ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII is a standard for representing computer data.

Barcoding
Represents ZIP Code information in graphical format. The ZIP Code is represented by a series of lines that enable a piece of mail to be handled with automatic sorting machines at the post office.

Base Price
The price per thousand names ordered (represented customarily as $/M as in $50/M). The price does not include selections, format, or shipping charges.

/M
Per thousand. See Base Price above.

CASS Certification
Coding Accuracy Support System, is used to improve delivery and qualify for postal automation discounts. Mailers or their list suppliers must use "CASS-certified" software at least every six months to update the ZIP Code, ZIP+4, and DP Barcode data on their mailing lists. Mailers must be able to demonstrate that their lists are CASS-certified to claim postal discounts by submitting a report to the Postal Service.

Cheshire Labels
Standard mailing labels which are printed four across on ungummed continuous paper. The labels are cut and affixed to mailing pieces by a cheshire labeling machine at a mailhouse.

Comma Delimited
Data that is marked at the beginning or end of each field of a record with a comma. This the most common data format used on diskettes and e-mail.

Count
The number of names available on a list.

Database Format
Data or information, that is specially organized for rapid search and retrieval by a computer. Databases are structured to facilitate the storage, retrieval, modification, and deletion of data in conjunction with various data-processing operations.

Default
To use a title like "Director" on records where a personal name is not available. This is commonly requested as "default to title ______________" with the title specified. The alternatives to defaulting are to skip records without names available or to simply send the mail to the institution or location without a title.

Deliverable
A mailing piece with a valid mailing address.

Deliverability Rate
The proportion of names on a mailing list with valid mailing addresses.

Enhanced Carrier Route System
To qualify for ECR rates, you must sort your mailpieces to the individual carrier routes within a 5-digit ZIP Code. All pieces in an ECR mailing must meet all the basic requirements for Standard Mail, be part of a single mailing of at least 200 pieces of Enhanced Carrier Route mail, be properly sorted to carrier routes and sequenced, bear a delivery address that includes the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code, and meet high quality standards.

Fixed Field
A data format in which each field is a set number of characters.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
FTP is an application protocol used to exchange files between computers on the Internet.

Key Code
A code consisting of letters and/or numbers which is assigned to a specific list by the list user to facilitate the tracking of responses and analysis of a list's effectiveness. The key code is printed on the mailing label or elsewhere on the mailing piece and/or order form.

Magnetic Tape
A medium for transferring electronic data between mainframe computers. Our standard is a 9-track tape.

Merge
A service which allows multiple lists to be combined into one single list so the pieces may be sorted to optimize postal discounts.

Merge/Purge
A computerized matching process which identifies and eliminates duplicate mailing labels (at the name, institution, or address level) on 2 or more lists.

Nixie
An incorrectly addressed mailing piece returned to the sender by the USPS.

Nth Select
A random list selection designed to produce a representative cross-section of a list. Most often used to test the effectiveness of a list by mailing a quantity less than the full count or to reduce a list to the number of available mailing pieces.

One-Time Use
Mailing lists are rented, not sold. Unless otherwise specified, lists are rented for one mailing or use and may not be used again without the consent of the list owner and additional payment. Most lists are "seeded" (see below) so list owners can detect unauthorized uses.

Postal Presort
The process of preparing mail by sorting pieces destined for the same area so they qualify for postal discounts.

Palletization
A USPS term for handling of mail in which sacks and trays of mail are stacked on pallets. Palletized mail offers faster delivery because of less handling, better mail piece condition upon delivery, and faster unloading upon arrival at the postal facility.

Pressure Sensitive Labels
A self-adhesive label attached to a backing sheet. Each label is peeled off and applied to a mailing piece.

SCF
Sectional Center Facility, a postal area identified by the first three digits of the ZIP Code.

Seed
A name and address included in a mailing list by a list owner or mailer to monitor the usage of the list.

Suppression
Exclusion of a list of selected names or addresses from the final mail file.

Test
A portion of a list mailed in order to determine the effectiveness of the list.

Title Addressing
Use of an assigned title, job function, or description rather than a specific person's name on a mailing label. The purpose is to direct the mailing piece in the most efficient way. Titles can have a significant impact on response rates. Examples would be "Director" or "Software Buyer."

ZIP+4
An extension to the traditional 5-digit ZIP Code that identifies addresses more accurately geographically.