LACSLINK

What is LACSLINK?

It is the automatic conversion of "RR" (Rural Route) and "HC" (Highway Contract) addresses to normal street addresses.

The ShipRush Address Validation feature may do this automatically when the core database indicates it is appropriate.

Background:

For years, many rural dwellers have had mailing addresses that look something like:

   Route 2, Box 100

This addressing standard is being slowly phased out, over the course of several years. While not yet rolled out at the time of this writing, the ShipRush address validation feature will automatically change these addresses to normal looking street addresses.

This is normal and expected behavior of the Address Validation feature.

The following is excerpted from a USPS newsletter that discusses LACSLINK:

The Postal Service has introduced a new product — LACSLINK — for updating addresses after Enhanced 911 (E-911) conversions take place. It features the USPS-developed “LINK” technology that maintains the privacy and security of data while allowing mailers easy access to it.

Since the mid 1980s, the E-911 emergency response system has meant the conversion of rural route-style addresses to city-style street names across America. E-911 automatically associates a physical address with the telephone number from which an emergency call is made to police, fire or ambulance so authorities can respond faster.

Understanding that this could affect mailers, the Postal Service originally developed the Locatable Address Conversion System (LACS), which provides mailers with an automated method of obtaining new address information when a 911 conversion has occurred. Now the Postal Service’s Address Management group is offering LACSLINK, which features the same secure data store design and encryption technology used in NCOALINK. This “LINK” technology maintains the privacy and security of the data while allowing mailers easy access when they have an outdated address that needs to be converted.