POSTCODE technology specialist Postcode Anywhere, which is headquartered in Worcester, has announced a long-term partnership with Australian software company DataTools for a new smart address capture service known as Express Capture.

The system allows users to search for any part of an address efficiently by automatically narrowing down the potential matches with each key stroke, while also catering for common misspellings intelligently to find the correct address as quickly as possible. It is expected to be of particular interest to online businesses, charities and government organisations where incorrect address data can mean lost customers.

Benefits are also expected for Australian consumers. Postcode Anywhere chief executive Guy Mucklow said he expects the address validation and auto-complete technology to play an important part in changing the way Australians order goods online. The service makes address entry easier at checkout by combining search-engine style auto-suggest technology with worldwide address datasets.

He added: "Our goal is to help companies reduce the waste associated with bad data. Delays in payment receipt and parcel delivery failures can often be the result of inaccurate address data. The highly intuitive user interface of Express Capture enables businesses to close those gaps, while also improving the customer experience.”

Data Tools chief executive Sam Cutroni said the partnership gives DataTools customers immediate access to a comprehensive global reference database system which includes support for address validation in 240 countries.