System and method for data cleansing
View Patent ↗A business information service provides data cleansing to correct and update both domestic and global addresses. A combination of processes generate cleansed data for input into a matching process. The matching process matches information about a business, including the address, to a unique business identifier in at least one database of business information. The matching process is more successful with more standard and accurate input addresses.
1. A method for data cleansing, comprising:
receiving an input postal address and a DUNS number;
comparing said input postal address to a standard;
providing a single best postal address derived from said input postal address, based on said comparison;
matching said DUNS number and said single best postal address to a database having DUNS numbers associated with postal addresses, to find a matching postal address in said database; and
correcting said input postal address based on said matching postal address.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said database is an advanced office system (AOS).
3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
providing a match project analysis report.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
converting said input postal address to a predetermined record layout, before comparing said input postal address to said standard.
5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
associating said input postal address with a code, said code being used to determine said single best postal address.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
associating said input postal address with a score, said score being used to determine said single best postal address.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said standard is selected from the group consisting of: ZIP+4 coding, coding accuracy support system (CASS), Locatable Address Conversion System (LACS), delivery sequence file (DSF), and National Change of Address (NCOA).
8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: sending a status notification to a user who supplied said input postal address.
9. A computer implemented system for data cleansing, comprising:
a pre-auditor that generates a report having a plurality of views of an input address file, said input address file including a record having an input postal address and a DUNS number;
a verifier that finds and removing any invalid records from said input address file;
a vendor interface that sends said input address file and an order to a vendor, and receives a file of standardized postal addresses from said vendor;
a component that compares said input postal address to said standardized postal addresses;
a component that provides a single best postal address derived from said input postal address, based on said comparison;
a matcher that matches said DUNS number and said single best postal address to a database having DUNS numbers associated with postal addresses, to find a matching postal address in said database; and
a component that corrects said input postal address based on said matching postal address.
10. The system according to claim 9 , further comprising:
an investigator that investigates any address not matched, upon request.
11. The system according to claim 9 , wherein said plurality of views includes a view selected from the group consisting of: alphabetical, most frequent content, and alpha characters only.
12. The system according to claim 9 , wherein said vendor standardizes postal addresses using at a process selected from the group consisting of: Locatable Address Conversion System (LACS), delivery sequence file (DSF), and National Change of Address (NCOA).
13. A machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon to perform a method for data cleansing, comprising:
receiving an input postal address and a DUNS number;
comparing said input postal address to a standard;
providing a single best postal address derived from said input postal address based on said comparison;
matching said DUNS number and said single best postal address to a database having DUNS numbers associated with postal addresses, to find a matching postal address in said database; and
correcting said input postal address based on said matching postal address.