September 2002

If you're running an application on Microsoft Pocket PC-based PDAs that involves entering addresses, you might be able to take advantage of a new product called Pocket Postcode from AFD Software. With the system installed, the user simply enters a house or building number and postcode (which can be unformatted), and the software slots in the correct address. AFD is targeting users such as courier companies, and says the system cuts data entry time by 85 per cent.

It works in stand-alone mode, but the company says it also integrates readily with other software, and it provides examples of how this is done. For the technically-minded, the system comes with dynamic link libraries (DLLs) that you can access from your own applications.

Incorporated in the system is Royal Mail PAF (Postal Address File) data covering street, locality, town, county, STD codes and mailsort codes. It requires 18 Mb of storage space on the PDA, which may seem a lot or a little depending on how much capacity you have.

A nice optional extra is Pocket Postcode Plotter, which is said to provide Ordnance Survey grid references for most postcodes. This makes it possible, for instance, to work out the distance between postcodes and build "find nearest" locators, or to allocate customers to specific sales territories or delivery areas.

 

The system costs £15 a month, including regular updates under the AFD's POP email scheme.

• AFD also offers a platform-independent networked system, Postcode Everywhere, which uses XML to transmit address data in a standard format to any type of computer or application, from client-server terminal to remote PDA.