CDXZipStream, our Excel add-in for zip code and location-based analysis, is an intentionally non-subscription, pay-as-you-go software so our clients can decide for themselves how often to purchase new data.  The need for data updates certainly varies depending on what data is used and how it is applied, and ultimately we feel this decision is best left up to our clients.

CDXZipStream updates are available as a one-time purchase and as a one-year subscription, where twelve updates are provided monthly.  Updates apply to CDXZipStream Basic and Premium versions, and to a separate Canadian database of postal codes.  Please see the last portion of our price list for pricing for all update versions.

Our basic and premium data feeds for zip codes are updated with new data every month.  Since zip codes are frequently retired or added by the U.S. Postal Service, this data is most subject to change. Out of about 42,000 zip codes in the U.S., an average of 0.9% of records change per month, and 11.2% of records change per year.  Unemployment data (provided in county, state, and Core Based Statistical Area data feeds) are also added and updated monthly.

All our other data feeds, which are primarily based on U.S. Census Data, are updated less frequently.  Data from the American Community Survey (ACS), which will soon be replacing much of the data from the ten-year census, is updated annually, usually in the last quarter of the following year.  We will be using our newsletter to announce updates to these data feeds as they occur.

When you need to update your database, click on the "License Information and Software Updates" icon on the CDXZipStream toolbar, and select "Data Updates" to login to your account and purchase an update. If you've forgotten your user name or password, please contact us at support@cdxtech.com.  For our clients who have purchased support plans, we send an email notification when monthly updates are available.  For more information please call 1-877-239-8321 or contact us at sales@cdxtech.com.

Once a new update has been purchased, or to obtain a monthly update as part of a subscription plan, you can select the “Product Management” under the My Account area of our website (on the left-side menu), and click on “Download Data Files” to download and install the new database.  Alternatively, you can also click on “Buy Data Updates” here to purchase updates.

So, how often should you get updates?  First, consider how critical accuracy is for your application.  If you’re using CDXZipStream to verify addresses in a direct marketing campaign, and even a small percentage of non-valid addresses can make or break the return on investment, consider getting a year’s subscription so you get new data every month.  For non-critical applications, we generally recommend updates at least every six months.  In fact, you’ll see a reminder when you open CDXZipstream if your data is more than six months old.  (You can disable this feature by clicking on the “License Information and Software Updates” icon on the CDXZipStream Toolbar, and unselecting the “Warn if Zip Code Data Out of Date” checkbox.)

Please note that CDXZipStream functions related to driving and mapping use information from Microsoft MapPoint, and are only as good as the MapPoint version installed on your computer. MapPoint is updated every one or two years and the newest 2011 version does contain updated maps with new geographic data.  If you wish to purchase MapPoint North America 2011 we recommend buying at the reputable reseller MP2KMag.com.

Our Microsoft Excel add-in for zip code and location-based analysis, CDXZipStream, is available for download in a free 30-day demo version that allows our clients to “try before you buy”.  We want our clients to have a good understanding of what our software can (and sometimes, can’t) do to help their organizations better connect with their own clients and customers; although there are some limitations of the demo, we’ve carefully designed it to effectively show off the features and functionality of the full-version software.

For example, all features of all CDXZipstream versions are enabled in the demo.  This includes all data feeds and all right-click functions, such as functions that perform radius analysis, route optimization, geocoding and reverse geocoding, and zip code list generation.  

There are general calculation limits of the demo, however, of 1000 per function per Excel session.  This applies for both custom functions that grab demographic data (such as CDXZipCode) and right-click functions such as CDXDistance and CDXRouteMP.  The CDXRadius function is limited to analyses of 50 miles or less, and the CDXZiplist function is limited to 1000 returned values.  For the data feeds, the premium demographic versions are limited to four select zip codes, and for those selected zips, the corresponding CBSA, county, and state.

The CDXZipStream demo version is of course compatible with the 60-day free trial version of MapPoint (North American or Europe), and can be evaluated within our free downloadable templates for performing radius analysis, route optimization, geocoding, reverse geocoding, and driving distance calculations.

Also worth noting: the CDXZipStream demo does not have any unwanted add-ons that load to your computer.  We’ve noticed lately a trend among “free” software that will do anything from hijacking your browser to installing new media players.  It’s all probably spelled out in the fine print, but at the end of the day this is an unethical practice we refuse to participate in. 

And finally, after trying the demo and purchasing the version of your choice, we also offer an unconditional, 30-day return policy.  We truly want our clients to consider CDXZipStream as a high-benefit, no-risk software that can support your organization’s needs around zip code and location-based analysis. So please “try before you buy” CDXZipStream in demo form– it really is cost (and risk) – free.