Posts Tagged ‘geocoding’
Compendium Of A Postal Code Maps
The use of the postal code map is becoming more popular as large companies and governmental agencies recognize the benefit of having a unique identifier for all of the cities in the world. Postal codes are used on a global basis with scanners in centralized postal stations that sort and distribute millions of letters, parcels and packages each day. The system of scanning posts is so efficient that the percentage of mail that is mishandled is minimal.
Many of the scanners used in centralized postal stations are designed to read bar codes that contain postal codes. Bar codes containing relevant data from the maps are affixed to envelopes and parcels and quickly distributed using the scanning machine.
Many of these scanners also are equipped to read handwritten letters and numbers on a parcel. When the letter goes through the scanning machine it translates the handwritten numbers and letters into codes that then transfer the letter to the appropriate distribution bin.
Postal stations are located in small towns and cities throughout the world. Postal employees collect and distribute mail in these small stations which are then collected by centralized postal collection teams. The centralized stations are located in large cities and often near airports.
The machines that are used in centralized stations are very large. They receive mail via a conveyor belt that narrows to a width that forces the letter under the scanner. When the letter has been scanned it is automatically transferred by conveyor belt to bins that are sent to distribution points locally, nationally, or internationally. When a department must manually sort mail that cannot be read by the scanner, the postal operator scans the handwritten numbers and letters. The data is then transferred to the main system which allows the scanning machine to read numbers and letters of that shape automatically when they are sent through the system again.
Inserting the wrong postal code can cause a letter to go awry. The letter or parcel may wind up in a foreign country and not be returned to the sender for several years. This is not the case when no number is put on the parcel. In that case a postal officer puts the proper postal code on the letter using information collected from the postal code map.
All scanning machines are connected using a global postal map that is contained in the hard drive of each machine. The data is regularly updated and is continually being improved to make the system more efficient. In some cases, the scanners are set to read the number closed to that shown on the postal map. When this number is incorrect, the letter can be lost.
When you need a postal code it is very easy to get the postal code map for your local area or region. Many people find that they are able to access a database of postal codes through websites that focus on the codes in different countries or regions.
Large companies are finding that using postal code maps as part of the electronic systems for tracking clients is cost effective and efficient. The codes assigned to each country, region, and city in the world are unique and make it very easy for large companies to electronically organize and store client records easily.
Canadian Corporate provides leading location content and software solutions. Location intelligence includes: location intelligence, address validation, Address database, geocoding software, postal code maps, address verification and Spatial data
Address Verification Software For Business Will Reduce Costs And Increase Profits
There are many benefits to using an address verification software for business. The software has become very sophisticated with functionality that could not even be imagined 10 years ago. Software applications can be integrated into e-commerce web sites and current software applications. Application programming interfaces are distributed to assist in customization of your current software. There is a wide variety of add-on advanced functionality available in the sophisticated software packages available today.
Incorrect address information flow into databases from data entry errors. These mistakes can be prevented with the implementation of an address verification system. An address can be verified as the data is being typed. Forms can be automatically filled with Intelligence and auto-complete features which also reduce the amount of keying. Data entry becomes faster which improves productivity. No longer will time be wasted as staff manually search for zip codes or correct spelling of cities and street names. Maintenance runs can be schedule that can correct old data which will ensure that data is clean.
Some systems include latitude and longitude mapping functionality. This can be used to improve route sales and delivery services. Map coordinates can be fed to a GPS Navigation system for quicker delivery. Zip code data can be used to assign sales leads to sales representatives helping turn a sales prospect into a customer.
Address validation software can reduce the cost of undeliverable mail that is returned. Having to re-mail is expensive in terms of supplies, postage, and manpower. You will have customers receive bills and invoices much faster so they will be able to pay you sooner. Improve your customer service by improving delivery times. You will see your expenses decrease and your cash flow increase plus you will have happier customers.
Modules that gather and organize customer demographic information can be used to target advertising based on Zip+4, bar code data, congressional district or census blocks. Make your address data work for you and not just sit idle in your database. When sales staff contact potential customers they can design their pitch based on the prospects demographic information.
An address verification system can be used to reduce fraud. By quickly identifying incorrect data you can reduce losses caused by fraud. Some application include a phone notification module. The system will schedule a call to the entered phone number so the number and location can be verified. Systems can cross-reference the Social Security Death Index database to stop false credit applications.
Google, USPS, and major delivery services like UPS already have application programming interfaces and subscription web services available for address verification. These services are low cost and sometimes free. For organization that have more advanced need there are many fine software packages available with the advanced features discussed here. You can take advantage of trial offers and demo versions to preview specific packages.
Once you have used an address verification system for business you won’t know how you ever lived without one. The benefits are tangible: reduced costs, increased cash flow, fraud prevention, improved customer service and more.
Canadian Coporate provides leading location content and software solutions to solve key business challenges. Location intelligence solution consisting of the most relevant location content which includes: address validation, address databes, geocoding software, postal code map, address verification and Spatial data.