The Deduplication service from UKChanges identifies or removes repeated records from within single databases or across multiple separate files of customer and prospect information.

Using advanced proprietary matching techniques and complex comparison algorithms, the dedupe service can identify repeated consumer records at forename, initial, surname, or address level, rationalising abbreviated titles and honours, as well as mis-spelt and phonetic matches. The business dedupe service is equally capable, operating at premise or business-name level, recognising standard identifiers and abbreviations.

The service can also be used to identify duplicates using other repeated data elements, such as telephone or mobile numbers, email addresses, date of birth, etc.

Whether using the deduplication service via the bureau or UKChanges>online, there are a variety of user options that make it possible to tailor the service to meet your requirements. In addition to specifying output options for the deduped files, such as flag or exclude, you can also determine acceptable matching levels and establish a hierarchy of the files being cross-referenced.

Our online multi-file dedupe process works on a ‘master’ file principle, with additional databases ordered and numbered. Duplicated records are matched back to their earliest occurrence in the hierarchy. This provides a quick and easy way of identifying specific record types on the master file, such as consumers, prospects, late payers, online-only users, etc. Flags can then be selected and records suppressed from the planned activity.

The bureau service does all of the above and more: providing a fully scalable, flexible deduplication and merge / purge service that can help you to sort and select files for campaign activities or completely overhaul your live and legacy databases to create a complete single customer view.

The UKChanges>online dedupe service works with all common data formats, making it easy to extract, upload, process and re-insert records from your existing databases. If you are using multiple files these can be uploaded manually, one at a time, or you can use a single .Zip file containing separate databases that will be extracted and passed through the field recognition process automatically.

The business benefits of the service range from simple cost savings by removing duplicate records from campaign files and excluding them from additional data processing, through to the many-fold advantages that organisations can achieve by knowing, understanding, recognising and responding to their customers in ways that build loyalty, relationships and long-term success.