Frequently Asked Questions & Answers:

Zip Code Info.:
Q: What is the difference between the Pro-Zipcode base product and the Deluxe version?
A: Pro-Zipcode is usually used in marketing and has one record per zip code with the primary city for that zip code. There are almost 43,000 records in this file.

Pro-Zipcode Deluxe can have multiple cities per zip code (when zip codes cross city limits) and is primarily used in Order Entry applications where you key in a zip code to find the correct city and state. It is also used in marketing where the correct city name is needed as well. There are about 55,000 records in this file.

Q: What format does the file come in?
A: The files come in a comma-delimited ASCII file. This is a standard format that will load into Microsoft Excel, Access or other databases. You can also get it in a fixed-length format which is used by AS400 and mainframe computers.

Q: What is the file layout?
A: Please download a demo version of the file from our Download Page. With the demo, we include ‘readme’ help files which have the file layout and other helpful information such as how to load the file into Excel or Access.

Q: Do you have county info.? What file do I purchase to get it?
A: Pro-Zip code and Pro-Zip code Deluxe base products include the county name. If you need the county FIPS codes, then you would need to get the FIPS add-on product.

Q: Do zip codes cross county lines? Do you include all counties for a zip code?
A: Zip codes cross county lines on occasion. When it does, we include the primary county or that zip code based on the total number of address. We do not include alternate county names.

Q: Do zip codes cross area code boundaries? Do you include all area codes for a zip code?
A: Zip codes also cross area code boundaries and we include the primary area code for that zip code. If an area code has just split within the last two months or so, we will not include that new area code. We wait at least two months after a split begins before we’ll include the new area code in the product. The reason for that is because when a split begins, not everyone can dial the new area code. It usually takes over a month for all the phone companies to be programmed to use the new area code.

Q: How often do the zip codes really change?
A: Zip codes change sporadically. Most of the time there’s just a few changes, but every now and then there will be major changes. We recommend that you update your files every two months when we send you new versions for the U.S. and Canadian Postal Codes change more frequently and you’ll see a lot of changes with each release.

Q: I have addresses, but I have some missing or bad zip codes, how do I get them fixed?
A: If you have addresses, but have bad or missing zip codes, you can go to www.SemaphoreCorp.com and purchase a product called ZP4. That can clean up your database. We recommend that about once a year you purchase one of their additions (which is about $90.00) and run it through your database to clean up your addresses. Use our products to keep the data clean at data entry time.