Some Businesses ask the customer for their post code when entering a sale into their POS System. This is used for market research as to where their customers are located. Below is the setup process to import post codes for the Australian market and will demonstrate how this feature is used at point of sale. The example below is based on the demo database.

Download the postcodes.txt file from the IBS Website

You will need to download the postcodes.txt file from our website, so you can import this into your database. Please click on the link below:

http://www.ibsoftware.com.au/downloads/postcodes.txt

The file will contain the post code number and suburb as the description and the department number. Sample below:

DESC,DPT
200-AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVER,99
221-BARTON-ACT,99
800-DARWIN-NT,99
801-DARWIN-NT,99
804-PARAP-NT,99
810-ALAWA-NT,99

This postcode list was downloaded from the Australia Post Website in May 2009.

Create a Department in Idealpos for Post Codes

Before you can import the postcode.txt file, create a Department for Post Codes.

1. In Idealpos, go to File > Departments.
2. Add a new department with the department number of 99. If 99 is used, you will need to import the postcodes.txt file into Excel and re-number the department field to another number.
3. Link the department to the Miscellaneuos Sales Category and tick the Non-Turnover option.



Import PostCode.txt File

1. Go to Utilities > Import Data > Stock Items.
2. Select the postcodes.txt file.
3. Enter the Starting Stock Code. I.E 100000.
4. Press OK to start the import.



You can check the imported post codes by going into the stock items grid.



Creating a Post Code button on the POS Screen

1. Go to Setup > POS Screen > POS Screen Layout.
2. Modify the POS Screen Layout you wish to program.
3. Choose a Button and set the type to Stock Item Search.
4. In the Department Field, enter the Department Number 99.
5. Type in the Button Caption "POST CODE" and Save.



Procedure to Record a Customers Post Code

1. Enter Sale.
2. Before Finalizing the sale, press the Post Code Button.
3. The cursor will be in the description field at the top of the stock item grid. Start Typing the Post Code number in.
4. When all the Suburbs are shown for the post code entered, use select the correct Post Code and press OK.
5. Finalize the Sale.



Print a Report to show the Customer Suburbs

To print a report of the Customer Suburbs, go to Reports > Sales > Stock Item Sales.
Type in the department range from 99 to 99 and press view or print.