This utility will load zip code information from a third-party vendor (simplemaps) data file into the PE database. The program will parse the input file into separate fields and the use specific to populate the zip code tables. The utility will add new zip codes that do not exist while updating those that have changed. An option to print a report of changes to the zip code data is available, but not recommended for the first update as many changes are to be expected. The zip code data can be updated manually through the mask PEUPZP.
Setup
Retrieving the file
The web address to the simplemaps download page is https://simplemaps.com/data/us-zips
Download the basic free version of the zip code file and save to your computer. The file is a comma delimited with the each data field enclosed by double quotes. There is one header line and the rest are data lines. Example of the file:
The information in the following columns are used for the import:
Column 1 - Zip
Column 4 - city
Column 5 - state_id
Column 11 - county_fips - we remove the first two characters representing the state and use just the county code
Column 12 - county_name
The eighteen fields in the file are: zip code, latitude, longitude, city, state, state name, zip code tabulation area (zcta), zcta parent, population, density, county FIPS, county name, county weight, all counties, all county fips, precision, military, timezone
Common Code Set up
The process uses common code PEZP/ZIPCODE. To turn on debug put the word ”DEBUG” in the Short Desc. To use mixed case for the city names put a “Y” or “y” in the 1st Associated Codes field. Anything else will force the city name to be uppercase
Running the process
To run the process, use mask PEUTLZ.
For Zip Code File name click the Location or Other button and select the file you downloaded from the third-party vendor.
For Trial Mode? (Y/N) check the box for trial mode and deselect it to update the tables.
For Would you like a report of changes? (Y/N) check the box to create the report and deselect it to suppress the report. We do not recommend creating the report for the first update as many changes would be expected.
After filling out the fields select submit to launch the process.
The zip code data can be manually updated through the mask PEUPZP.