FASTforward®
The FASTforward® system contains more than 40 million permanent change-of-address (COA) records filed with the Postal Service™ by relocating customers who want their mail forwarded to their new address. These COA records reflect a thirteen-month period relative to the move-effective date the customer provided. FASTforward COA data is updated weekly.
The FASTforward system consists of a licensed computer system containing FASTforward name- and address-matching software and the COA database. The Postal Service is the sole owner and distributor of the FASTforward hardware and software components that comprise the FASTforward system. Specifically, this includes the FASTforward software, the computer system itself, and the small computer systems interface (SCSI) cable that connects the FASTforward system to the licensee-owned or -leased system components. The FASTforward system is the sole property of the United States Postal Service® (USPS®), © 1996, All Rights Reserved.
FASTforward is available in two separate and distinct versions. The original application was developed to interface with commercial mail-processing equipment, such as multiline optical character readers (MLOCRs) and remote video encoding (RVE) stations. Licensed systems are required to have a FASTforward interface that meets USPS specifications (contact your equipment manufacturer for details and pricing on this modification). In this application, FASTforward licensees redirect previously prepared mail pieces to the intended recipient's new address. The specific information (new address) is obtained through a matching process of the MLOCR optic lift (or RVE keyed data) from the mail piece name and address against the national database of permanent COAs filed during the preceding thirteen months. Therefore, address change information is provided for application to the mail piece only for those articles that, in fact, have a matching name and old address present. Any new address provided by FASTforward as the result of a match is appended with the ZIP+4®/DPC information along with a text representation of the new (forwarded to) address. This returned information is applied to the mail piece in real time by the MLOCR system.
The second version, FASTforward for Mailing List Correction, provides FASTforward licensees the ability to update computer-based name and address mailing lists electronically prior to creation of the mail piece. This version also requires licensees to have a FASTforward interface that meets Postal Service specifications. However, the new address information is obtained through a matching process of the name and address contained in the mailing list against the national database of permanent COAs filed during the preceding thirteen months. Again, address change information is only provided for those records that, in fact, have a matching name and old address present. In the event that new address information is returned, the effective date of the move and the carrier identification for the new address is also returned. This returned information is used to update the mailing list.
When FASTforward is used in conjunction with either MLOCR (and/or RVE) processing or mailing list correction services, mail pieces avoid the delays associated with traditional mail-forwarding activities.
Contact your CSR for pricing and to find out how FASTforward can help you.
FastForward™ is a registered trademark of the United States Postal Service. Wright Imaging Solutions, A Division of Wright Business Graphics is a nonexclusive licensee of the USPS FastForward™ Service. Pricing of FASTforward™ services being offered by Wright Imaging Solutions is not established, controlled or approved by the USPS.