Project Déjà vu

Address matching brings real-world benefits

As part of round one of the Market Improvement Fund (MIF), Precision Data Solutions spearheaded a pilot project known as Project Deja Vu. The name “Deja Vu” was chosen because the team, having previously been involved in a similar matching project in Scotland matching SPIDs to the Scottish Assessor’s Association (SAA) data, was now applying their experience and improving processes for the English market. The primary objective was to cleanse and match a selection of core supply points (SPIDs) to their relevant Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) and Valuation Office Agency (VOA) reference. This initiative aimed to enhance the quality of customer address data, expedite issue resolution, and mitigate wholesaler-retailer friction by improving the accuracy and cleanliness of address data.

Challenges:

Data Quality and Matching: Core supply points (SPIDs) lacked accurate matches with their corresponding UPRN/VOA references, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies in data management and customer service.

Solutions Implemented:

Precision Data Solutions employed advanced matching algorithms and data cleansing techniques to address the challenges faced:

• Enhanced Matching Algorithms: Leveraging sophisticated matching algorithms, the team identified and rectified discrepancies between SPIDs and UPRN/VOA references, ensuring accurate and consistent data alignment.
• Comprehensive Data Cleansing: Through meticulous data cleansing processes, redundant and inaccurate records were removed, leading to a cleaner and more reliable dataset.

Outcomes:

• Greater Data Coverage: The project resulted in increased coverage of VOA and UPRN matches, providing a more comprehensive understanding of customer addresses and property references.
• Identification of Missing Sites: Precision Data Solutions successfully identified missing sites within the dataset, enabling stakeholders to address gaps in coverage and improve data completeness.
• Deregistration Recommendations: The project identified instances where deregistration was recommended, e.g. because premises had been demolished or converted to household premises, facilitating more efficient resource allocation and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Meaningful Address Updates: By providing meaningful address updates, the accuracy and relevance of customer address data were significantly enhanced, leading to improved service delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Premises Segmentation: The project enabled greater segmentation of premises based on accurate and updated data, facilitating targeted marketing efforts and resource allocation.

Results:

From the circa 20,000 SPIDs used within Project Déjà vu, over 3 wholesale areas, the below results can be found:

• 33% average increase in VOA/BA Reference matches where this didn’t exist in the market before the project
• An average of 6% where the project identified a change or more suitable match to the VOA/BA Reference in the market
• 13% average increase in UPRN matches where this didn’t exist in the market before the project
• An average of 11% where the project identified a change or more suitable match to the UPRN in the market
• 4210 missing sites identified within the surrounding areas from the selected 20,000 SPIDs
• 5% of premises identified required deregistration (demolished, change of use, etc)
• 10% of premises identified required an address cleanse recommendation to improve accuracy

You can find an interview about the project and its results here

Testimonials:

Mike Rathbone, Market Strategy Manager at Severn Trent, commends the impact of the project:

Conclusion:

Market Improvement Fund Project Deja Vu exemplifies Precision Data Solutions’ commitment to driving tangible improvements in data quality and operational efficiency within the utilities sector. Through strategic interventions and advanced data management techniques, the project successfully addressed key challenges, resulting in enhanced data accuracy, streamlined operations, and improved customer service. This initiative underscores the value of collaborative efforts in driving positive change and innovation within the market.