PAF File

[tonyA1DL]

We have recently installed AFD Postcode (Post Office Address File Software) and populate address fields in Approach using same.

How can I lock these fields down so that they can only be populated by the AFD software?

I want to prevent users overkeying good PAF validated data with rubbish data !

 

[paulbent]

Set the fields on the view to read-only.

Paul Bent
Northwind IT Systems

http://www.northwindit.co.uk

 

[tonyA1DL]

Thanks Paul,

however if I set the fields to Read Only, they won't accept the data populated by the PAF software.

Tony

 

[paulbent]

I've no idea how PAF "populates" the fields. Please explain.

Paul Bent
Northwind IT Systems

http://www.northwindit.co.uk

 

[tonyA1DL]

The PAF software runs minimised and whenever it identifies a text string which matches a valid postcode on the post office address file, a window pops up with the option to accept (press enter) or reject (press minimise)

Typically a user would press enter, it then populates the address fields on the current approach view with this data

The problem arises when users miskey a postcode and then proceed to key the address manually and get it wrong, whereas I want to force users to obtain and key the correct postcode. If the data is not on the post office address file, it should not be able to be keyed manually.

 

[paulbent]

OK, I just had a quick look at the AFD web site. Are you using the "Postcode Robot" to transfer the data to Approach? If so you have to allow write access to those fields.

The site mentions that the software has an API. This will be one or more C++ dlls containing functions that can be forward declared in the Approach LotusScript Editor and called to get the address data. That would let you make the fields read-only and use script to write to the database but will require quite a high level of programming knowledge.

Paul Bent
Northwind IT Systems

http://www.northwindit.co.uk

 

[tonyA1DL]

Once again Paul, many thanks for your help on this

Tony