FAQ

How do I obtain the new postcode data for Dialogpost Manager?

As of Dialogpost Manager Version 9.0, it will be necessary to update all postal routing via an update file. The most current postal routing data file ("Postleidaten 3.2017") can be found on our website under "Downloads". The update is applicable for all Dialogpost Manager functions (routing codes for DHL INFOPOST, address verification, zip code book).

An additional update is necessary only if you are using Datafactory Streetcode; please contact our subsidiary Post Direkt for the data. The Datafactory Streetcode order form can be found here.

Which fonts are machine-readable?

Dialogpost Manager recognises a large number of the machine-readable fonts permitted by Deutsche Post and automatically identifies which of these fonts are installed on your system.

In mail merge, you can see a list of fonts classified as machine-readable via Extras (tools) -> Maschinenlesbare Schriften (machine-readable fonts) or in the following file.

Why is it not always possible to fully print all information, e.g., when printing the packing list and address distribution? Sometimes the last number on the lists is missing, for example.

This problem can generally be solved by updating the printer driver. To do so, go to the website of your printer manufacturer and download the latest printer driver for your printer and your operating system and install it. Please note the installation instructions of the manufacturer. Please note: in the event of faulty printing, Hewlett-Packard recommends installing the printer driver of an older printer, as new printers are backwards compatible with their predecessors. You can find more information here.

Exported dBASE files cannot be opened via the mail merge assistants of Microsoft Microsoft Word. Why is that?

The problem is most often due to an error in Microsoft Word. When importing dBASE files, Microsoft Word expects a file without spaces or special characters - otherwise the import is cancelled with an empty error message. Strangely, spaces are accepted in directory names.

When exporting from Dialogpost Manager in these cases, please ensure that there are no spaces or special characters in file names or simply rename the file before importing it to Microsoft Word. It should then be possible to import dBASE files without problems.

Unfortunately, it is unclear if or when Microsoft will rectify this error.

How can problems arise during the Microsoft Access import?

When importing Microsoft Access tables, error messages may arise if the ADO driver or the jet engine are not installed or are outdated, e.g.:

Error during object creation. Please ensure that the Microsoft Data Access Components 2.1 (or higher) are correctly installed.

This can be the case with old operating systems in which Microsoft Access is not installed.

Note:
Microsoft Access does not have to be installed in order to operate the Dialogpost Manager, particularly when importing Microsoft Access tables; only the above-mentioned drivers are required.

However it is possible to subsequently install this driver without problems. The latest version of the ADO driver is available at
http://www.microsoft.com/data/download_260rtm.htm,
whilst the latest version of Jet Engine is available at
http://www.microsoft.com/data/download_Jet4SP3.htm.

In order to clear the described error, proceed as follows:
First install the current ADO driver. If this alone is not successful, please also install the latest Jet Engine.

How can I set another person as a mailer if I am working in Lettershop mode?

In customer administration, you can set each customer as a mailer using the right mouse button.

What data volume capacity does Dialogpost Manager have?

There are no volume restrictions for postage optimisation including importing and exporting addresses. In practice, orders with more than five million addresses are optimised with the Dialogpost Manager.

When using the form of address check, address verification or duplicate check, the address quality and address structure determine how long a corresponding search lasts. With an address volume > 100,000 addresses, you should expect a search to last a few minutes. However there is no volume restriction here either.

I would like to specify the ID of the machine for my franked shipments (using AFM or FRANKIT). For this purpose, I have entered the ID under Extras/Optionen (extras/options). However, it does not print. Why?

You can enter various IDs under Extras -> Optionen (extras -> options) but cannot activate them for the relevant project. You can select the matching ID for the project under Projekt -> Eigenschaften -> Details (project -> properties -> details). However, the ID selected here will not be printed but instead only transferred to order management at Deutsche Post, where applicable.

When posting Dialogpost items to routing regions, a posting list is required for each routing region. However, Dialogpost Manager only prints one list for all routing regions. What next?

Basically, one posting list is required for each routing region. If you prepare posting with Dialogpost Manager, one posting list and the ‘compilation of routing regions’, which is automatically created by Dialogpost Manager, are sufficient. but instead only transferred to order management at Deutsche Post, where applicable.

What is a negative comparison and how does Dialogpost Manager help me in this event?

A negative comparison is required when members of the Robinson list or any group defined by you must not be addressed under any circumstances. All data records that are included in both the Robinson list and your destination file should be deleted.

In order to make it possible to find these data records, Dialogpost Manager offers two functions directly in the Professional version.

1. Robinson comparison
With the Robinson comparison, a negative comparison can be carried out directly against the Robinson list of the German dialogue marketing association (DDV). For this purpose, it is necessary to acquire and install the Robinson file from DDV.

2. Nixie comparison
With the Nixie comparison, you can carry out a direct negative comparison against any file available to you. Here, the structure and format of the negative file are irrelevant.

With both procedures, small typos or name deviations are found due to a ‘fuzzy comparison’ being carried out.

Why does Dialogpost Manager only start when you are signed into Microsoft Windows as an administrator?

Start Microsoft Windows as an administrator and then open regedt32.exe (Start - Ausführen - regedt32 (Start - Run - regedt32)). Here, change to the folder HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE in the directory Deutsche Post AG - Dialogpost Manager.

• With Windows 2000, select the Sicherheit-Berechtigungen (security permissions) menu item
• With Windows XP, right-click on the Dialogpost Manager folder and select Berechtigungen... (permissions...)

Now you can allow full access to this folder for the respective user(s).

If you are logged into Microsoft Windows as an administrator, Dialogpost Manager starts without problems. If you are logged in as a user, the following notifications appear: Zugriffsverletzung bei Lizenzprüfung (access violation during licence check) (Windows 2000) or Sie besitzen nicht genügend Zugriffsrechte (you do not have sufficient access rights) (Windows XP)

This is not a problem with Dialogpost Manager but is connected to the restrictions of the operating system for users (rights management) in Microsoft Windows.

The user has no rights for the Dialogpost Manager directory and its sub-folders. The administrator must assign read/write access for this folder to the user(s).

Approach: right-click on the IPM directory in Explorer and select Freigabe (sharing). Click on Diesen Ordner freigeben (share this folder). Under Sicherheitseinstellungen (security settings), enable full access for users.

How do I create the data matrix code for Premiumadress outside Dialogpost Manager?

You can do this via an address export in conjunction with the accompanying Deutsche Post Premiumadress font.

Detailed instructions are included in the attached document.

How do I obtain the new postcode data for Dialogpost Manager?

Dialogpost Manager uses postcode data to verify and, where necessary, correct address data:

1. Address verification
   Upon purchasing Dialogpost Manager, you receive the current postcode data for address verification in the form of DATAFACTORY POSTALCODE, which is included in the installation, allowing you to carry out address verification immediately. As postcode data are always changing, we recommend you conclude an agreement with our subsidiary Post Direkt to ensure that you are regularly provided with up-to-date postcode data. The order forms required for this are available in Dialogpost Manager by selecting Anschriftenüberprüfung aktualisieren... (update address verification...) under the menu item Extras. The forms can also be downloaded here. You can also optionally use the data from DATAFACTORY STREETCODE for address verification. The STREETCODE contains all postcodes, towns/cities and street names in Germany. This enables better address verification as all streets can be checked. You can also agree Post Direkt updates here.
   
   
2. Postcode book
   The postcode book contains STREETCODE data but may only be used for individual requests. In addition, postcodes can also be used for verifying imported address data (postcodes). This postcode data are updated via the internet. The data are made available to you free of charge on a quarterly basis. If you have activated the news and update checks under Extras - Optionen (extras - options) in Dialogpost Manager, Dialogpost Manager notifies you of up-to-date versions. The up-to-date postcode data can be downloaded here.
   

How is Dialogpost Manager version 8.0 or higher installed on a network?

A network version of Dialogpost Manager has been available since version 8.0. If you wish to run Dialogpost Manager on a network, you can install the application for this on a group drive or on a normal computer within your network. The relevant employees must be able to access this installation from their computers. Since Dialogpost Manager is not run as a service on a server, it is sufficient, just as before, to simply create a link to the Dialogpost Manager program file (ipm32.exe) on the computer desktop.
With version 8.0, the following functions have been implemented under the generic term Network capability:

• User/rights management
• Protection of project folders
• Changing to a concurrent user licence

Detailed instructions are available in the Downloads area under Anleitung zur Installation im Netzwerk (instructions on network installation).

How do I convert the character set from DOS to ANSI when exporting a file in Formartierter Text (prn) (formatted text (prn)) format?

When exporting files in prn format, Dialogpost Manager suggests the DOS character set as standard. If you would like files to be exported in prn format with the ANSI character set, please create a corresponding export template once as a standard template. Then all export files will be exported in prn format with the ANSI character set as preset in the standard template.

Procedure:
Please open an existing project which is already optimised for postage so that an address export can be carried out. Go to the Ergebnis (result) menu item, then Adressexport (address export). Now, a new window named Export-Assistent (export wizard) should open.

Here, select Formatierter Text (Leerzeichen getrennt) (*.prn) (formatted text (space delimited) (*.prn)) as the export format. Then click on the adjacent Einstellungen (settings) button and select the character set ANSI. Now click on the Weiter (next) button until you reach Schritt 3 von 3 (step 3 of 3).

At the bottom right corner of this window is the button Vorlage speichern (save template). Please save your template as prn_ANSI. Next, click on the Vorlage laden (load template) button in the bottom left corner of the window and right-click on your previously saved template prn_ANSI. Then select Vorlage als Standardvorlage festlegen (set template as default) in the context menu that opens.

And that’s it. Now, all exports will be exported in prn format with the ANSI character set.

How can other return addresses or data pools be specified for different groups of recipients or data pools in connection with PREMIUMADRESS (e.g., for each retail outlet)?

In preparation, an individual Premiumadress ID must be created for each group of recipients (e.g., per retail outlet) in the Premiumadress.de backend (www.premiumadress.de). This specifies, for example, that data are sent to the Munich retail outlet in case of ID 2 whilst with ID 3, it goes to the Cologne retail outlet etc.

The import file should contain one field (column), which contains the retail outlet responsible for the respective recipient. This field can also be created in address management and be populated via multiple changes.

With an address export or mail merge, it is specified in the settings for Premiumadress that a value for a field should be used instead of a fixed ID. In mail merge, this then appears as follows, for example:

• Call up Einfügen -> Premiumadress (insert -> Premiumadress) menu item
• Under Premiumadress-ID, activate Wert aus Feld (value from field) and then select the field which contains the matching ID for the respective retail outlet with the ‘...’ button.
  

Vorbereitend muss dazu im Premiumadress-Backend (www.premiumadress.de) für jede Empfängergruppe eine eigene Premiumadress-ID angelegt werden (z.B. pro Filiale). Damit steuert man dann, dass z.B. bei ID "2" die Daten an "Filiale München" und bei ID "3" die Daten an "Filiale Köln" gehen, usw.

Die Importdatei sollte eine Feld (Spalte) enthalten, in der die für den jeweiligen Empfänger zuständige Filiale enthalten ist. Dieses Feld kann auch in der Adressverwaltung angelegt und per Mehrfachänderung gefüllt werden.

Beim Adressexport bzw. im Seriendruck gibt man dann bei den Einstellungen zu Premiumadress an, dass keine feste ID, sondern ein Wert aus einem Feld verwendet werden soll. Im Seriendruck sieht dies dann bspw. so aus

• Menüpunkt "Einfügen->Premiumadress" aufrufen
• Unter "Premiumadress-ID" "Wert aus Feld" aktivieren und dort über den "..."-Button das Feld auswählen, in dem die passende ID der jeweiligen Filiale enthalten ist.

Would you like to optimise your work with Dialogpost Manager to spare yourself unnecessary clicks and selection procedures? Dialogpost Manager offers a range of options in the Extras menu under the Optionen (options) menu item which significantly speed up work with the program.

1. Allgemein - Programmstart (general - program launch) tab:
   If you only ever work on one current project at a time rather than several projects in parallel, let Dialogpost Manager always launch with the latest project - so you can proceed directly to where you last stopped working and are spared several clicks and selection procedures.
2. Allgemein - Assistent (general - wizard) tab:
   If you are largely familiar with the individual functions of Dialogpost Manager, deactivate the wizard entirely. If at a later time, you would like some assistance from the wizard, activate it again via the menu item Hilfe -> Dialogpost Manager Assistent (help -> Dialogpost Manager wizard). The wizard automatically starts where you are.
3. Vorgaben (specifications) tab:
   Activate the option Global Zahlungsweise in neue Projekte übernehmen (use global payment method in new projects) if you would always like your mailing campaign to be invoiced in this way. Enter your invoicing details once via the Einstellungen (settings) button.
4. Vorgaben (specifications) tab:
   Deactivate the Projekteigenschaften bei neuem Projekt zeigen (display project properties for new projects) dialogue if you do not wish to constantly see the properties of the current project. You can view these at any time via the Projekt -> Eigenschaften (project -> properties) menu item.

Use Dialogpost Manager to ensure that your address files for further processing in other applications are always identically set up.

During the next export, open the desired template as soon as the Export wizard is launched, via the Vorlage laden (load template) button. Navigate to the final Export screen using the Weiter (next) button and start the export - the file structure will correspond with the settings you selected for the template.

1. Select an (example) project for which you have already imported addresses.
2. Start the export wizard via address management or the Ergebnis (result) menu.
3. In individual steps, specify the main criteria for your export regarding output files, field selection and field structure and save the selected settings in the last step of the export wizard via the Vorlage speichern (save template) button under a meaningful name.
4. If you wish to set up different export formats as templates, use the Zurück (back) button to return to the relevant screen of the export wizard, make the necessary changes and save the current selection under a new name.
5. With the help of the export templates, you specify all settings for exporting your addresses from address management or the Ergebnis (result) menu once. In this way, you ensure that all files exported from Dialogpost Manager correspond to your desired format.

Note:
For setting up an export template, it is irrelevant whether you do this via the Ergebnis (result) menu or via address management. If you include fields in your template that will only be filled in after optimisation, these remain empty when exported via address management. If you wish to use a file for a mailshot, always launch the export via the Ergebnis -> Adressenexport (result -> address export) menu item

The Extras -> Blankoformulare (extras -> blank forms) menu item enables you to easily print a wide range of forms required for postal dispatch.

With the help of the free Deutsche Post Einlieferungslisten Deutsche Post posting lists) tool, you can also directly complete the forms required for your mailshot and attach your mailshot for postal dispatch.

Mail merge from Dialogpost Manager makes it possible to easily print your franking impressions onto adhesive labels or directly onto envelopes. In this way, you can create a stockpile of envelopes or labels with franking impressions, for example, in order to use these in your subsequent Dialogpost campaigns.

Note:

For printing a stockpile of envelopes or labels, use a project with as many addresses as possible in order to be able to print as many copies as possible in one work step. If you only have a relatively small number of addresses, create an example document and import any address file (e.g., one of the example files provided).

1. Open a project with as many addresses as possible.
2. If you have not yet carried out any optimisation for this project, confirm the suggested options for the Sendung bearbeiten (process item), Angaben zur Fertigung (processing settings) and Angaben zur Zahlungsweise (payment information) items and then launch the optimisation.
3. Now you can open the mail merge and begin the actual printing of franking impressions.
4. Create a new document and select the desired paper format.
5. Place a positioning frame for a franking impression with the required data in the document.
6. Save the document under a meaningful name for reuse.
7. Start printing. Please answer the question regarding machine-readability with a yes.
8. Under Adressbereich (address area), select the Adressen (addresses) option and specify the number of franking impressions as an interval (e.g., 1 - 1000 for 1,000 items). If the number of franking impressions to be printed is larger than the number of addresses, simply repeat steps 7 and 8.

The export and mail merge functions allow the output of many data fields to be adjusted to the individual requirements of the user. Thus the ‘x’ which is output as standard at the start of production mailings and containers cam be replaced with a control sequence adapted for your printer. This can, for example, stop printing before each container so that employees are given enough time in production to change the container. The options are available in the field selection windows for the export or mail merge.

The export and mail merge functions allow the output of many data fields to be adjusted to the individual requirements of the user. Thus the ‘x’ which is output as standard at the start of production mailings and containers cam be replaced with a control sequence adapted for your printer. This can, for example, stopPractical example: to stop a RENA printer, insert a Text positioning frame in the mail merge, insert the field Behälter-Anfang (container start), in which you previously entered %04 in the options, and select a printer font for all of the text in this frame. For every initial shipment of a container, %04 will now be displayed in the preview. These characters will not be output when printing, but will instead stop the printer.