AFD Current News

Welcome to the Spring edition of Postcode News in this our 30th Anniversary year.

Sport Relief achieved a record breaking total in 2012 and AFD Software is delighted to be part of this award winning success. Find out how. Plus...

Censation® classifies postcodes so you know what your best customers look like. Then you can find more of them! Newly launched, the latest version is completely refreshed using the latest Census and research data. It's simple and it works.

Using Android™? Good, what could the newly built AFD Names & Numbers for Android do for your organisation?

Need to extend your use of AFD Software into new applications? Easy! And we have special plug-ins for popular solutions such as Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 and Salesforce CRM.

  
AFD Channel Spectrum™ has played a significant part in enabling Comic Relief to leverage its infectious brand – and in doing so to win both the coveted Institute of Fundraising Driving Strategy Award 2012 and the prestigious Data Strategy Awards 2013. Could similar insights help your organisation?
Did you know that there is a relationship between marketing, human behaviour and a brand? Understanding this relationship requires a high level of data insight and AFD Software has developed Channel Spectrum, a communications preference directory which is helping Comic Relief to channel marketing activity in a more relevant and cost-effective manner – and with significantly better results.
Different people are influenced by different channels of communication. Some respond to a leaflet through the letterbox - others bin it. Some respond to email and online advertising – others shun it as 'noise'.
The reason judges described the Comic Relief project as "innovative" and with "a really clever use of data" was because it challenged conventional thinking to deliver a new and more effective marketing approach.
In summary, people with the energy and initiative to be fundraisers engaged with direct marketing channels. Conversely, donors were in more passive groups, and opted out of direct marketing - but were more open to localised communications such as newspapers and leaflets.
Liz Curry, Customer Relationship Manager at Comic Relief commented: "AFD Channel Spectrum enabled us to test a new approach and then to roll this out across the country. By doing this, Comic Relief has significantly increased the effectiveness of local fundraisers by using newspapers and leaflets to build awareness around the locality of that fundraiser – which led to a massive increase in donations from local people."
The core insight is really quite simple – getting there was clever!  Local relationships count for fundraising - but it's important to identify and distinguish between active and passive types and use that knowledge to choose the most effective communication methods. 
Channel Spectrum delivers actionable insights across a wide range of industries – why not find out if it could work for you?
You can ask us directly or you can ask your agency or data consultant to talk to us about AFD Channel Spectrum – award-winning, money-saving, growth-producing insights.
Contact our Channel Spectrum specialist by email  neville.hilton@afd.co.uk or call him on 01624 811711.
 
It wasn't that long ago when "android" was not a computer operating system! The term can be found as far back as 1863 in US patents for human-like miniature automated toys. Until recently,  androids were mainly confined to the world of science fiction with perhaps the most memorable and notable appearance being in Star Trek. Androids have been depicted as (on the outside) more human in appearance than Robots with robot-like internal workings. In summary an android is an automaton that resembles a human being….  or is it? 
AFD Names & Numbers for Android™
In the autumn issue of Postcode News we announced the launch of the AFD Software Developer Kit for Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch mobile devices. Now, this spring, we are launching Names & Numbers ready for the  Google Android operating system – with more products in the pipeline.
In January 2013 Android market share stood at 52.3% and the AFD solutions will work on the most popular and current versions including Gingerbread (2.3) Honeycomb (3) Ice Cream Sandwich (4) Jelly Bean (4.1 & 4.2). If the version you use isn't here, please ask and we'll see what we can do.
About Names & Numbers
Established for over 15 years, Names & Numbers makes the entry and validation of name, address and telephone number details quick, easy and accurate. 42 million people (many with telephone numbers) and 2 million organisations (1.6 million with telephone number, business description etc.), make Names & Numbers a comprehensive solution for finance, marketing, tracing and many other purposes.
The mobile version of Names & Numbers is used extensively in the retail, security and transport sectors. The recent releases for iOS and Android reflect increasing demand for AFD products on those platforms and build on the established success of AFD solutions for Windows Mobile.
Why install when you can call?
We said this in the autumn but it's worth remembering – with easy access to mobile networks it is natural to think that there is no need to install software on smart phones or tablets. To a certain extent this is true and we have many customers who call AFD products via our hosted services from all types of mobile devices including those which run Android, BlackBerry, iOS and Windows Phone.
Unpredictable Network Access
However, you may be surprised to know that mobile network availability and speed is not predictable – even in central London. The resulting delays in accessing or validating data really do cause organisations problems. This is why so many already choose to install AFD solutions for name, address and bank data validation directly onto smart phones and tablets.
To learn more please visit www.afd.co.uk/names

To discuss your requirements and arrange a personal demonstration please call 01624 811711.

April 2013 sees the beginning of a major upgrade to the Censation geodemographic classifications system*. The upgrade takes account of important factors:
Major changes have taken place and are taking place in the social and economic landscape of the UK. The depth of these changes is apparent in the latest national census and Censation cleverly utilises hundreds of different pieces of information to categorise each postcode.

Over the ten years since Censation was first built our world-class statistical expertise has grown even further. Censation has been rebuilt from the ground up to utilise the very latest and best statistical techniques but retains all that makes it unique.

The existing Censation code system has been retained - so you don't have to recode your existing database. Though if you want to get the most from Censation, we recommend that you re-append the Censation codes to your database so that if a postcode has changed its Censation code, this is reflected in your database.

In July 2013 look out for a new 'Censation Label' and revised Descriptions. These are designed to help you engage with geo-demographics in a new way.
What is Censation?
A unique way to 'profile and 'categorise' your customers for insight, understanding and greater success. Each postcode is assigned to one of 52 'segments' according to relative affluence, life-stage and lifestyle. For more information please visit www.afd.co.uk/censation
 
There are 29 million UK address records.

Over 224,000 newly built addresses were added in 2012

During 2012 over 1,500,000 changes were made to the address file to keep it up-to-date.

All of this is reflected in AFD Postcode Plus and Names & Numbers products.

AFD Software is appointed by Royal Mail to produce and distribute the Royal Mail PAF® file.
 
Save time, just type the postcode!

Accurate to the letterbox

Cut postage costs, qualify for bulk discount

Protect reputation

Deliver the goods / services

Patented Robot technology just works with any Windows application - no integration needed* 
* AFD patented Robot technology works with any windows application. However, AFD provide developer tools for Windows, Unix, Android and iOS. Please ask for details.
 
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions help to manage money, people and operations more effectively. Microsoft Dynamics AX is recognised as a "key player" among ERP solutions. Did you know that AFD Software has an add-in specifically to enable effective, accurate capture of name and address details for AX 2012? From Public Sector to Distribution to Retail and Services – we have a solution to fit. Please call 01624 811711 and ask to speak to a member of the Corporate Sales team.
 
Salesforce is a popular system for managing sales, marketing and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). If you use Salesforce, it's easy to use AFD Postcode Plus and Names & Numbers. You can access the add-in free from www.afd.co.uk/salesforce then simply contact our Corporate Sales team to have a trial switched on.
 
Want easy access to postage savings of up to 60%?

  AFD MailSaver reduces the complex Royal Mail Bulk Sort process into 5 easy steps for just £35 per month. MailSaver has the newly  released mailsort codes and is always up-to-date with the latest Royal Mail rules.  For more information visit www.afd.co.uk/mailsaver or call 01624 811711 for expert advice.

Rob Forgie joined the AFD Software team in August 2012 and brings with him over 14 years IT experience in the financial services sector including responsibility for change testing.

In addition to being a certified software tester Rob continues to develop his skills and is embarking on a Chartered Management Institute course in Management and Leadership.

Rob says he came across the AFD position by chance and appreciates the passion for quality he sees in the business and the way the company invests in charitable activities. He says "I wish I'd joined AFD earlier!"

Outside of work Rob has two main loves, family and lifeboats. Rob is married and has a young family - a girl at 16 months and a 5 year old boy who already loves sitting on the lifeboat (he's yet to be involved in a rescue at sea!). Rob is a lifeboat crew member and trains twice per month in the practicalities of search and rescue, including towing boats and pulling people from the water. He is also scheduled to complete a five day sea survival course at the RNLI training base in Poole, Dorset.

AFD Data News Q.2/13

Over the past three months there have been significant updates to data on the Royal Mail Postcode Address File (PAF). These include 541 new localities, 7,235 new postcodes, 100,812 new delivery points and 52,077 delivery point changes. These are all included in our latest Q.2/13 update.

Address, Postcode and Bank solutions