AFD Latest News

Data-Driven Insight

Thursday, October 08, 2020

In this edition of Postcode News, we highlight how data analysis (in one case, facilitated by AFD) has been used by two different organisations to identify changing patterns in customer behaviour, enabling the businesses to work with AFD to adapt their systems to provide better customer service.

Paultons Park, the home of Peppa Pig World, discovered that they were receiving customer bookings primarily through mobile devices. This led to their entire booking process being redesigned to ensure a seamless mobile booking experience. AFD’s Geolocation lookup is a key part of their new “frictionless checkout”.

APC Overnight is the UK’s largest independent delivery network, helping deliver goods for over 35,000 businesses. Historically, deliveries have been Business to Business but this has started to shift over the past five years. Find out how AFD helped them identify the spilt between commercial and residential properties, to then deliver a better solution to validate address data.

Oct 2020

AFD’s expert Data Teams have spent the last year improving both the quantity and quality of existing grid reference data, and how quickly new postcodes have grids added to them.

Oct 2020

APC Overnight was born in 1994 from a group of highly experienced delivery operators who collectively shared a passion for providing the highest levels of service to their customers.

Today, APC Overnight is the UK’s largest independent delivery network made up of 100 independent courier businesses who support 35,000, business with their parcel services.

Oct 2020

Paultons Park is the number one theme park in 2020 according to TripAdvisor, an honour that has been held now for 5 years running. Home of Peppa Pig World and over 70 rides and attractions in the New Forest National Park, one million people visit each year for day trips or short breaks.

Aug 2020

It has been 25 years since the first edition of Postcode News was sent out as an “occasional newsletter to help you keep in touch with developments of AFD”.

We wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate the 100th edition by looking back at a timeline of innovation within the organisation, showcase new technologies and highlight our plans to continue developing first-class data validation and cleansing solutions to solve our customers’ challenges well into the future. Our commitment is as strong as ever to continue to serve you.

Jul 2020

Innovation is key to growth. AFD Software has grown to become the world’s leading specialist on UK addressing by understanding the pains our customers face and developing solutions to solve them.

Our highly experienced team has over 450 years of combined experience helping organisations get data right. Although some of our team were not born when PN1 was delivered in 1995, [Ed, eek!], many of the younger professionals in our business have spent their whole working lives with us, attracted by our good working conditions and kept engaged by our innovation, thus becoming experts in their own right.

We have highlighted some of the key AFD developments over the years, demonstrating our history of innovation.

AFD Maps, Geocode, Geolocate, Boundary data and Enhanced Nearest

Jul 2020

Our exciting new developments around mapping, geolocation, geocoding and nearest functionality are helping organisations speed up the process and providing the optimal route to get their customers to the right location. Geolookup functionality allows a customer to enter the full address of their current location with one button press, ideal for customers on mobile devices with fiddly keyboards.

Jul 2020

KBIS Insurance is the largest independent equine insurance provider in the UK and featured in the first edition of Postcode News 25 years ago in 1995! We recently talked with Guy Prest, Managing Director at KBIS, to learn more about the history of KBIS, the relationship with AFD and what the future holds.

Apr 2020

Speaking about the key role AFD has in British Logistics, AFD Group Managing Director David Dorricott states; "Since more products like food, medicines and supplies are being delivered direct, our technologies are even more vital and important than ever. We can make our very special contribution to the stability and reliability of the supply chain, by continuing to provide excellent data products and services, and supporting them fully throughout what we believe will be a very long period of disruption.

Apr 2020

High streets are empty, retail parks have shut their gates and all but essential shops are closed indefinitely. Whilst physical stores may be closed, consumers are finding different ways to buy goods and online shopping is surging. There is much less infection risk in shopping this way, especially if you are highly vulnerable. Business focus is switching like never before and needs to ensure its e-commerce presence is at its best to ensure consumers are able to buy their goods or services from you.

Apr 2020

In March, when we counted the collective data management experience in the team at AFD, it was just over 450 years. Over half the team has been with the organisation for over 10 years and we have 9 team members who have been a part of AFD for over 20 years!

Apr 2020

During the unprecedented situation we currently find ourselves in, where people, especially the highly vulnerable, have been asked to stay within their homes, delivery services have become vital. To maximise the efficiency of these already stretched services and ensure vital supplies are reaching those in need, having accurate contact data – name, address, sometimes email and phone number too - is essential.

Jan 2020

Joe Browns was founded in 1998 as a mail order clothing business that has now grown to a large online lifestyle brand with an increasing physical retail presence. Inspired by a group of friends’ collective spirit of being “fun, spontaneous and free”, these foundations have been retained and instilled into the culture, staff, products, website, catalog and stores.

Jan 2020

Twenty-three years ago, in January 1997, AFD Software anticipated the impending business opportunities that the internet and online shopping would bring. “Postcode Internet” was launched, allowing - for the first time - websites accepting orders and capturing customer details to validate the address provided, so making orders easier to complete for the customer, and delivery more accurate and reliable.

Jan 2020

In early November last year, AFD Software hosted its 2019 charity evening at Babbages, the events venue located at Mountain View Innovation Centre in the Isle of Man.

Eircode – Ireland's Postcode...Four Years On

Oct 2019

In July 2015, Eire's (southern Ireland's) new postcode system "Eircode" was launched - which gave every single one of the 2.2 million letterbox addresses in Ireland its own unique Eircode. Prior to the introduction of Eircode, over 35% of addresses were not uniquely identifiable, making deliveries and identification of individual properties difficult.

Oct 2019

Data quality is always important, but it can be literally of life or death importance in the Health Sector. Patient care, confidentiality, performance monitoring and correct funding are all impacted by data accuracy. To ensure correct care and confidentiality, patient data needs to be accurate, complete and valid. Any staff member inputting data will need the tools in place to achieve this.

University of Bolton, University of Dundee

Jul 2019

Many people know of the expression "Red-brick universities", but did you know there are "Plateglass universities" too? At the time of year when many "A" level students await results to see if they can get into the Higher Education (HE) institution of their choice, (whether Red-brick, Plateglass or any other kind!), we look at the challenges which face the HE sector around capturing student data, reporting on graduate outcomes and widening participation to groups less likely to matriculate.

Jul 2019

Diamond Jubilee - the Postcode 2019 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Postcode in the UK. We enter our Postcode almost daily for online shopping, confirming identity, checking the traffic home, planning journeys for the following day etc. In fact, a recent survey by the Royal Mail showed some people are more likely to know their Postcode than remember birthdays and key anniversaries! But how well do we know the history of the Postcode?

Apr 2019

House plants have recently seen huge growth in popularity as people have switched on to the benefits they bring.

Apr 2019

As the largest conservation charity in the country, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is instrumental in ensuring the protection of wildlife and the countryside. Numerous examples of safeguarding species at risk of extinction by the RSPB include Ospreys, Red Kites and the Whitetailed Eagle.

Jan 2019

AFD’s new suppression service gives organisations even more accuracy in their data by removing or updating out-of-date contact data. Records are suppressed if the contact has deceased, or moved and not provided a forward address. If a forwarding address has been supplied by the contact, the record is updated with the most recent address available.

Jan 2019

Do you trust the accuracy of your data? For over 35 years, AFD Software has helped organisations get their data right and ensure the answer to this question is “yes”! AFD’s solutions can help clean up data already held within your databases – then ensure data accuracy continues to be achieved at the point of entry.

Jan 2019

In early December AFD Software hosted its 2018 charity evening at Babbage's, the events venue located at Mountain View Innovation Centre in the Isle of Man.

Jan 2019

Thirty Five years in business is quite a journey – from a loft in a 2-bed semi to a business that now employs over a hundred people in several countries. As we reflect on that journey, perhaps the most exciting thing is that the business has been able to make a real and substantial difference to many people in many places.

Oct 2018

AFD Software’s new phone-validation feature can greatly reduce the number of errors (or invalid phone numbers) entered into your organisation’s records. You will have much more confidence in your data and customers will receive the communications you intended!

Oct 2018

A new, upgraded version of AFD’s Postcode Evolution service (the server solution for accessing AFD’s datasets) has been completed by our Technical teams and is now ready for all AFD customers to benefit from.

Oct 2018

This summer has seen recording-breaking temperatures across the UK and climate change has been more visible than ever.

AFD Software is leading the field amongst technology companies in the British Isles to reduce its carbon footprint as it actively seeks ways to become greener as an organisation.

AFD Group Donated Aircraft Responds to Sulawesi Disaster

Oct 2018

AFD Software donation providing emergency assistance to Indonesia.

In 2008 the AFD Group, announced the donation of a brand new Kodiak Bush Aircraft for use by Christian charity Mission Aviation Fellowship in Borneo.

The new Kodiak aircraft visited the Isle of Man in October 2009 on its journey from the manufacturers in the USA to Asia. A major open day was held at the Andreas Airfield – and many of AFD’s staff, as well as members of the Manx Community were able to view and fly in the aircraft – then registered as N97 10M.

Jul 2018

Managing the world’s largest online Football, Tennis, Rugby and Cricket stores comes with its own set of unique challenges. We caught up with Nick Marlow - Project Manager of Platform Operations at Pro:Direct Sport - to find out more.

Jul 2018

Just over a month has passed since the General Data Protection Regulation became law around Europe. I’m sure you have received enough emails containing the subjects; “GDPR” “opt-in” and “subscribe” to last a lifetime! Many of these coming from organisations you had never previously heard of or remember giving any details to.

Apr 2018

2018 marks the 35th anniversary of AFD’s humble beginnings in a small Scottish village. In this edition of Postcode News, we take a look at the AFD story – growing from a home-based business into the leading data validation solution provider in the UK.

Jan 2018

After four years of preparation and debate, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was finally approved by the EU Parliament on 14th April 2016.

Jan 2018

Imagine being able to revolutionise education with relational-based, project-based learning that arouses and sustains a child’s curiosity.

Oct 2017

The Historical Association brings together people who love history, study history and teach history. Its members and subscribers want access to an unparalleled depth of history-related learning resources and to engage with a like-minded community. The Association has delivered this as a charity since it was founded in 1906.

Sep 2017

AFD Software – trusted experts in name, address and bank data validation solutions recently sponsored My Home Move’s Head of Legal Practice Rob Gurney to cycle the length of the country!

Jul 2017

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has an important role in English football. It protects, improves and negotiates the conditions, rights and status of thousands of professional players – and has done so for over a century. Today, it is the longest-established professional sports union in the world, enabling its members to thrive.

Jul 2017

In your customer, prospect, supporter or member data is hidden valuable insight and understanding waiting to be discovered. Imagine being able to better understand the patterns of success in your organisation and use this knowledge to increase the effectiveness of your marketing, communications and planning. With Censation® you can.

Apr 2017

Have you implemented email address checking from AFD Software?

Apr 2017

If you could choose between getting one in ten railway journeys free or, having the money for the tenth journey invested to improve the rail network - which would you choose?

Jan 2017

With nearly 50,000 customers across 107 branches, Safestore is the largest UK self-storage group.

Jan 2017

Imagine being able to choose a charity and have a donation made on your behalf by the company you work for. That is what happens each year at AFD Software and our colleagues love it

Oct 2016

If you have visited Ireland, you will know that finding a specific Irish address can be difficult. Why? Mainly because one third of Irish addresses are not unique – and they have no property name or number.

Oct 2016

What will drive your organisation to new levels of excellence in data stewardship and accuracy? In our search for extra insight to help you achieve more, we met with Skipton Building Society. Why? We reckoned we ought to be able to learn from an organisation driven to excellence not only by regulation and duty of care but also by its culture. We were not disappointed!

Jul 2016

Unique Fundraising had some unique issues with address and bank data validation. It started with a conversation with us about connectivity and losing customers. It progressed to not only solving this problem but uncovering savings of over £40,000 through extracting untapped wealth from existing data. How? Through our free consultancy.

Apr 2016

Colleges and Further Education organisations rely on accurate contact data for a number of reasons, including communications and engagement with students, parents and employers, accurate data returns, and geodemographic profiling of students allowing a better understanding of their background.

Jan 2016

Towards the end of last year, AFD software held its annual charity event which celebrated staff-nominated donations to well over seventy charities, with donations totalling over £750,000.

Jan 2016

During an upgrade to a new Enterprise Resource Planning System, Corney & Barrow implemented tight address data controls to maximise customer relationships in both the UK and Asia.

Nov 2015

After analysing their address data using our Free Healthcheck Service, MTA were disappointed with the poor state of their address book until AFD was implemented.

Oct 2015

In 2015, AFD Software relocated to the Mountain View Innovation Centre (MVIC). The £3 million investment delivers spacious office accommodation, recreational and social facilities.

Apr 2015

StepChange Debt Charity added automatic data updates, transparent licensing and resilience when they made the upgrade to AFD.

Apr 2015

Wincanton saved customers time and money by optimising order of deliveries and minimising failed deliveries.

Jan 2015

Multi-channel mail order company Damart minimise duplicate UK and US customer details in mail order data entry, their contact centre and website.

AFD Mobile Product Range for Android, iOS and Windows Mobile Devices

Apr 2014

AFD Mobile Products are proven in the field to speed up data entry on the move by up to 90% and minimise errors.

Jan 2014

Each year AFD Group staff are invited to nominate a charity which the company can support by making a donation on their behalf. In November last year more than 50 charities received donations including the National Autistic Society (NAS) and Hope for Justice.

Jan 2014

Imagine a rapid, accurate address entry solution that needs no integration to work with any Windows application – yet it works seamlessly. Just type the postcode or partial address into the program and the address appears.

Jan 2014

Johnston Press have saved staff time, become more responsive and minimised operational errors with AFD.

Oct 2011

Yorkshire Water use Names & Numbers to find customer contact name and address details faster – with as many phone numbers as possible.

Sep 2009

Reverse searching for customers by using either telephone number or postcode helps minimise abandoned calls and speed up data entry by up to 90%.

Fast, Accurate Address Entry

Case Study

StepChange

Validate Global Addresses

Case Study

Damart

Email Validation

Phone Validation

Name and Address Validation

Case Study

Yorkshire Water

Cleanse Address Databases

Case Study

Corney and Barrow

Check Bank & Card Details

Case Study

Unique Fundraising

Mapping and Visualisation

Nearest

Geolocate, Geocode and Boundaries

Tailored Solutions

Case Study

Johnston Press

Developer Free Integrations

Software Development Kits

AFD Robot®

Instant Web Integration

Dynamics 365 Integration

SalesForce Integration

Magento Integration

Shopify Integration

.NET SDK

Java SDK

Angular Module

jQuery Plugin

iOS SDK

Android SDK

XML - Postcode Evolution

JSON/JSONP

UNIX/LINUX

C / C++

Oracle

Perl

PHP

Software Development

Banking and Finance

Case Study

Skipton Building Society

Charities and NFP

Case Study

Unique Fundraising

Logistics & Distribution

Case Study

Wincanton Home Delivery

Address, Location and Property Data

Multi-Channel Retail

Case Study

Corney and Barrow

Insurance

Education

Case Study

Preston's College

Legal

Case Study

MTA Solicitors

Health

Case Study

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