Yes folks we are approaching the end of another year here at Compact. With the changing of the year we too will be making changes on our Consumer List and Business List sites. We will be adding new servers and streamlining code to better serve your needs. As with all things, we here at Compact strive to make your ordering experience the best in the business. I hope as you are working with our technology throughout the coming year you can feel the pride we have put into each and every site.

May 2010 be a banner year for us all.

Randy Kienzle
VP of Technology

Like some of you, I’m grateful to be putting 2009 behind me. The Direct Marketing industry has taken a major hit, not unlike many businesses during the “recession”. It has been a long tough year for all of us and I prefer to look forward with hope and anticipation for 2010. New Years gives us a chance for a do-over or at least a do-it-better.

At Compact we’re seeing significant increases in requests for data, along with new ideas on how to deliver successful campaigns.  Many customers are exploring email marketing and looking for clearer messaging and brand identity. Creating a multichannel market message is tops on many companies Holiday lists and plans for the coming New Year.

We’ve been busy seeking out the best sources for your data needs and have many exciting new opportunities for you. Email marketing is here to stay and providing accurate information as well as easy access to Business or Consumer email addresses was one challenge we all faced. We’ve done our testing and homework and think we have found some great solutions for you. Our new sources will not only send out your message and give you the tools to check on your progress but they also have postal addresses so that you can truly become the multi-channel marketer you always wanted to be. If your Customer file is in need of repair, we have solutions for that too. Don’t forget to append those email addresses to your customer file so you can stay in touch on a regular basis.

So sharpen up your Elf Bowling skills, enjoy this time with friends and family, and travel safely. We thank you for the opportunity to have been one of your business partners this year.

Chris Slauter
Compact Information Systems

Sometimes we forget that we are spending an awful lot of time slinging mailing lingo around. For some of us in the “list world” this is second nature – for others, we might as well be speaking Greek! To those who might not live and breathe the postal jargon as we do, here is a handy reference guide to a few of the most common terms you will hear when working with your list provider, printer or mailing house on a direct mail piece:

Automation-Compatible Mail
Mail that meets postal specifications concerning design, size, machine readability, and characteristics so that it can be scanned and processed by automated mail processing equipment.

Address Correction Service
If mail cannot be delivered as addressed, this service allows the sender on request, using the appropriate ancillary service endorsement, to obtain the addressee’s new (forwarding) address (if a change-of-address order was filed), or the reason the mail cannot be delivered as addressed.

Automation Discount
A postage reduction offered to mailers who barcode their letters and flats and meet addressing, readability, and other requirements for processing on automated equipment.

Bulk Mail
Mail that is generally rated for postage partly by weight and partly by the number of pieces in the mailing. A rate discount is given based on the mail preparation work done by the mailer and the place of mail deposit. To qualify as bulk mail, there must be at least 200 pieces or 50 lbs. of mail. While first class postage increases with every ounce, standard mail gives you the same low rate of postage up to 3.3087 ounces. Delivery is slower.

CDS (Computerized Delivery Sequence)
A postal product that contains all addresses. A customer of the USPS may participate in this product if they have at least 90% of the addresses in a particular ZIP code. Once certified, the USPS uses the CDS product to maintain the customer’s data.

Carrier Routes
A group of addresses to which the USPS assigns the same code to aid in mail delivery. These codes are 9 digits – 5 numbers for the ZIP code, one letter for the carrier route type and 3 numbers for the carrier route code. For example “98001C001”.

Carrier Route Sortation
The practice of sorting mail by carrier route to qualify for reduced postage rates. The term is a general descriptor of the available rates for this type of preparation, which include Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail, automation carrier route First-Class Mail, carrier route Periodicals, and carrier route Bound Printed Matter

CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System)
A USPS approved process which improves address deliverability and standardization.

Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Rate
A rate available for Periodicals, Standard Mail, Parcel Post, and Bound Printed Matter that is properly prepared and entered by the mailer at the postal facility that serves the delivery address on the mail.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
Postal Service manual that contains the basic standards and rates for domestic mail services.

Drop Shipment
Typically the movement of a mailer’s product on private transportation from the point of production to a postal facility closer to the destination of those pieces.

Delivery Point Barcode (DPBC)
A POSTNET barcode that represents the ZIP+4 code generally and the last two digits of the primary street address number (or post office box, etc.) and a correction digit. The DPBC allows automated sortation of mail to the carrier level in walk sequence.

Destination Entry
The process of transporting and depositing mail at the postal facilities that serve the addresses on the mailpieces in a mailing. The mailer receives additional discounts for destination entry mail. After your mail is verified and postage is paid at the facility where you hold your permit, you can take your mail to one of three places to receive a destination entry discount: a destination bulk mail center (DBMC) (or destination area distribution center [DADC] for Periodicals), a destination sectional center facility (DSCF), or a destination delivery unit (DDU). The discount you receive depends on which of these locations you choose.

ECR (Enhanced Carrier Route)
This is a subclass to standard mail. ECR has 3 rates: Basic, High Density and Walk Sequence Saturation.

Fulfillment
The actual process of stuffing envelopes, setting up a mailing list, and shipping out a mailing piece. Following up on and tracking a mailing is also part of fulfillment.

Indicia
Imprinted designations on mailpieces that indicate postage payment (e.g., metered postage or permit imprint).

Machinable
The ability of a mailpiece to be sorted by mail processing equipment. (Compare with nonmachinable.)

Merge/Purge
To combine more than one mailing list (merge), and then delete any duplicate entries (purge).

National Change of Address (NCOA)
An address correction service provided to mailers by the Postal Service through its licensees. The licensees match computerized mailing lists with change of address data, and NCOA provides current, standardized, and ZIP+4 coded addresses for all residential and business movers before the mail enters the mailstream.

Nonmachinable
Mail that cannot be sorted on mail processing equipment because of size, shape, content, or address legibility. Such mail is normally processed manually and could be subject to a surcharge.

Periodicals
A class of mail consisting of authorized magazines, newspapers, or other publications formed of printed sheets that are issued at least four times a year at regular, specific intervals from a known office of publication.

Postage Statement
Documentation provided by a mailer to the Postal Service that reports the volume of mail being presented and the postage payable or affixed, and that certifies that the mail meets the applicable eligibility and addressing standards for the rate claimed.

Presorted Mail
A form of mail preparation, required to bypass certain postal operations, in which the mailer groups pieces in a mailing by ZIP Code or by carrier route or carrier walk sequence (or other Postal Service–recommended separation).

Saturation
Refers to the level of penetration a mailing list has into each carrier route. The more deliveries on a route that are included, the better the saturation rate will be.

Seasonal Address
An address that is coded as “Seasonal” by the USPS is one where the occupant does not permanently reside. Typically these are vacation homes or addresses in areas with large increases in population during certain seasons of the year.

Sectional Center Facility (SCF)
A postal facility that serves as the processing and distribution center for post offices in a designated geographical area, defined by the first three digits of the ZIP Codes of these offices. Some SCFs serve more than one 3-digit ZIP Code range.

Simplified Addressing
An alternative addressing format used when delivery of identical mailpieces is requested to every customer on a rural route or highway contract route, or to all post office box customers at a post office without city carrier service. Instead of listing a name and address, the mailer may use “Postal Customer.” Simplified address may also be used by government agencies for official mail sent to all stops on city routes and post office boxes at post offices with city delivery service. s available for discount mail.

Standard Mail
A mailing service (class of mail) that comprises the subclasses of Regular Standard Mail, Nonprofit Standard Mail, Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail, and Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail. Circulars, printed matter, pamphlets, catalogs, newsletters, direct mail, and merchandise can be sent as Standard Mail.

Tray
A container used by the Postal Service and mailers to hold letters and First-Class Mail flats. It is used as a basic unit of mail quantity for purposes of preparing mail to qualify for discounted postage rates.

Walk Sequence Mail
Walk Sequenced mail is provided in the exact order in which the carrier walks or drives each route so the carrier does not need to sort the mail, which saves the USPS time and money. This savings is passed along to the mailer in the form of the lowest postal rate.

Mary McCarty
List Services Manager

In recent years we’ve consistently heard about the demise of the USPS, we’ve also heard of the direct marketing industry coming under threat, and the drop off in volume across the board. However, all is not gloom and doom, there is light at the top of the Christmas tree! On December 1st 2009 the USPS launched a press release speaking to the flow of mail during the Holiday Season (I prefer to call it Christmas, but I have to be politically correct right!?). The numbers are staggering: The USPS is expecting over 3 billion cards and letters to be delivered over the holidays. In addition, 97 million Americans will visit a Post Office – that’s about one in three folks will go stand in line to use this essential, national service. Over 30 million pounds of mail will be delivered to overseas military installations alone – which hopefully will put smiles on the faces of our service men and women. The printing presses will be running too, over 2.11 billion Holiday Stamps will be printed and used – that’s a lot of fish paste!

Apparently the busiest day of the year for all mail will be December 14th when more than 830 million packages, letters and cards will be put in to the mail-stream – - and two days later they’ll be delivered on the busiest delivery day of the year, December 16th. There are in excess of 250,000 postal carriers – here at Compact we know these things because in our Resident List database we house all of their carrier route polygons – which many of you use when purchasing our products. These 250,000 carriers will be trudging through the snow, sleet, rain and in some places sunshine, to bring you those priceless pieces of holiday cheer.

So, thanks to our postal service, to those carriers and all of the other postal employees who provide such an essential service throughout the year, but never more important than at Christmas (I mean “the Holidays”).

Happy Holidays everyone!

Cheers Rich

One of the requests I get almost every day is to explain the difference between what is commonly called a “Consumer” list and a “Resident” list.  Both terms sound similar,  the same addresses may actually appear on each list, but there can be quite a bit of confusion over the list types and when each list should be used.  Here is a quick breakdown:

So… when should you use a Consumer List versus a Resident List?

Use a Consumer List if:

-You want a household name on every record in your list

-You require that certain demographic criteria have been confirmed on the household level such as age, income or presence of children

-Importance of targeting your list outweighs the importance of postal discounts

-Importance of targeting your list outweighs chance of slightly lower deliverability

-You are mailing first class and/or don’t mind that the file will need additional presort processing to achieve automation discounts.

-You need a list that includes phone numbers for telemarketing purposes

Consumer List Example: A luxury car dealership has a specific demographic profile for households who are likely to buy their cars: Age 40+ with a $100,000+ income within 25 miles of the dealership.  They also want the mailing to appear as personalized as possible, so showing household name on each piece is important.

Use a Resident List if:

-You want the highest possible postage discounts for sortation and saturation

-You want to make sure you blanket or “saturate” a geographic area by mailing to every available address

-Importance of postal discounts outweighs the importance of targeting your list

-Importance of highest possible deliverability outweighs the slightly lower deliverability of a targeted list

-You want a list that is already properly sorted and ready for mailing including appropriate postal paperwork

Resident List Example: A local pizza parlor knows that most households within 2 miles of their store will consume at least one pizza every 2 weeks. Using the Resident List they will saturate every address in the neighborhood with a coupon mailing.

Contact us for any other questions you may have on the details of the different list types!

Mary McCarty

List Services Manager

Just back from DMA 09 and it was a refreshing change from the ho-hum doldrums some marketers have been in for the last few months. There were lots of new faces and products on the show floor this year, and fortunately many of the same old familiar faces.

Direct Marketing is changing and most smart marketers have spent the last few months retooling their products and service offerings. We’re all learning new methods of communicating with our clients and how they will all work together to bring a better Consumer experience. Multi-channel is on the rise and it will be important going forward to blend Direct Mail with email to create a better brand experience.

At Compact- we’re working to bring you a better experience with our Brand. Our websites have undergone significant upgrades adding speed and additional capabilities. We’re rolling out our state of the art mapping on our Consumer site, and offering a 20% discount for the orders you place there thru Nov 30th. There are weekly webinars you can sign up for to get a personal tour of our proprietary GIS systems and see how you can bring a visual experience to your customers thru our mapping technologies. Oh and did we say- webinars are free?

We are also working with several new vendors to offer you email marketing services, better Business to Business information, more precise Consumer information, and data hygiene services. If there are products or services you need us to offer- please let us know.

Chris Slauter
Compact Information Systems

Redmond, WA. — (PR Web) – - Oct. 15th, 2009 – Compact Information Systems, a leading provider of targeted marketing lists for direct mail professionals, today announced the re-launch of their Consumer List online order and fulfillment platform with advanced mapping tools. The new site is specifically targeted at list buyers who need the best tools to access consumer data.

“We have rebuilt our Consumer List site to incorporate many of the advanced mapping features that we created for our Resident List site. After becoming industry leaders in the automated supply of resident saturation direct marketing lists we realized that many of the tools were applicable to our other databases, so we have now incorporated the best ones in to the new Consumer Lists site,” said Pat Wiley, President of Compact.

Earlier in the year Compact launched a portal site to house their three main list platforms that serve up Resident, Consumer and Business direct marketing lists. The new Consumer List site is the first major platform to be rebuilt using the same user interface as the portal site. Over the next several months Compact will be re-launching its other major sites using the same easy to use interface, advanced mapping and increased speed.

Rich Lancaster, Compact COO, added; “Compact became a major force in the list industry by being first to market with many online features and capabilities. This current initiative is another wave of innovation on our part. We know our thousands of clients will appreciate the extra effort we are making to bring them the latest and greatest functionality with increased speed and ease of use to all our sites.”

Specific new enhancements to the Consumer List site include; the ability to create a variety of custom segments for list selection on one map, and then to combine them in to one data purchase. Customers can draw a polygon, add a radius and select specific carrier routes to create a totally custom list selection. All of this can be visualized on screen, providing a spatial representation of a customer’s marketplace potential. Other new features include new ruler, shape and label tools that all add to a customers’ ability to then create a printable PDF map, for presentation purposes, directly from the site.

“For list buyers looking for ease of use and sophisticated tools there is no better Consumer List site available in the industry,” concluded Wiley, “and we intend to keep making our sites stronger and easier to use.” During the re-launch phase Compact is offering all customers promotional pricing and free online training.

About Compact Information Systems

Compact (www.compactlists.com), founded in 1988, is a leading provider of resident, consumer and business list services in the United States, with a database containing nearly 150 million deliverable addresses, 200 million consumer households and over 16 million businesses. Compact’s list services include access to a proprietary geographic information system that enables customers to see their data, and its impact, geographically before making a purchase decision.
Media Contact: Rich Lancaster, Compact Information Systems, (425) 869-1379, Rich@cisdirect.com.

If you have been paying attention lately to Compact you will know we are going through some radical changes. We’re revamping almost everything in terms of our online services, and the latest thing to get the Extreme Makeover treatment is our Consumer List site. Compact made its name in the Resident List business, and for the past 4 or 5 years has added Consumer and Business List options to its sites so that customers had the ability to do One-Stop-Shopping. But, while our Resident List site was a world leader in its class – with the best mapping tools around – as well as a host of other sophisticated functionality – our Business and Consumer sites lagged behind the industry.

Well that has now changed, and if you haven’t spent any time on our Consumer List site, then now would be a great time to take a look. We’ve incorporated some of the best Resident List mapping tools in to the heart of the new site, and they are impressive (even if we do say so ourselves). But it’s not just about mapping. We have completely revamped our user interface, and we now believe we have made one of the most intuitive and easy to use list sites available today online. In fact we’re so proud of our work that we are now offering all of our customers a 20% discount on any one list purchase between now and the end of November, so if you are buying consumer data get yourself over to the new site and try it out. Our standard pricing is right in the sweet spot in terms of the industry as a whole, so the 20% off is a real deal.

As a list buyer we think you are most interested in a high quality product, at a competitive market rate, that can be purchased from a site that makes the experience easy as well as intuitive. We know we’ve delivered that with our Extreme Makeover, and we’d love you to try it .

Cheers Rich

Here at CIS we have just launched our new Consumer List Mapping site! We are extremely proud of our new one-of-a-kind site and excited about the increased flexibility that has been built into the Consumer List selection process in terms of flow, ease of use, creating segmented orders as well as mixing geographical selections together.

The best part by far however is the updated mapping. Make sure to take a look at this awesome new tool, especially if you want to see the future of the mapping resource for the Resident site. The new map features you see now on Consumer List are coming to the Resident site, so stay tuned!

Some of the new map features include City selection, County selection and Zip+4 (street level) selection as well as new display options for these selects. Not only can you create a custom selection on the map using our editing tools, you can now combine it with other select types (such as zip, route, etc.) all in the same order, even in the same segment!

Let us know if you would like some help exploring how this new functionality can help you create more meaningful Consumer List selects for your customers. We’re here to help!

Mary McCarty
List Services Manager

In the coming months you will be seeing a lot of changes here at Compact. You may have already noticed the changes to our main portal site www.compactlists.com. Soon, all of our sites will be modified to fit with this theme making it easier to navigate from one list ordering site to another, such as www.residentlists.com, www.consumerlists.com and www.businesslists.biz. In addition, to the changes in the look and feel of our site we are making major improvements in our mapping applications.

Our current mapping technology is based on Adobe’s Flash webpage plug-in, soon we will be converting to a Java based platform. This change will help us to bring new and more powerful mapping capabilities to all our list ordering websites. Some of the new features will include advanced polygon selection tools and enhanced radius functionality.

Together these changes will make your experience at Compact more user friendly and allow you to do more to target your direct mail list buying needs.

Randy – VP Tech