The “Africa Mercy” is the largest civilian hospital ship in the world with over 400 volunteers on board. Mercy Ships, an aid organization that has been active for over 40 years, provides over 2,000 surgical and 8,000 dental procedures free of charge in developing countries every year. This means that people in developing nations can have access to medical care they would otherwise be unable to afford. The organization, which was founded in Lausanne, has also taken up the cause of supporting local healthcare systems through training and infrastructure projects.

Checking donor address lists

Regularly checking addresses is absolutely essential for administration at aid organizations. By 2016, Mercy Ships was already handling individual address issues and returns. Those in charge quickly realized that professional updates to the organization’s database involved a great deal of outlay. During a discussion with a Swiss Post customer advisor, the aid organization learnt about the “Address maintenance online” service, and it submitted an online order to have their existing addresses verified.

Finally up to date

Up-to-date and correct addresses are vital for forging customer relationships based on equal partnership. This was also the conclusion reached by those in charge at Mercy Ships. “Address alignment was completed at lightning speed – we were able to incorporate the updated addresses into our CRM system with great ease,” says Donor Relations Manager Christoph Baer, expressing his utmost satisfaction in the service.

50 percent fewer returns

The result of the address update was amazing: returns from the mailings were reduced by half thanks to regular address maintenance. According to Christoph Baer: “Correct addresses not only bring cost savings but are also important for our image.” It means the specialists at Mercy Ships are also able to concentrate on their core competencies and save resources. “The support and personal advice from our customer advisor really appealed to me and in the end won me over.” Mercy Ships has had a thoroughly positive impression of the partnership.

The benefits at a glance

• Free address database analysis
• Reduction in returns
• Time savings thanks to the efficient address updating system
• Simple integration into CRM (easy handling)
• Savings on postage and production costs
• Available around the clock
• Professional handling
• Personal, flexible advice

More information on address maintenance products