The New Marketing Geography – Six-Digit Postal Code Boundaries

By: Adriana Noton - May 9th, 2011  Filed under: Address Management, postal code map, spatial analysis Add Comment

Location intelligence has become an essential tool to helping businesses expand and grow their markets. Making use of marketing analytics to drive their business activities has become a standard practice for most enterprise. Today, using the new marketing geography – Six-Digit Postal CodeOM boundaries, acquired through location intelligence solutions, businesses can achieve optimum levels in trade area delineation, market segmentation and serviceability.

There are approximately 818,000 active postal codes (FSALDU) for residences and businesses in
Canada. In the past, experts promoted the use of government administration boundaries as the ideal geographic unit for marketing activities. Only recently, a six digit postal code geographic boundary fabric has been created that covers all urban and rural areas across Canada.

Postal code boundaries are typically smaller geographic units representing smaller clusters of households and individuals. The maintenance and updating of geographies is also significantly different. Census geography is determined for the primary purpose of collecting descriptive statistics regarding the populations within their boundaries. Businesses with GIS software, access to vector street data that is ascribed with address verification ranges, and customer data that has been address-referenced, have the ability to delineate and study the trade areas where the majority of their customers are located which includes where they live and work. Companies can also focus direct mail advertising campaigns on their own trade areas, or their competitors’. Furthermore, GIS can be used to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of the population within trade areas, enabling businesses to make sure that the products and services they offer meet the needs and preferences of target populations.

Data acquired from location intelligence solutions that provide a more granular and present view of the market place provides the following business benefits:

• The business is able to locate higher value customers that have higher purchase value and purchase frequency.

• The ability to achieve higher sales conversion rates by more accurately targeting marketing activity to specific customer profiles.

• The business is able to reduce marketing campaign costs, from analytics through to distribution.

Six-Digit Postal CodeOM boundaries data provides increased precision to the marketing professional. As well, increased granularity in marketing geography allows marketing researchers to identify more subtle variation in geodemographic variables. This new capability enables business benefits directly associated to the use of six digit postal code boundaries when driving marketing analytics where location is a relevant consideration.

Postal addresses are now used for more than just sending mail. Businesses now have the ability to use location intelligence solutions to identify key information from postal code data to better identify and develop markets and determine potential risks so that they can effectively grow their business. Location intelligence solutions such as Postal Code mapping software will have the most comprehensive and detailed collection of Canadian postal geography products that provide a robust marketing analytics and distribution data solution, with unmatched neighbourhood level precision. By using Six-Digit Postal CodeOM boundaries as the new marketing geography acquired through location intelligence solutions, businesses can now achieve the most favourable levels of performance in trade area delineation, market segmentation and serviceability.

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Location Intelligence: Leveraging the Power of Canadian Postal Code Mapping

By: Adriana Noton - April 6th, 2011  Filed under: Location Intelligence, postal code map, spatial analysis, Technology Add Comment

In the business world, location is the new intelligence. Providing a location based view to business intelligence helps businesses maintain a competitive edge. Today, a postal address means much more than just sending mail. Businesses are able to use location intelligence to leverage Postal Code data to better address market opportunities and risks in an effort to grow their business and make business operations more efficient.

When defining Location Intelligence, it is often described as the ability to visualize geographic and spatial data to gain vital business insights and make better business decisions. Location intelligence software allows businesses to view detailed color-coded maps and work with interactive analytics. By consolidating a geospatial database enterprise, businesses are better able to leverage location based data such as postal codes to gain a more insightful view when they evaluate their competitors, profile customers and potential customers, manage their marketing budget assets, and identify new business opportunities.

Location intelligence services help a business better target marketing potential, reduce risk, and streamline operational efficiencies. By using Address Recognition and Address Geocoding web services and software, a business is better able to leverage address recognition where they have the ability to correct, standardize, and verify addresses. Utilizing address geocoding gives businesses the ability to visualize a validated address while also geocoding other places in the area using postal codes such as streets, nearby businesses, competitors, supply routes, intersections, and more, with the highest level of accuracy. Location intelligence databases provide access to real-time updates of reliable location content. The database contains a wealth of not just addresses, but also address-related content. The result is reliable information about a potential market that allows for better addressing of risk and opportunity.

Geocoding is an essential component of location intelligence. The process of geocoding an address involves assigning a unique latitude and longitude to a physical location. It can pinpoint the location down to the building rooftop. By leveraging location intelligence using postal code mapping, businesses can integrate data about policies, terrain, geographical boundaries, routing, and demographics. They have the ability to visually and identify their risk exposures, and mitigate those risks.

In terms of sales, marketing, and distribution, location intelligence using postal code maps helps businesses leverage such vital business operation areas. Such knowledge and benefits that can be extracted include: optimize sales processes, identify areas of market potential, and match networks, sales, and marketing, in order to make the most out of that market’s potential. As well, businesses can utilize demographics, consumer buying trends, and lifestyle information to better understand their customers and develop better customer service programs in order to realize the highest sales potential.

Today, more businesses are realizing the benefits and necessity of using location intelligence solutions to grow and expand their business while maintaining competitiveness in such a highly competitive world. Using such solutions as postal code maps allows businesses to gather vital data to help them make better businesses decisions that ultimately leads to success. Using postal code maps definitely improves a businesses bottom line.

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Geolocation System Huge Help to Oil and Gas Mapping Companies

By: Adriana Noton - January 24th, 2011  Filed under: coordinate systems, GIS Add Comment

Today, oil and gas mapping companies have access to innovative technology to help improve their business operations. One such technological tool is Geolocation Systems. Generally speaking, Geolocation is the technique of determining the physical real world location of an object, person, or device using digital information. One market that actively uses geolocation systems is the oil and gas mapping companies. Geolocation systems help in the selection and development of oil and gas exploration areas around the world, as well as in the areas of oil spill mitigation. Through the use of satellite images, geophysical, geological, and seismic data, the data gathered is entered into digital mapping analysis that can include 2D or 3D mapping, allowing companies to gain an insight into the best areas for exploration and implement drilling programs.

Geolocation Systems are also used for collecting and analyzing data to help determine environmental and operational safety hazards. Remote sensing is a key technology used in geolocation systems and has become a necessity in the oil and gas industry. Remote sensing allows for satellite images to be taken of large exploration areas and it can give companies a finely honed view of exploration, pipeline planning, environmental monitoring of producing fields, and potential risks in sensitive areas. As well, without being present, they can assess facilities and potential emergencies which is effective risk management. Over time these events and variables can be tracked using satellite imaging. This allows oil and gas industry to provide governments with the most up-to-date information regarding project monitoring and environmental monitoring.

By using high resolution satellite image data and Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), a detailed visualization of a specific environment can be generated for desktop computer programs. After Geological field surveys, interpretation of 2D/3D Seismic data, and subsurface analysis has been completed, a company can then select the most suitable access to proposed well locations. By working with accurate geospatial data, the oil and gas industry can make critical project decisions more quickly and reduce exploration and project development costs. By having access to reliable satellite imaging, coordinate databases, and various supporting geo-spatial data, companies can save millions of dollars on oil and gas development.

The benefits of using geolocation systems include: more accurate information gives the company a competitive edge, more accurate analysis of data using 2D /3D seismic data acquisition, less time and cost choosing well locations and access roads, reduced risk of unmonitored leakage, more efficient pipeline planning, more efficient and accurate environmental impact assessments, and business risk is mitigated with more accurate data acquired using advanced high resolution satellite imaging sensors.

Advancements in technology have changed the way the natural resource industry operates. Geolocation systems create powerful interpretation tools for oil and gas mapping GIS projects. The use of this technology makes oil and gas exploration much easier and more cost-efficient. As well, it makes exploration much safer as companies can determine potential emergencies and other potential hazards. The benefits of using geolocation location solutions are numerous making these technologically advanced systems a necessity in today’s oil and gas mapping industry.

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Using Address Verification Software to Help Merchants

By: Adriana Noton - April 1st, 2010  Filed under: coordinate systems, Maps, postal code map Add Comment

Address verification software will help a merchant reduce fraudulent transactions and increase revenue. It is essential software for any business that processes credit card transactions.
In this technologically advanced world, the internet has become a popular way to shop for products and services. Merchants that accept credit cards online, over the phone, and through the mail, understand that there is a certain level of risk of credit card fraud. On the internet, it is easy to assume someone’s identity using a stolen credit card. Fortunately, there have been many improvements in credit card processing security features to reduce the instances of fraudulent transactions. Address Verification Software (AVS) is a method used by increasingly more credit card processors to verify that a customer’s ordering address matches the address  database in the customer’s record. By using this type of technologically advanced software, the merchant will promptly discover if the credit card does not belong to the customer and take action to stop the transaction process.

1. When using address verification software, the credit card owner’s name, billing address, ZIP code, and shipping address are checked against the credit card billing information of the cardholder to make sure they match. The verification software can use single address processing to search a single address, or the software can employ multiple addresses processing which enriches entire databases. High tech verification mechanisms confirm whether the addresses match up.

2. When entering a sale manually into the sales terminal, there will be a prompt for the customer’s address and zip code. Upon receiving the prompt, one will then enter the street number for address verification.

3. The credit card terminal will automatically dial out to attain address confirmation and approval. The ZIP code and numerical billing address will be compared to the registered physical address account information of the actual credit card holder.

4. Once this information is verified, the merchant will receive a reply to the AVS request confirming the validity of the card holder’s address. The AVS code will be displayed on the terminal display screen and if there is an electronic printer attached to the terminal, an AVS code or message indicator will be printed on the customer’s receipt.

5. When there is a discrepancy in address verification, the merchant will be alerted so the transaction can be stopped. This will ensure a merchant does not become a victim of credit card fraud. This will save the business money as they will not lose out on sales and they will also not ship products of which they have not received payment.

6. Often when filling out address website forms, delivery and billing addresses entered are incomplete or incorrectly formatted and need to be verified before the transaction can go through. High tech verification software can resolve any website form mistakes by automatically locating the address. Address verification software also provides the merchant with more verifiable address information prior to shipping products as well as completing the transaction.

With over 248 million people in North America surfing and shopping on the internet, it is essential that a company, no matter how big or small, take security measures to protect their online customers as well as their own business. Unfortunately, there are criminals trolling the internet looking to steal credit card information and other personal financial data for their own personal illegal use. Fortunately, address verification software is one tool that will help stop criminals from using stolen credit cards. This type of software provides an extra layer of security to prevent fraud and loss of revenue. Using advanced Address Verification Software from a leading merchant solutions company will mitigate the risk of the instances of fraud. The result will be increased customer trust and loyalty which will ultimately increase revenue.

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The Postal Code Map in the City

By: Adriana Noton - February 24th, 2010  Filed under: GIS, Maps, postal code map, spatial analysis

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 in the city.

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.

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A Brief Overview Of A Postal Code Map

By: Adriana Noton - December 9th, 2009  Filed under: GIS, Maps, postal code map Add Comment

Throughout the world the use of a postal code map has become a recognized way to sent mail through the postal service. Postal codes make it possible for postal stations across the globe to use scanners and distribute mail to far reaching locations more efficiently and effectively.

There are many types of scanners used that are designed for postal codes. Some of the most popular scanners read bar codes that direct mail based on the code that has been placed on a label containing data that is affixed to the letter with a label.

Other scanners are designed to read handwritten letters and numbers as letters pass through a large scanning machine. When the writing cannot be read by the scanner it is passed to a human that must then place the letter is the correct bags for transfer to a centralized mail distribution center.

Most countries have small postal stations in villages and towns where mail is collected and distributed for that area. However, the mail that is collected is transferred to a large collection center in major metropolitan areas where the mail of several towns is sorted and packaged for shipment to locations throughout the world.

Scanning machines may be very large and are secured to the floor with several chain link conveyors that move mail to the machine. As the mail is scanned, it is transferred to bags for local distribution, national distribution, or international distribution. The department that must manually sort mail often use a small hand held scanner that records the letters and numbers that have been written. The scanned image is input into the central memory of the main scanning machine and when that type of writing is found on another envelope, the scanner can translate the writing into the appropriate bar code.

Many people find that when they have inserted the wrong postal code on a letter or parcel, it is delivered to a foreign location even though the handwritten address is correct. This is because very few letters and parcels are viewed or scanned by humans.

The scanning machines that are used have a global location intelligence in the hard drive upon which all mail is distributed. In some cases a scanner will read a one instead of a seven when scanner and the letter or parcel will be shipping to the location that is indicated by the postal code map to be the closest to that number.

When a person is unsure of the correct postal code to use on a letter or parcel, they are often able to get a local, or government postal code map that has a breakdown of the country and it’s postal code. Many large countries that have several codes for certain regions utilize several maps for the area.

As more electronic records are being standardized and records are being kept in centralized locations the use of postal code maps is becoming a vital part of the process of organizing records electronically. Using postal codes to sort clients and customers by city or region makes it easier to find the records for individual.

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How Postal Code Maps Lower a Business Transportation Costs

By: Adriana Noton - October 16th, 2009  Filed under: GIS, Maps, postal code map

Canada postal mapDelivery and home service industry related employees all have one thing in common. They travel a lot, most often in commercial vehicles. Because of this, they will need a reliable system that helps them arrive at their target destination on time, every time. While this is often achievable with GPS navigation, there are instances when this system fails.

This is among one of the many reasons why anyone who drives around in unfamiliar areas for a living should have U.S. postal code maps as a companion piece to the GPS device.  Postal code maps are also great because they can help guide a company on the areas best suited for their services.  Once pinpointed, they can send promotional materials like fliers to local area residences and develop a reliable customer base.

Just What Are U.S. Postal Code Maps?
Postal code maps are essential tools for any business that utilizes transportation on a consistent basis.  This is because such maps are a bit more detailed than regular maps regarding geographical information.  They can also highlight given demographic areas, which can assist a company in tailoring their efforts in given communities and neighborhoods.

Lowering Transportation Costs
Because they provide demographic information, using U.S. postal code maps can assist businesses in cultivating a client base in a given area.  The map can also help lower transportation costs by cutting the time it takes to search out clientele and their relative addresses while driving about.

Business can use them to locate neighboring areas as well to send out direct mailers and other promotional materials.  This aids transportation costs by cutting driving time used to hand deliver marketing materials, thereby saving time, gas and dollars.

Who Uses U.S. Postal Code Maps
There are many companies that have a need for postal code maps.  These include but are not limited to food delivery chains, landscapers, plumbers, carpet cleaners, independent/general contractors and any type of enterprise that uses transportation to provide a consumer service.
Other institutions like banks, restaurants, local clothing stores, telecommunication companies and franchises can also use postal code maps in an effort to spread the word about the specials and deals they are advertising.  Indeed, many companies find that postal code maps offers a low cost way to maximize grassroots marketing efforts.

The option you choose will largely depend on what your needs are and how quickly you desire the map.  Be sure that if you pick the download option that the map is a high resolution one that can be easily forwarded to employees and co-worker via email.

Today, it behooves businesses to think outside the box in regards to helping their companies grow. This means utilizing both old and new techniques to produce a fertile crop of customers who desire your product or service.  If you keep this in mind, and use tools like postal code maps, you will most likely succeed at your business endeavors and acquire the longevity and clientele you crave.

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