Choosing the Right CDXZipStream Version

 

There are currently eight versions of CDXZipStream, our Microsoft Excel add-in for zip code, address, and route analysis.  Due to the broad spectrum of functionality of CDXZipStream, we’ve purposely created these versions to allow our customers to pick and choose the one that best fits their needs.  With the latest releases of CDXZipStream we’d like to provide in today’s blog an updated review of the functionality of each version, to help you decide which one is right for you.  You can also refer to this reference table for a shorthand comparison.

Note:  We also offer a Canadian postal code database which is compatible with most CDXZipStream functionality.  Please refer to this article for more information about accessing Canadian data with CDXZipstream, or our FAQ page.)

Here are the eight versions and what they can do, along with relevant video tutorials:

FindZip:  Contains basic zip code data, and can also perform reverse zip code lookups and create zip code lists by state (or province if you have also purchased the Canadian database), county (for the U.S. only), and city.  Basic zip code data covers city, county and state name, latitude and longitude, and region (one of four regions in the U.S. as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce.)

See the following video on YouTube:  Zip Code Finder in Excel

Lite:  Provides all the basic zip code information of the FindZip Version (basic data by zip code, reverse zip code lookup, and list generation) as well as zip code calculation functions:  it can calculate the distance between zip codes, find all zip codes within a radius distance of a central zip code, and find the closest zip code to a target zip. 

See the following video on YouTube:  Find Zip Codes in a Radius

Router:  Provides all the basic zip code information of the FindZip Version (basic data by zip code, reverse zip code lookup, and list generation), but also has all the mapping and routing functions provided by Google, HERE Technologies and Maptitude, including driving and route maps, calculating driving time and distance, and route optimization. CDXZipStream also has legacy support of Bing Maps and Mappoint.  It can also geocode (find latitude and longitude) for a location, and reverse geocode, as well as calculate the distance between two points of latitude and longitude.  In general, this CDXZipStream version is best suited for those requiring driving distance calculations, route optimization, and/or latitude and longitude determination.  Please note that these mapping solutions request separate purchases for their data

Basic:  Contains all the functionality of Lite and Router versions, including basic zip code data, the ability to perform reverse zip code lookups and create lists by state, as well as zip code calculation functions:  it can calculate the distance between zip codes, find all zip codes within a radius distance of a central zip, and find the closest zip to a target.  It also includes all mapping and routing functions, including creation of location, drive time, and routing maps, calculating driving time and distance, and route optimization.  It can geocode (find latitude and longitude) for a location, and reverse geocode, as well as calculate the distance between points of latitude and longitude.  CDXZipStream Basic is primarily used by those who require both extensive zip code functionality as well as driving and routing calculations.

See the following video on YouTube  Driving Distance Calculator in ExcelGeocoder in Excel

The next four versions also include demographic data.  For a detailed description of the data available in these versions, please refer to data fields information.

Population:  Contains basic zip code data, and can also perform reverse zip code lookups and create zip code lists by state (or province if you have also purchased the Canadian database), county (for the U.S. only), and city.  Basic zip code data covers city, county and state name, latitude and longitude, and region (one of four regions in the U.S. as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce.)   Population counts from the 2000 Census and current population estimates are also covered.

Demographics:  Contains basic zip code data, and can also perform reverse zip code lookups and create zip code lists by state (or province if you have also purchased the Canadian database), county (for the U.S. only), and city.  Basic zip code data covers city, county and state name, latitude and longitude, and region (one of four regions in the U.S. as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce.)   Demographic data included are population counts from the 2000 Census and current population estimates, as well as premium zip code data from sources such as the 2010 Census, 2009 Business Census, and the U.S. Postal Service.

See the following video on YouTube  Demographic Data in Excel

Premium:  Contains all the functionality of Lite and Router versions, including basic zip code data, the ability to perform reverse zip code lookups and create lists by state, as well as zip code calculation functions:  it can calculate the distance between zip codes, find all zip codes within a radius distance of a central zip, and find the closest zip to a target.  It also includes all mapping and routing functions, including creation of location, drive time, and routing maps, calculating driving time and distance, and route optimization.  It can geocode (find latitude and longitude) for a location, and reverse geocode, as well as calculate the distance between points of latitude and longitude.  Demographic data included are population counts from the 2000,2010, and 2020 Census and current population estimates, as well as premium zip code data from sources such as the US census, usiness Census, and the U.S. Postal Service.  Additional data feeds include demographics by area code, city, county, state, and CBSA (Core Based Statistical Area), and an extensive demographic feeds of social and economic variables from the 2000,2010 and 2020 Census.

This version, when used for driving distance calculations and route optimization, requires separate purchase of mapping software such as Google or HERE Technologies).

Premium ACS:  Contains all the functionality and data of the Premium version, plus demographic data from the American Community Survey.  Covers basic zip code data, the ability to perform reverse zip code lookups and create lists by state, as well as zip code calculation functions:  it can calculate the distance between zip codes, find all zip codes within a radius distance of a central zip, and find the closest zip to a target.  It also includes all mapping and routing functions, including creation of radius, location, drive time, and routing maps, calculating driving time and distance, and route optimization.  It can geocode (find latitude and longitude) for a location, and reverse geocode, as well as calculate the distance between points of latitude and longitude.  Demographic data included are population counts from the US Census and current population estimates, as well as premium zip code data from sources such as the Census,  Business Census, and the U.S. Postal Service.  Additional data feeds include demographics by area code, city, county, state, and CBSA (Core Based Statistical Area), and an extensive demographic feeds of social and economic variables from US Census.  Finally, the latest 5-year aggregated data from the annual American Community Survey is provided in data feeds by city (place), county, state, and Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA).   Note that the ACS is administered by the U.S. Census Bureau, and replaces the old long form that was phased out after the 2000 Census.  It contains earnings data and other social and economic information that are not currently covered by the 10-year census. 

This version, when used for driving distance calculations and route optimization, requires separate purchase of mapping software such as Google or HERE Technologies)

 

TSee the following video on YouTube  ZIP Code Census Demographic Data in Microsoft Excel

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