Fastfile Applications

The good news is that we have decide that we will release all Fastfile and Mailkit code under some form of open-source license.

My reasoning for this is that I feel that in all honesty, I cannot recommend anyone to continue using software that is  10 years old.

Today the world is changing exponentially fast, and it is worth reviewing working practices on a regular basis as new technologies become available.

In the “Information Age” – what is needed more than anything else is  intelligence.  I have started a new blog about Science, Technology and Spirituality – which I am sure you will find useful.

The code posted there in due, course, but in the meantime you are free to post any comments or questions here – by posting on the website your questions and answers will bless others. And if another former-client has an answer, you’ll both benefit from the exchange.

We are still thinking and praying through the details and thank you for your patience.

Confidentiality: We want to assure all the former Clients of Fastfile applications and Mailkit – that your private data is completely secure and will remain so.  There have been some requests to put clients in touch with each other.  If you would like to be put in touch with other clients, please contact us and give us your permission.

We understand Royal Mail are changing the prices in April. We have had some queries about what to do. So here is the relevant section from our Manual:

CHANGING THE PRICES

Mailsort prices and public tariff prices are held in a file called RMPRICES.DXT.  If Royal Mail announce price changes to Mailsort or Presstream you can make the necessary changes yourself without needing an update from Fastfile.  But when Royal Mail change the formula then you will need a new copy of Mailkit.

You can alter the prices or factors that go into the formula by clicking the Prices button in either of the Reports programs.

Enter  the new prices, factors and discounts in the pricing panel.  Click on the exit button and confirm you wish to save the changes.

Once the new pricing details have been entered, they will be used for calculating prices on all reports generated thereafter.

The Mailsort price for an item is called the “straight line cost” (SLC) because it is calculated from a formula which gives the price in 1 gram increments rather than large steps as in the public tariff prices.

The formula is :

SLC = postage rate  + price factor (actual weight – fixed weight)

The fixed weight is 60, 100 or 300 grams depending on the actual weight and the service.

The price factor is always less than 1 and may have up to 4 places of decimals. Price factors should be entered in the grid as 100 times their actual value, that is a number with 2 places of decimals.

Do not add or delete rows in the prices grid as this will cause chaos.