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home/Address validation/Pro Web (version 7.98)/Address search types/Verification

Verification

Verification searching is best used to check existing addresses in your applications. It can automatically verify and, if necessary, correct them. The Verification engine can also be used for straightforward address capture scenarios when you do not require the advanced features of Typedown or Singleline searching.

You can search by submitting complete addresses (separate address lines with commas). There are 6 possible verification levels for a Verification search.

There are three ways that the Verification engine can be used within an address capture environment:

Method

This is a multi-step process involving the following operations:

Operation SOAP Action Description
1. Can Search DoCanSearch Checks whether the combination of data mapping, engine and layout are valid for search.
2. Initial Search DoSearch Performs the initial search.
3. 'Step In' DoRefine 'Steps into' a picklist that was created during the previous search.
4. Refine DoRefine Refines the picklist that was created during the previous search.
5. Get Final Address DoGetAddress Creates a final formatted address from a previously created picklist item.

The typical search process for verification is as follows:

  1. Pre-check: an optional check on the validity of a search using the DoCanSearch action.
  2. Initial search: call the DoSearch action which returns a SearchResult object that may contain a FormattedAddress object and/or a Picklist object, as well as VerifyLevel.
  3. If picklists are not being handled, the integrator may simply check that the VerifyLevel is high enough before using FormattedAddress.
  4. (Optional step) if required: you can handle the picklist using the DoRefine action.
  5. Format the final address: once the final address has been identified, the DoGetAddress action will apply a layout to this item, returning a FormattedAddress object that contains the final formatted address.

Recommended integrations

Passive validation - no user interaction

The Verification search type may be used with no user interaction required after an initial search has been submitted.

This implementation of using the Verification search type means that addresses that are entered will be simply verified as being correct (Verified match, Verified street or Verified place) or not verified as being correct (Interaction required or Multiple matches).

  1. The user types the address into separate fields.
  2. The user then triggers the validation process (i.e. by hitting a button or tabbing out of the last box).
  3. The address entered will either be returned verified or not verified.

Verification no user interaction sequence diagram

The recommended workflow (as demonstrated by our sample code) is:

verification no user interaction developer workflow

The relevant address and enrichment components can be stored in your database if required.

Interactive validation - minimal user interaction

The Verification search type may be used with minimal interaction required after an initial search has been submitted. This does not require the use of suggestions, but may require a single confirmation by the user if the service is not highly confident in the match.

This method of using the Validation engine means that addresses that are entered will either be:

  • Verified as being correct
  • Verified as being correct after user confirmation
  • Not verified as being correct
  1. The user types the address into separate fields.
  2. The user then triggers the validation process (i.e. by hitting a button or tabbing out of the last box).
  3. The address will then either be:
    • A verified match. The matched address will be returned to the user.
    • More interaction required from the user to confirm the address is correct.
    • If address is not confirmed correct, the original entered address is presented as unverified.

Verificaiton minimal user interaction sequence diagram

The recommended workflow (as demonstrated by our sample code) is:

verification minimal user interaction developer workflow

The relevant address and enrichment components can be stored in your database if required.

Interactive validation - full user interaction

The Verification search type may be used with full user interaction after an initial search has been submitted. This will require the display and use of suggestions for searches that could not locate a single deliverable match.

This method of using the Validation engine means that addresses that are entered will either be:

  • Verified as being correct.
  • Verified as being correct after user confirmation.
  • Matched to one or more close addresses, which the user can interactively traverse.
  • Not verified.
  1. The user types the address into separate fields.
  2. The user then triggers the validation process (i.e. by hitting a button or tabbing out of the last box).
  3. The address will then either be:
    • A verified match. The matched address will be returned to the user.
    • More interaction required from the user to confirm the address is correct.
    • Multiple address options available. Users can choose between a list of options to confirm an address.
    • If address is not confirmed correct, the original entered address is presented as unverified.

Verification full user interaction sequence diagram

The recommended workflow (as demonstrated by our sample code) is:

Verifcation full user interaction developer workflow

The relevant address and enrichment components can be stored in your database if required.

Search examples

In this Verification search, the full address is used in the search. Providing the user enters all the information correctly and information exists in the dataset, a full verification should be returned.

To search for the residential address, Second Floor Flat, 60 Disraeli Road, Putney, London, SW15 2DS, in the United Kingdom, a user should follow these steps:

  1. Select the Verification search method.

  2. Select United Kingdom data from the Country or Datamap drop-down box.

  3. Type the following into the relevant Search fields:

    1. Second floor flat in the Address Line 1 Search field.
    2. 60 Disraeli Road* in the Address Line 2 Search field.
    3. Putney in the Address Line 3 Search field.
    4. London in the City Search field.
    5. SW15 2DS in the ZIP or Postal Code Search field.

  4. Click Next to perform the verification on the entered address.

    The following address is returned:

    Second Floor Flat
    60 Disraeli Road, Putney
    LONDON

    SW15 2DS
    United Kingdom

    Because the address exactly matched one in the data, Pro Web could return a verify level of "Verified" and a final captured address, without the need for the user to provide more information.

Although this example shows all the address elements being used to return a "Verified" level of verification, not all the elements are needed for this to occur. The same result would occur if the user entered the flat number, street number and street name, and postcode.

This Verification search shows what might be returned if the user attempts to verify an address without knowing the street number or street name.

As with the previous example, this search is for the residential address, Second Floor Flat, 60 Disraeli Road, Putney, London, SW15 2DS, in the United Kingdom, but, this time, the user does not know the street number or street name.

A user should follow these steps:

  1. Select the Verification search method.

  2. Select United Kingdom data from the Country or Datamap drop-down box.

  3. Type the following in the relevant Search fields:

    1. Second floor flat in the Address Line 1 Search field.
    2. Putney in the Address Line 3 Search field.
    3. SW15 2DS in the ZIP or Postal Code Search field.

  4. Click Next to perform the verification on the entered address.

    The following information is returned:

    Second floor flat
    Putney

    SW15 2DS
    United Kingdom

    Or accept the Address Found

    Second Floor Flat
    60 Disraeli Road, Putney
    LONDON

    SW15 2DS

    The user can choose to accept the address, as entered. Alternatively, the user can accept the address that has been found. Because the two addresses differ, Pro Web enables the user to choose the required address.

  5. Click the Accept button by the "Accept the Address Found" address.

    The final captured address is returned.

    Second Floor Flat
    60 Disraeli Road, Putney
    LONDON

    SW15 2DS
    United Kingdom

    Although the returned address is the same as in the Verification: Full example, the level of verification is different and additional user interaction was required.

This Verification search shows what is returned if the user attempts to verify an address without knowing the street number.

As with the previous examples, this search is for the residential address, Second Floor Flat, 60 Disraeli Road, Putney, London, SW15 2DS, in the United Kingdom, but, this time, the user does not know the street number.

A user should follow these steps:

  1. Select the Verification search method.
  2. Select United Kingdom data from the Country or Datamap drop-down box.
  3. Type the following in the relevant Search fields:
    1. Second floor flat in the Address Line 1 Search field.
    2. Disraeli Road in the Address Line 2 Search field.
    3. Putney in the Address Line 3 Search field.
    4. London in the City Search field.
    5. SW15 2DS in the ZIP or Postal Code Search field.
  4. Click Next to perform the verification on the entered address.

Because no street number was specified in the search, Pro Web returns a picklist of potential matches for the street name.

The user can choose to accept the address, as entered. Alternatively, the user can accept one of the suggested address matches that has been found.

Select "Second Floor Flat, 60 Disraeli Road" from the picklist.

The final captured address is returned.

Second Floor Flat
60 Disraeli Road, Putney
LONDON

SW15 2DS
United Kingdom

Although the returned address is the same as in the Verification: Full example, the level of verification is different and additional user interaction was required.

This Verification search shows what is returned if the user attempts to verify an address without knowing the sub-premises number.

As with the previous examples, this search is for the residential address, Second Floor Flat, 60 Disraeli Road, Putney, London, SW15 2DS, in the United Kingdom, but, this time, the user does not know the flat number.

A user should follow these steps:

  1. Select the Verification search method.

  2. Select United Kingdom data from the Country or Datamap drop-down box.

  3. Type the following in the relevant Search fields:

    • 60 Disraeli Road in the Address Line 2 Search field.
    • Putney in the Address Line 3 Search field.
    • London in the City Search field.
    • SW15 2DS in the ZIP or Postal Code Search field.

  4. Click Next to perform the verification on the entered address.

    Because no sub-premises details were specified in the search, Pro Web returns a picklist of the potential matches for the address 60 Disraeli Road.

    The user can choose to accept the address, as entered. Alternatively, the user can accept one of the suggested address matches that has been found.

  5. Select Second Floor Flat, 60 Disraeli Road from the picklist.

    The final captured address is returned.

    Second Floor Flat
    60 Disraeli Road, Putney
    LONDON

    SW15 2DS
    United Kingdom

    Although the returned address is the same as in the Verification: Full example, the level of verification is different and additional user interaction was required.

This Verification search shows what is returned if the user attempts to verify an address with information that matches equally to more than one address.

This search is for the residential address, 6 Disraeli Road, London, SW15 2DS, in the United Kingdom, but the user only knows the premises number, street name and city.

A user should follow these steps:

  1. Select the Verification search method.

  2. Select United Kingdom data from the Country or Datamap drop-down box.

  3. Type the following in the relevant Search fields:

    • 6 Disraeli Road in the Address Line 1 Search field.
    • London in the City Search field.

  4. Click Next to perform the verification on the entered address.

    Because not enough information was specified in the search, Pro Web returns a picklist of the potential matches for the address 6 Disraeli Road, London.

    The user can choose to accept the address, as entered. Alternatively, the user can accept one of the suggested address matches that has been found.

  5. Select "6 Disraeli Road, LONDON, SW15 2DS" from the picklist.

    The final captured address is returned.

    6 Disraeli Road

    LONDON

    SW15 2DS
    United Kingdom

This Verification search shows what is returned if the user attempts to verify an address without knowing the city or postcode details.

As with the previous examples, this search is for the residential address, Second Floor Flat, 60 Disraeli Road, Putney, London, SW15 2DS, in the United Kingdom, but, this time, the user does not know the city nor the postcode.

A user should follow these steps:

  1. Select the Verification search method.

  2. Select United Kingdom data from the Country or Datamap drop-down box.

  3. Type the following in the relevant Search fields:

    • Second Floor Flat in the Address Line 1 Search field.
    • 60 Disraeli Road in the Address Line 2 Search field

  4. Click Next to perform the verification on the entered address.

    Pro Web was unable to verify the address from the data. In addition, the information entered was not enough to enable Pro Web to return suggested matches for the user to manually verify.

Pro Web

Address search types