AFD Products: Postcode Manual

AFD Postcode Manual: Overview

OVERVIEW

General Overview

Postcode is a very powerful address lookup system, and there are many different ways to harness it. Typically, Postcode can help in the following ways:

Rapid Address Entry
By entering property information and a postcode, Postcode can complete a full address - saving over 80% of keystrokes. With Robot technology you can do this automatically from right within your application.

Address Lookup & Verification
Many addresses and STD codes can be found using a single, simple entry box - and Postcode will work out what you are requesting and suggest a list of possible addresses. This means that tiny fragments of information can be converted into postcode level addresses with the minimum of effort. Note that, since AFD Postcode contains no building names or numbers, it cannot be used for verifying addresses - if you need to do this, or if you need to find missing postcodes, choose AFD Postcode Plus.

Label Printing
Postcode enables you to print individual mailing labels and envelopes: simply add a name and the property information to the address provided by Postcode.

Map Feature (Plotter version only)
The Map feature provides grid references for the postcode. This can help in geographical information systems - and Plotter also allows you to plot postcodes on a simple map to see their relative positions and to calculate approximate linear distances between locations.

Nearest Feature (Plotter version only)
Plotter has an inbuilt "Nearest" feature allowing you to create and maintain lists of branch offices, regional centres or contacts, then quickly determine which contact point is nearest the postcode you enter.

Starting the Program

From the Task Bar, select Start - Programs - AFD Postcode - Postcode

Postcode will display an information splash screen, then the Postcode Main Window will be loaded. If you have used any Command Line Options (see below), these may have customised the way in which Postcode will load.

Main Window

Most Postcode operations take place from the Main Window, and the method of operating the program will be familiar to Windows users, as the controls conform to Windows standards.

The Main Window consists of the following parts:

Menu
Use the menu to store and retrieve settings, print labels, change editing and viewing options, insert addresses into other programs, use advanced features of the Map or Nearest Facility (available to Plotter users only) - or use the on-line Help system.

Find Box & Lookup
Most rapid address entry or address lookups can be carried out from this single box - simply enter your request and click the Lookup Button.

Tabs
Five Tabs allow you to enter more complex search requests, view address data, print labels, view grid references and a map or use the Nearest feature.

Results List
Address lookup and search results are displayed in list format. Click on any record to see more detailed information.

Address, Postcode and Bank solutions