Details of every postcoded address in the UK are now available on PAF-ROM, a Compact Disk Read-Only Memory developed by systems house Silver Platter of Chiswick, London. Marketed by UKP5m-a-year Computer Factors Ltd, the Coventry based Pick house and Personal Computer supplier, PAF-ROM is thought to be the first commercial Compact Disk database in the UK. It contains over 23m addresses – previously available only on at least 16 tapes at a cost of UKP24,000 – which can be accessed using an MS-DOS micro couled to a commercial Compact Disk player. Computer Factors reckons the database will be particularly useful for companies receiving discounts from the Post Office for correctly postcoded volume mailings. As of March next year 70% of their mail will have to carry a postcode, 90% by the end of 1989, otherwise the discount will be stopped. Information can be obtained from the 600Mb CD even with a partial address – although names of private individuals are not included – so postcodes are easily found. Computer Factors has two combinations of PAF-ROM: for UKP3,975 you get the CD-ROM, re-trieval software, disk reader, controller and two year guarantee, including free updates every few months. For an extra UKP1,525 you get an IBM Personal thrown in. PAF-ROM provides on-line help, indices as well as a print out capability and can be used in conjunction with Computer Factors’ existing product, Mailbrain, which handles order processing, marketing, list management, financial control and so on. The next edition will include grid references. PAF-ROM is aimed at direct marketing organisations as well as banks, insurance companies and credit verification organisations. There are no fears about PAF-ROM being used by companies to compile mailing lists and send out junk mail since names aren’t included. Computer Factors, which claims to be the largest independant Pick systems supplier in the UK, has no plans to introduce the product on the continent or in the US since post-codes are already in almost universal use there.
