Parcel and Postal Technology International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Automation
      • Business Diversification
      • Construction / Development
      • Cross-border
      • Delivery
      • E-commerce
      • Expo
    • F-O
      • Freight
      • IT & Systems
      • Last Mile
      • Lockers / PUDO
      • Logistics
      • Mail
      • Operations
    • P-R
      • Packets
      • Parcels
      • Peak
      • Retail
      • Returns
    • S-Z
      • Sorting Systems
      • Staff / Personnel
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Vehicles / Fleet
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • March 2025
    • September 2023
    • June 2023
    • March 2023
    • December 2022
    • SHOWCASE 2019
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Analysis
  • Awards
    • 2025 Awards
    • Previous Winners
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Parcel + Post Expo
LinkedIn YouTube Twitter
  • Sign-up for Breaking News Emails
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
Subscribe
LinkedIn Facebook
Parcel and Postal Technology International
  • News
      • Automation
      • Business Diversification
      • Construction / Development
      • Cross-border
      • Delivery
      • E-commerce
      • Expo
      • Freight
      • IT & Systems
      • Last Mile
      • Lockers / PUDO
      • Logistics
      • Mail
      • Operations
      • Packets
      • Parcels
      • Peak
      • Retail
      • Returns
      • Sorting Systems
      • Staff / Personnel
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Vehicles / Fleet
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. December 2024
    2. September 2024
    3. June 2024
    4. March 2024
    5. SHOWCASE 2019
    6. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    April 2, 2025

    In this Issue – March 2025

    Online Magazines By Web Team
    Recent

    In this Issue – March 2025

    April 2, 2025

    In this Issue – December 2024

    December 5, 2024

    In this Issue – September 2024

    September 19, 2024
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Analysis
  • Awards
    • 2025 Awards
    • 2024 Award Winners
    • 2023 Award Winners
    • 2022 Award Winners
    • 2021 Award Winners
    • 2020 Award Winners
    • 2019 Award Winners
    • Previous Winners
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Parcel + Post Expo
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Parcel and Postal Technology International
Opinion

Address the issue

Opinion WritersBy Opinion WritersJuly 16, 20154 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Data quality expert, Graham Rhind, discusses the importance of address data management in a world with more than 130 different street address formats

A street or postal address is an important component of a person’s mind map. Streets and buildings are (usually) named or numbered, and this information is often used in a person’s daily life. A person adopts their address and gives it an importance that is not always appreciated by the organizations that collect and use address data for various purposes.

Addresses are also heavily influenced by language and culture. In the over 240 countries and territories of the world more than 130 different street address formats have been adopted, and there are no indications that a universal system will be implemented any time soon. In one country a state name or code might be required, in another it isn’t. In one an address might require eight lines, in another only two. One might want a building number before the street name, another after. In yet another, street names are not used; instead, buildings and blocks are named.

In terms of delivery one could choose to fight against these differences, but this would be a losing battle. Embracing them and overcoming them through advances in technology is a better strategy.

When collecting and outputting address data it is important to know which components of an address need collecting (and which do not), and in what order, to comply with local cultural and postal norms. Systems requiring a postal code input, for example, will cause problems for the over 50 countries and territories that still do not use them. Using address validation systems, preferably in a dialogue with the owner of the address, enables organizations to collect data that is not only correct and accurate, but usable in the postal system.

Companies that collect address data in a haphazard way create problems for themselves and for the distribution companies they use. They often base data collection on their experience of one country’s address system so that, if they operate internationally, they fail to take into account the rich variety of systems in use around the world. As this data may be the core ofbusiness intelligence analyses and sales and marketing efforts, any flaws in it can cause massive problems for its owners.

Inconsistent and incorrect data reduces the efficiency of data actions, creates duplication, irritates customers and costs money. Injecting these poorly formatted, incomplete or non-existent addresses into the postal process creates extra work in the process chain, resulting in delivery delays, poor performance and extra costs. It can lead to loss of confidence in the company, loss of customers and, not uncommonly, company failure. It is no coincidence that delivery companies offer discounts for mail whose addresses conform to a specific layout, display a high level of accuracy and which have been pre-sorted to reduce the drag that poor addressing can have in the system.

A full understanding of (international) address issues is not only difficult to master, it also requires constant work to keep the information relevant. Countries come and go with surprising frequency; postal code systems are introduced, altered significantly or dropped in an average of four countries every year. Address management does not begin and end with data collection, but a constant monitoring of changing postal systems, on a national and local basis, is required to ensure that data remains accurate and fit for purpose.

Within the delivery process an address should need interpreting only once. Often after this initial recognition a machine-readable code, such as a barcode, “replaces” the address for the rest of the process. Attempts have been made to replace addresses with codes, but this swims not only against the human readability that addresses require, but also against the clear connection that street address systems have with a person’s local environment.

Organizations that work closely with their postal partners have achieved increased customer satisfaction and reduced costs. Ensuring that address data is accurate, well formatted and customer friendly is an essential part of this process.

Graham Rhind is an expert in the field of data quality. He runs his own consultancy company, GRC Database Information, based in Germany, where he researches postal code and addressing systems, collates international data, runs a busy postal link website and writes data management software.

July 16, 2015

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticlePostal sector grows for fourth consecutive year
Next Article Royal Mail acquires stake in Mallzee shopping app

Related Posts

Opinion

OPINION: How Chinese CEP giants are shaping the future of Europe’s last-mile logistics

May 14, 20255 Mins Read
Opinion

OPINION: The impact of open smart locker networks on the future of parcel logistics

April 23, 20254 Mins Read
Opinion

OPINION: The challenges of expanding out-of-home delivery in the UK

April 2, 20255 Mins Read

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Latest News

Bloq.it supports Vinted Go locker expansion in Spain and Portugal

May 15, 2025

ANALYSIS: What does PostNord’s announcement mean for the future of letter delivery?

May 15, 2025

DHL eCommerce UK and Evri merge to create premium parcel delivery company

May 14, 2025
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us / Advertiser
  • Meet the Editors
  • Download Media Pack
  • Breaking News Emails
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Supplier Spotlights
  • BÖWE SYSTEC GmbH
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Notice & Takedown Policy
  • Site FAQs
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie records the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie records the user consent for the cookies in the "Analytics" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional1 yearThe GDPR Cookie Consent plugin sets the cookie to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie records the user consent for the cookies in the "Necessary" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie stores user consent for cookies in the category "Others".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie stores the user consent for cookies in the category "Performance".
elementorneverThe website's WordPress theme uses this cookie. It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time.
JSESSIONIDsessionNew Relic uses this cookie to store a session identifier so that New Relic can monitor session counts for an application.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

CookieDurationDescription
__cf_bm30 minutesCloudflare set the cookie to support Cloudflare Bot Management.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

CookieDurationDescription
CONSENT2 yearsYouTube sets this cookie via embedded YouTube videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
uidsessionThis is a Google UserID cookie that tracks users across various website segments.
vuid1 year 1 month 4 daysVimeo installs this cookie to collect tracking information by setting a unique ID to embed videos on the website.
_ga1 year 1 month 4 daysGoogle Analytics sets this cookie to calculate visitor, session and campaign data and track site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognise unique visitors.
_ga_*1 year 1 month 4 daysGoogle Analytics sets this cookie to store and count page views.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

CookieDurationDescription
OAGEOsessionOpenX sets this cookie to avoid the repeated display of the same ad.
OAID1 yearCookie set to record whether the user has opted out of the collection of information by the AdsWizz Service Cookies.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE5 months 27 daysYouTube sets this cookie to measure bandwidth, determining whether the user gets the new or old player interface.
YSCsessionYoutube sets this cookie to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages.
yt-remote-connected-devicesneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt-remote-device-idneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt.innertube::nextIdneverYouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.
yt.innertube::requestsneverYouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

CookieDurationDescription
VISITOR_PRIVACY_METADATA5 months 27 daysDescription is currently not available.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by