This KnowledgeBase article reviews how to setup the "Postal Code Matrix" as the company "Distance Calculation Method" which allows the definition of mileage values between postal code combinations. Typically the company's distance calculation method is selected during X Dispatch implementation and is not changed thereafter because changing to a different option will instantly cause different distance values to be calculated.  Warning: Be sure you really want to change distance values before modifying this setting.

Creating a postal code matrix is an obsolete form of calculating mileage because of the availability of accurate online mileage calculation methods such as Bing Maps.  Online or "cloud based" mileage calculation methods are recommended because they do not require the great amount of time to setup and maintain a postal code matrix and are much more accurate due to their ability to create door-to-door mileage values.

A related option is "Postal Code Matrix with Fallback to Great Circle."  This option initially creates mileage values based upon the Postal Code Matrix, but if a combination is not found for an order, a secondary lookup is performed to the "Great Circle" mileage calculation definition.  The same negatives exist with this option as the standard "Postal Code Matrix" option: Modern cloud-based distance calculation options are preferable.

Setting up the Postal Code Matrix

1. Go to "Options -> Order"
   
2. Select "Calculation method" field.  "Postal code matrix" is one of the available options.
   
3. Select "Postal Code Matrix."
   
4. Press "Show Matrix" button.
   
5. If the postal code matrix has already been created, two options are available.
   
   1. Enter at least the first four numerals of origin and destination postal codes and press "Get Details" to return those distance values.
      
   2. Press "Return All" to display all results.
      
6. If postal code matrix has not been created, then press "Return All" and begin entering "PostalCodeFrom," "PostalCodeTo," and "Distance" information.
   
7. Press "OK" when completed.