Downloading Data the First Time

Before TrueAddress (TA) can be used, the most current copy of the CASS, EWS (if being used), and NCOA (if being used) data must be downloaded to the appropriate directory on the server or computer where TA is installed.

Window Book provides the most recent CASS and EWS data for the Client to copy. Obtaining the USPS-provided NCOALink data for copying to the appropriate ‘TrueAddress’ directory is the responsibility of the Client. More information is provided at the end of this procedure.

SFTP is to be used on an on-going basis for the Window Book-supplied CASS and EWS data transfers/updates. It can also be used for the USPS-supplied NCOA data transfer/updates. For the purpose of this document, Window Book uses WinSCP. For a link to download WinSCP and instructions on how to install it, refer to Appendix 1 - Installing WinSCP.

These instructions assume that WinSCP has already been installed.

For the initial or first time download CASS data and EWS data (optional) after TA has been installed and registered, perform the following:

  1. In the WinSCP Login window, enter the Host name. The Host name is “sftp.trueaddress.net”.

    Enter the User name (login ID) and Password received from Window Book and click Save.

  2. A Save session as site screen will display. If preferred, change the Site name from the default provided, which comprised of the User name and Host name (in this example, WBQA@sftp.trueaddress.net). For ease-of-use, select the Create desktop shortcut checkbox and click OK.

  3. The Save session as site screen will close and the Login screen will be displayed. Click Login.

  4. A Warning dialog may display, asking the user whether or not they want to “Continue connecting to unknown server and add its host key to a cache?” Click Yes to continue.

    A Searching for host screen will display and show the process of connecting to the Data server (Searching…, Connecting…, Authenticating…, Using…, etc.).

    If, the screen updates and requests a password, the password initially entered (step 1 above) was most likely typed incorrectly. Entering the correct password and clicking OK should resolve the issue.

  5. When the connection successfully completes the Searching for host screen will automatically close and the main WinSCP screen will display. The panel on the left represents the local server or computer and the panel on the right, Window Book’s host server (sftp.trueaddress.net).

    In the panel on the left, navigate to the ‘…\WB\TrueAddress\Data’ folder using the Open Directory/Bookmark icon.

    Then, in the panel on the right, double-click on the ‘data’ directory to open it.

  6. In the ‘data’ directory will be two files: “CASS_Data_[YYYY_MM].zip”; and “ews.txt”. These two files need to be downloaded to the appropriate TrueAddress directories on the Client’s computer or server. Single-click on the “CASS_Data_[YYYY_MM].zip” file and drag it to the left panel.

  7. A Download dialog will display. Confirm the “CASS_Data_[date].zip” file is being transferred to the correct place, ‘…WB\TrueAddress\Data’. Click OK to continue.

    A Downloading dialog will display showing the progress of the data download. The CASS_Data zip file is large; therefore, it will take a few moments for the transfer to complete.


    When the transfer or download completes, the Downloading dialog will automatically close, and the main WinSCP screen will display. The “CASS_Data_[date].zip” file will be in the ‘…WB\TrueAddress\Data’ folder.

  8. On the Client’s computer or server, navigate to the ‘…WB\TrueAddress\EWS’ directory. Repeat the transfer or download process for the “EWS.txt” file, placing it in the ‘…WB\TrueAddress\EWS’ directory.

  9. Launch Windows Explorer and navigate to the ‘…WB\TrueAddress\Data’ directory. Locate the transferred “CASS_Data_[YYYY_MM].” file and right click on it. Select Extract All.

  10. A Select Destination and Extract Files screen will display. Make sure to use Browse to select the ‘…WB\TrueAddress\Data’ directory (the function will attempt to extract the data to a default location consisting of a folder named the same name as the zip file). Click Extract when ready.

    A Copying dialog will display that shows the progress of the extraction. Due to the size of the zip file, the extraction will take a few moments.

    When the extraction is complete, the contents of the “CASS_Data_[date].zip” file will display in the ‘Data’ directory.

  11. The first-time CASS and EWS data transfer are complete!

    Clients must update the CASS data monthly. If using EWS, the EWS file must be updated weekly. The procedure for updating the existing data updates differs slightly from the first-time procedure documented above.

    Window Book does not provide the necessary NCOALink data and is therefore not responsible for the update of the NCOALink data in TA. Clients should refer to their specific licensee performance requirements dictated by the USPS for determining how they are to receive their NCOALink data, when it should be updated, and all other NCOA data management requirements.

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