Our aim at DataTools is to produce data quality software that can read and process data as easily as we do. Computers don’t intuitively do this, so we have developed an advanced Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) specifically tailored to understand the language of addresses. We called it DataTools’ Human Touch™.
Understanding an Address
Reading and understanding an address can seem quite simple, at least for humans. Let's take this example.
17 Minto Avenue  Epping VIC 3076
With some basic knowledge of Australian addresses, it’s easy to identify the separate pieces that makeup the address, thus giving the address some meaning.
Street Number
17
Street Name
Minto
Street Type
Avenue
Street Locality
Epping
State
VIC
Postcode
3076
Programming a computer to split the above address into 6 words and giving each word a meaning based on its position is not that difficult.
Meaning and Context
So, you might be saying “this doesn’t look that hard” - and you’d be right, at least for the above example.
But true meaning doesn’t simply come from position or understanding words like AVENUE. True meanings also requires context.
See how the directional words NORTH, SOUTH, and EAST have different meanings in this address.
668 Old Esk North Road South East Nanago QLD 4615
Street Number
668
Street Name
Old Esk North
Street Type
Road
Street Direction
South
Street Locality
East Nanago
State
QLD
Postcode
4615
Whilst your human brain may have been able to split the above example into the correct elements, an address like this can be difficult for software
to interpret.
Here are just few more real-life examples of how Australian addresses are formatted.
GROUND FLOOR 32 LINCOLN SQ N CARLTON VIC 3053
7 VICTOR HARBOR-GOOLWA RD PORT ELLIOT SA 5212
LEVEL 1 34-36A DARLINGHURST RD POTTS POINT NSW 2011
2227 THE MASTERS ENCLAVE HOPE ISLAND QLD 4212
LOT 186 MCCAULEY MARBLE TOP RD TEELAH QLD 4314
85 GREAT NORTHERN HWY ST GEORGE RANGES WA 6728
DUPLEX 1 LOT 34 BETHANY PL UPPER COOMERA QLD 4209
LEVEL 3A 43-45 EAST ESPLANADE MANLY NSW 2095
SITE 1 BASEMENT 211 LAKE ENTRANCE RD SHELLHARBOUR CITY CENTRE NSW 2529
UNIT 1 30 T E PETERS DR BROADBEACH WATERS QLD 4218
*All these addresses are sourced from Australia Post’s Postal Address File and are 100% accurate Australian addresses.
Meaning is important, because until you derive meaning from an address it is very difficult to standardise, repair and use it to match against another address.