iMatch

Adapting to specific data sets

With iMatch, the matching can be configured for any source system with the ability to match any address field to the appropriate one from the gazetteer. The product can then be adapted to each data set by being able to get it to ignore addresses with specific phrases such as “land adjacent to” or ignore specific words contained within an address such as “ltd”.

Automatic match mode

iMatch minimises the effort in a matching exercise by having an automatic match mode, where any matching score above a certain threshold is matched without any further manual action. This can be done for millions of records. Addresses that do not meet the matching threshold can be manually matched with the aid of the tool.

As one set of matching criteria is unlikely to yield the best overall automatic match result, the tool can be configured to go through multiple automatic matching passes each having a different set of criteria. This minimises the number that need to be matched manually, therefore saving huge amounts of time. 

Manual match mode

As well as allowing you to set up automated matching runs, iMatch enables you to interactively match addresses that couldn’t be matched on an automated run. This is usually where the address to be matched has errors, is incomplete or has multiple potential matches. In these cases, only a manual decision can ensure the correct match is made. iMatch makes this process easy and straight forward.

Application cross reference file

iMatch can also generate an application cross reference file. This links the unique identifier from the source system with the unique id from the gazetteer, ie the UPRN (Unique Property Reference Number). This file can then be imported into the gazetteer to establish a link between addresses and subsequently be used by our data sharing tool iExchange to identify which address changes need to be sent to a recipient system.