USPS provides a list of acceptable pre-qualifiers.

  5. Use City Field, State/Province Field, and ZIP/PC Field to enter the remaining address information, where Province and PC, or postal code, information are entered for addresses in Canada. If the city, state, and ZIP code information are contained within a single column, select the Last Line is a single field option. The separate field options change to the dropdown Last Line Field, which you can use to select the column containing the city, state, and ZIP information.

Use the Output Fields tab to select what information is returned for use in the analysis.

Selection List Options

CASS_Address

The input address and suite name, as well as any corrections or standardization performed. If an address has a suite name, the address is copied to CASS_AddressPlutSuite.

Corrections include typo correction or insertion of missing suffixes and directionals. Standardization includes changes to preferred postal abbreviations, such as "Stree" to "St."

CASS_Address2

The second address line associated with the address. It can contain either a suite or a different, secondary address such as a PO Box. This is appended to the address before verification is attempted.

CASS_AddressPlusSuite

The input address with a suite name attached, if applicable.

CASS_AddressRange

The house number of the input address.

CASS_AddressTypeCode

A string value containing a character that is representative of the type of address being analyzed. No data is presented if the field contains a Non-USPS address.

US Codes:

  • A - Alias

  • F - Firm or company address

  • G - General delivery address

  • H - Highrise or business complex

  • P - PO Box address

  • R - Rural route address

  • S - Street or residential address

CASS_AddressTypeString

A string containing the first word of the AddressTypeCode description.

F in AddressTypeCode returns Firm in AddressTypeString.

CASS_CarrierRoute

A string containing 4 characters. The first character is alphabetic and indicates the type of delivery.

  • B - PO box

  • C - City delivery

  • G - General delivery

  • H - Highway contract

  • R - Rural route

CASS_City

The city from the input address. If the city is not available, the official city or municipality of the ZIP or PC is used instead.

CASS_CityAbbreviation

A string containing the city name at a maximum of 13 characters. If the city name is longer than 13 characters, the official USPS abbreviation is used.

CASS_CMRA

A string containing a character that indicates if the address is a private mailbox at a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency, or CMRA, such as Mailboxes, Etc.

  • N - No, the address is not at a CMRA.

  • Y - Yes, the address is at a CMRA.

CASS_CongressionalDistrict

A string containing 2 numeric characters that indicate which congressional district the address falls under, accurate to the ZIP+4 level. If there is only one congressional district, the value is 01.

CASS_CountyFIPS

A string containing 5 numeric characters that indicates the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS), a code defined by the U.S. Bureau of Census that is accurate to the ZIP+4 level. The first two digits are the state code, followed by three digits indicating the county.

CASS_CountyName

A 25-character string for the county name associated with the County FIPS.

The dominant county for the 5-digit ZIP Code is returned. Since some ZIP Codes overlap multiple counties, the wrong county is sometimes returned. It is best to use the US Geocoder to determine the county an address falls in (Census ID).

CASS_DeliveryPointCheckDigit

The 12th digit of a 12-digit POSTNet barcode.

A POSTNet barcode is a 12-digit code with the ZIP code for digits 1-5, the Plus4 code for digits 6-9, the delivery point code for digits 10-11, and the delivery point check for digit 12.

CASS_DeliveryPointCode

The 10th and 11th digits of a 12-digit POSTNet barcode.

A POSTNet barcode is a 12-digit code with the ZIP code for digits 1-5, the Plus4 code for digits 6-9, the delivery point code for digits 10-11, and the delivery point check for digit 12.

CASS_DPVFootnotes

A 2-digit string containing a code that assesses the input address's validity and deliverability.

  • AA - Street, city, state, and ZIP code are valid. The address matches a ZIP+4 record.

  • A1 - Address is invalid and does not match any ZIP+4 records.

  • BB - All address components are confirmed, and address is deliverable.

  • CC - Address is a deliverable after dropping the sub-building number from the input address.

  • F1 - Address is a military address.

  • G1 - Address is a general delivery address.

  • N1 - Address has DPV match to premise number, but subbuilding number is missing from the input.

  • M1 - Premise number is missing.

  • M3 - Premise number is invalid.

  • P1 - PO, RR, or HC Box number is missing.

  • P3 - PO, RR, or HC Box number is invalid.

  • PB - Address matches to a post office box street address.

  • RR - Address matches a CMRA and PMB designator is present.

  • R1 - Address matches a CMRA, but PMB designator is missing.

  • R7 - Address matches to a physical address, but address does not receive USPS delivery.

  • U1 - Address matches to a unique ZIP code.

CASS_ErrorCode

Deprecated. See CASS Results Codes.

CASS_ErrorString

Deprecated. See CASS Results Codes.

CASS_EWSFlag

A string containing a character that indicates if the input address was found in the Early Warning System (EWS) database.

  • Y - The address is in the EWS database.

  • N - The address is not in the EWS database.

CASS_LACS

A string containing a character that indicates if the input address has undergone a Locatable Address Conversion Service (LACS) conversion, a process to modify rural route addresses to city-style addresses to allow emergency services to find addresses more efficiently.

After a conversion, the old address is retained in the ZIP+4 file for a one year period, then it is dropped from the ZIP+4 file and the address checking logic does not assign a +4 for the address.

  • L - The address has undergone conversion.

  • blank - The address has not undergone conversion.

CASS_LACSLinkIndicator

LACS addresses only. A string containing a character that indicates if an address has undergone a Locatable Address Conversion Service (LACS) conversion.

  • Y - Yes, the input address was found in the LACSLink database and changed to the new address.

  • N - No, the input address was not found.

  • S - The submitted address was found in the LASLink database, but contained a suite that could not be matched.

CASS_LACSLinkReturnCode

LACS addresses only. A code for rural route addresses to indicate if they have been converted to standard addresses.

  • A - LACS Record Match. The input address matches to an address in the master file. A new address can be furnished.

  • 00 - No Match. The input address could not be matched to an address in the master file. A new address cannot be furnished.

  • 14 - Found LACS Record - New Address Would Not Convert Run Time. The input address matched an address in the master file. The new address could not be converted to a deliverable address.

  • 92 - LACS Record - Secondary Number Dropped from Input Address. The input address matched to an address in the master file, but the input address had a secondary number and the master file did not. The record is a ZIP+4 street level or high-rise match.

CASS_LastLine

A single field containing the city, state, and ZIP code information of the input address.

CASS_MSA

Retired. Contains Null if used.

CASS_Plus4

The 4-digit ZIP code appendage associated with the input address.

CASS_PMSA

A 4-character string containing the Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA) number associated with the input address.

PMSA is defined by the Office of Management and Budget for regions with a population of over one million.

CASS_PostalCode

A 6-character string containing the postal code associated with the Canadian input address.

CASS_PostDirection

A string with a maximum of 2 characters containing abbreviations of geographical directions that follow the street name.

Values include N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, and NW.

Example: In the address 100 N Main St E, this field holds E.

CASS_PreDirection

A string with a maximum of 2 characters containing abbreviations of geographical directions that follow the street name.

Values include N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, and NW.

Example: In the address 100 N Main St E, this field holds E.

CASS_PrivateMailbox

The private mailbox associated with a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA).

CASS_PrivateMailboxName

The private mailbox name portion of the input address, if applicable.

CASS_PrivateMailboxNumber

The private mailbox number portion of the input address, if applicable.

CASS_Province

A 2-character string containing the province abbreviation associated with the input address.

CASS_Results

A string containing 4-character codes that indicate status or errors. For a record to be considered a good match, must have either AS01 or AS02. For the complete list of codes, see CASS Results Codes.

CASS_State

A 2-character string containing the state abbreviation associated with the input address.

CASS_StatusCode

Deprecated. See Cass Results Codes.

CASS_StreetName

A string with a maximum of 28 characters containing the street name of the input address.

CASS_Suffix

A string with a maximum of 4 characters containing the suffix portion of the input address. Values include ST, RD, AVE, BLVD, CIR, and PL.

CASS_Suite

The suite name and number associated with the input address. A suite found at the end of the input address is moved here.

CASS_SuiteLinkReturnCode

A string that indicates whether the submitted address was matched in the SuiteLink database based on the business name of the address, and whether an improved suite number could be returned.

  • A - The master file contains a match and a better suite number was identified.

  • 00 - A match was not found in the master file.

Company Field (optional) must be selected for this data to be parsed.

CASS_SuiteName

A string with a maximum of 4 characters containing the name of the secondary unit. Possible return values are #, APT, BLDG, BOX, BSMT, DEPT, FL, FRNT, HNGR, LBBY, LOT, LOWR, OFC, PH, PIER, REAR, RM, SIDE, SLIP, PSC, STE, STOP, TRLR, UNIT, and UPPR.

CASS_SuiteRange

A string with a maximum of 6 characters containing the range of the suite unit of the input address.

CASS_SuiteStatus

Deprecated. See CASS Results Codes.

CASS_TimeZone

Unsupported.

CASS_TimeZoneCode

Unsupported.

CASS_Urbanization

Puerto Rican addresses only. When attempting to correct addresses in Puerto Rico, the address checking logic may produce multiple matches when coding some records. The urbanization name is used when a ZIP code is linked to multiple instances of the same address.

CASS_ZIP

The ZIP or Postal code associated with the input address. U.S. codes are 5 or 9 digits, and Canadian codes are digits.

CASS_ZIPType

A string containing a character that represents the ZIP code type of the input address.

  • P - A ZIP code assigned to a PO box.

  • U - Unique, a ZIP code assigned to an organization or government institution such as the IRS.

  • M - Military, a ZIP code assigned to an APO/FPO.

  • blank - A standard ZIP code.

Use the check boxes in the selection list or the buttons on the right to select your desired output.

  • Select All: All available outputs are selected.

  • U.S. Default: Outputs that are commonly useful for analysis of U.S. data are selected. The selected output fields are:

    • CASS_Address2

    • CASS_AddressPlusSuite

    • CASS_CarrierRoute

    • CASS_City

    • CASS_DeliveryPointcheckDigit

    • CASS_DeliveryPointCode

    • CASS_LastLine

    • CASS_Plus4

    • CASS_Results

    • CASS_State

    • CASS_ZIP

  • Canada Default: Outputs that are commonly useful for analysis of Canadian data are selected. The selected output fields are:

    • CASS_Address2

    • CASS_AddressPlusSuite

    • CASS_City

    • CASS_LastLine

    • CASS_PostalCode

    • CASS_Province

    • CASS_Results

  • Clear All: No outputs are selected.

Use the U.S. CASS Report tab to generate a 2011 CASS form 3553, an analysis report that verifies your data has been coded using CASS-certified software, a requirement to submit to the USPS for bulk mail discounts. If you need to create a current report, visit the United States Postal Service for the latest CASS requirements.

  • CASS Fields: The required fields for the CASS report.

    1. ProcessorName: Name of the user submitting the report. Populates section B1 of the form.

    2. ListName: Name of the list as specified by the Processor. Populates section B4 of the form.

    3. Name, Company, Address, City, State, and ZIP: Address information that is being validated. Populates section D3 of the form.

  • CASS Report File: Select Browse to navigate to the location where you want to save your CASS report. After you run the workflow, you can access the report by browsing to that location or by opening the file from the Results window.

Cass Form 3553 Contents

The CASS-Certified Software vendor and version information used to generate the form.

A1, A2, A3, A10, A11, and A12 are auto-populated.

The CASS engine database vintages, list information, and user-specified data.

B1, B2a, B2e, B3a, B3d, B4, B5, and B6 are auto-populated.

The summarized output of the CASS process. Contents vary based on the data and engine used.

Returned values:

  • ZIP + 4/DPV Confirmed: The number of records verified as matches to the ZIP+4 level and the validation period.

  • 5 - Digit Coded: The number of records verified to the 5-digit Carrier Route level and the validation period.

  • CRRT Coded: The number of records verified to the Carrier Route level and the validation period.

  • eLOT Assigned: The number of records assigned to an enhanced Line of Travel sequence number and the validation period.

C1a, C1d, C1e, C1f, C2a, C2d, C2e, C2f are auto-populated.

Date and signature information from the mailer.

Mailer Signature and Date Signed are completed by the mailer.

D3 is auto-populated.

QSS is solely made available for the list processor's review and analysis. This information is not to be considered by the Postal Service™ personnel in determining rate eligibility.

Returned values:

  • High Rise Default: The number of High Rise records that were default matched. Default matching occurs when the address is successfully matched at the street address level but cannot be matched to a valid secondary address.

  • High Rise Exact: The number of High Rise records that were exactly matched to both a primary and secondary address.

  • RR Default: The number of Rural Route address records that were default matched. Default matches are verified at the route number level but not matched to a valid primary range.

  • RR Exact: The number of Rural Route address records that were verified at the route number and also matched to a valid primary range.

  • LacsLink: The number of address records flagged as having undergone a conversion from rural to city-style addresses.

  • EWS: The number of address records that did not appear in the US Postal Service ZIP+4 file but were valid addresses.

Use the Canada SOA Report tab to generate a Canadian Statement Of Accuracy report. Visit the Canadian SOA for information regarding the contents of this report.

  • SOA Report File: click Browse to navigate to the location where you want to save your Canadian SOA report. After you run the workflow, you can access the report by browsing to that location or by opening the file from the Results window.

Use the Options tab to adjust how the data within the report is treated.

  • Force results to CAPS (Automatic for CASS Report mode): When checked, all results are converted to all caps. This is automatically done for CASS reports as it is required for the report.