List Preparation:
Because DMS understands that a mailing is only as good as its list, we adapt our clients’ data into valuable directories.  DMS helps its customers reach their target audiences and reduce costs by only mailing to correct addresses.  DMS excels at converting files into mail-able lists.  We provide National Change of Address (NCOA) processing in order to correct addresses that may have changed since the last update.  Additionally, we use the CASS system, which improves the accuracy of carrier routes, zip codes, and delivery point codes.  DMS is also capable of eliminating duplicated records and suppressing previously targeted individuals from the mail list, which saves you money in postage.  If you do not have a mailing list, we will be happy to provide lists according to your objectives. 

Data Standardization:
In an ideal world, data is recorded in a consistent format.  In reality, however, data is presented in a diverse array of formats.  Fortunately, DMS can transform your list into a standard format that you prefer.  In the event that your data has been recorded in all capital letters, we will proper-case it if you wish.  We also offer upper-casing for the individual data fields, which enables you to emphasize particular categories such as your clients’ name.  DMS is capable of genderizing data as well.  This offering assigns a title to an individual based on his or her name.  Additional services include address standardization, field paring or concatenation, and numerous others.  Please contact us for more details.

Quality Control:
At Direct Mail Solutions, we are committed to mailing your piece according to your specifications and on time.  DMS has numerous quality control measures in place to guarantee that we meet your deadlines with highly accurate data processing.  We involve our clients in every step of the process.  Live testing shows you exactly what your mailing will look like.  This action allows both you and our account managers to confirm the job’s accuracy.  This testing also permits DMS to identify any unforeseen issues so that we can resolve them collaboratively.  In addition, we provide you with pieces from the actual mailing so that you can provide final approval on the day of the mailing.  Another feature of our quality control program is seeding, which allows you to receive a piece through the mail stream.  Internally, both a second data processor and an account manager will be reviewing the data work as well as the postal preparation.  This measure ensures both the integrity of your job and your receipt of the lowest postage rate possible.

Post Mailing Analysis:
Back-end analysis is the best way to ensure that your mailing meets your performance expectations.  We perform list sourcing and tracking in order to determine the origin of your responses.  Furthermore, we provide barcode sourcing, which enables us to tell you when your audience received your package.  If you are dissatisfied with your current direct mail results, DMS offers process consultations and database construction to make your data work for your campaign.

 

 

Preferred File Formats.
For printable version Click Here.

 

Media

DMS can accept data via the following transfer methods and media formats (listed in order of preference):

1. E-Mail. Please, no more than 10 MB per message.
2. ftp.directmailsolutions.com. See the section below for instructions.
3. CD-ROM.
4. Zip disc.
5. 9-track tape. - Please include the following:
1. Bpi (1600 or 6250)
2. Block size
3. Record size
4. File format (EBCDIC or ASCII)
5. Volume Type (unlabeled, fixed, variable)
6. Record Layout
6. Travan tape.
7. Floppy disc. (3.5”)

 

File Formats – Windows/PC Files ONLY

DMS accepts data in the following formats (listed in order of preference):

1. dBase table (any version).
2. Table in an Access database file.
3. Table in a detached MS SQL Server database file.
4. Delimited text file (comma-delimited, tab-delimited, etc.). Please include a list of field names as the first record.
5. Fixed-width text file (accompanied with field layout details).
6. A label-layout word processor document or text file.

 

FTP Transfers

Please contact us the information necessary to transfer files to or from our FTP site. 

Site address: ftp.directmailsolutions.com

You can deposit files in the incoming directory.  If you have been instructed to download a file, it can be retrieved from the outgoing directory.

Please note that while the general customer FTP account cannot get a listing of the files in the [incoming] directory, it can be used to retrieve files from this directory, if the filename is known. Secure customer-specific directories can be created if necessary.

File Compression

Please compress all data files when possible. Feel free to password-protect them if appropriate.

1. Any version of WinZip
2. Any version of PKZip
3. Any version of Stuff-It
4. Any self extracting executable files

Encryption

DMS can accept self-decrypting archives and data encrypted with other programs. Your account manager can answer any questions or direct you to someone within the IS group that can provide more detailed information.

 

NOTES
Please remember that regardless of the file format, data conversion and list processing effort is largely determined by the structure of the address information. For fastest list processing, address information should be broken out according to the following format (all fields are of type character):

Please also insure that records (lines) in all text files are delimited using one of the following standard conventions: DOS/Windows (0xD/0xA), Unix (0xA), or Macintosh (0xD).

Note that a file definition or layout table should accompany all data files.