Which Updates Do I Install? Why, Only the Important Ones, of Course.

That's a headline that's only missing the "smiley" face, or the "LOL" comment at the end. But it's a light-hearted comment on one of today's serious computer issues.

It seems like not a day goes by that there is not some update for your computer. It seems like they are all "critical". Plus, they all need to be installed right away or your computer will not work right, or your computer will not be safe, or life as we know it will end, or worse. Well, maybe the "life as we know it" is a little strong, but after you read the warnings and suggestions it can be confusing.

Our CPS™ shipping software updates are always virus tested before they are delivered, so you can count on CPS and its updates as safe to install. But CPS is not the whole picture for software installed on your shipping computer. Your shipping computer has an Internet connection, a web browser, maybe a connection for on-line postage - so it's exposed to the world. To keep your shipping station safe and working, here is a short list of suggestions for updating your company's shipping computer and keeping it safe.

First, install all CPS updates. CPS updates provide the most up-to-date carrier rates, services and other programming to meet the carrier's specifications. CPS can be set to do this automatically, and CPS updates normally install pretty quickly. Next, be sure to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date. There are people all over the world who want to spy on your computer, or worse, disable it. Computer protection programs may not catch everything, but they will certainly give you a fighting chance against today's cyber bad guys. But only install one anti-virus program - not more. And while you are at it, be sure to install your operating system updates, too. There is little worse than having a major computer problem and discovering that an unapplied operating system update from 4 months ago fixed the problem.

One point to consider - be sure your anti-virus/firewall updates do not block CPS or any other important program you use.

Do these basics and you are helping to keep you computer running correctly and your packages going out the door.

Harvey Software Now Viewable on YouTube

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is a video worth? We think videos are also worth a lot, so Harvey Software now has a channel on YouTube called HarveySoft. Each short video on our new channel takes about 2 minutes to show how a feature in CPS works, so you can see how it can apply to your shipping. We are sure you will find ideas about how we solve your shipping problems.

Automatic carrier rate shopping is expected in a good shipping system, so our first two videos show how the CPS RateBot and CPS Smart RateBot work. Right now, today, companies are using these easy to implement RateBots to save on their shipping. So take a look at Harvey Software on YouTube and imagine how much your company can save in its shipping. It will be 2 minutes of your time well spent.

We're easy to find at: http://www.youtube.com/user/HarveySoft

Save $$$ and Frustration When You Check the Address Before You Ship

What is more frustrating to your customer (and you) than a package that never reaches its destination? And how annoying is it to you when you pay too much to ship a package? Whenever you avoid these situations, everyone wins. Checking the address at the time a package is shipped can reduce and even eliminate the unhappy customers that result from packages that cannot be delivered due to a bad address - even when the customer typed the address themselves. Address verification can also slash "address correction" fees. These mean you pay more (sometimes a lot more) for a good package delivery.

Many companies either price shop each package or want to price shop. The better address correction programs tell you if the destination is a commercial or residential address so the right type of delivery service is used for price comparisons. After all, who wants pages of unexpected residential delivery fees on the carrier bill? An additional layer to this problem is that address verification programs can cost in the thousands, so how can you make a solution for these problems cost effective?

The Address Verification Module (AVM) for Harvey Software's CPS shipping software uses the USPS CASS certified database and: 1) Makes rate shopping happen correctly between residential and commercial services; 2) Warns you if the residential/commercial choice is incorrect; 3) Tells you when an address doesn't exist; 4) Lets you know that the address exists but is missing some key information such as suite number apt #, etc.; and 5) Standardizes addresses to match the USPS CASS certified database. Some address correction programs cost thousands. For CPS, it's just $199.95 to add this great capability.

CPS is not the only shipping system that has this available, although the CPS AVM is definitely one of the least costly. Address checking in your shipping system is another way a good shipping system helps your company put money on the bottom line and solves the shipping problem of bad addresses.