ALK’s North American routing, mapping, toll data, and U.S. ZIP Code databases are released
annually and updated throughout the year. All PC*MILER Web Services users can access the
current annual release dataset. Premium and Premium-Worldwide users can, in addition, access
current mid-release datasets and past annual release datasets for the versions available in the
service.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PC*MILER Web Services provides connections to the most current
version release and to past releases. ALK recommends using the current version for everything
other than rating and auditing trips made in the 12 months following a past release where
necessary. If the intended use of the product includes generating driving directions, we strongly
recommend that the newest version release is not only integrated but is the version that’s
accessed when requesting routing results. Each new version release provides the most up-to-date
highway and street-level network data available; enhancements can include updated truck
restrictions and allowances, new highways and streets, updated exit ramp structures, road
alignment enhancements, and more.
The current annual release dataset is updated throughout year for toll rates (in the U.S. and
Canada only, and accessible to Premium and Premium-Worldwide users only) and, beginning
with version 24, for additions of U.S. ZIP codes; and it is updated semi-annually with additions
of Canadian Postal Codes. It is also updated for occasional closings of interstate highways
expected to last for more than one month, which are the only updates that are made to the current
annual release dataset. All other types of updates will be released in the next mid-release or
annual dataset, including changes resulting from customer-reported data issues. For a more
complete description of the types of data contained in PC*MILER, including data accessible
only to Premium and Premium-Worldwide users, see section 1.1 and Chapter 6, PC*MILER
Feature Descriptions.
If you are using PC*MILER as a basis of payment, you should first agree with your payer or
payee on whether to use a particular annual version, the most current annual version, or the most
current mid-release version, and purchase a feature level that supports that agreement. You will
then need to set the data version field accordingly, following the instructions for the DataVer
field in the next section (see section 1.2.1).
North American Database Update Details. Annual Release Datasets for North America are
updated throughout the year with toll rates (Premium and Premium-Worldwide users only) and,
starting with version 24, additional U.S. ZIP Codes. On occasion the annual release dataset will
be updated with major highway closings expected to last more than one month. These updates
are available to all Web Services feature levels and to PC*MILER desktop and network
customers. The three mid-release dataset updates available to Premium and Premium-Worldwide
users contain additional streets, highways and address data as well as an occasional correction
for customer reported routing issues. The presence of these additional roads and corrections can
create distance discrepancies between non-Premium Web Services customers and customers
using the desktop or networked editions of PC*MILER. If this is the case, we recommend
setting the DataVer to the base version release (see section 1.2.1 below).
When a new North American mid-release release dataset is available, an email will be sent to all
Premium and Premium-Worldwide users, identifying what was updated and how users can
access the new release. It will also identify the setting for the DataVer field (see section 1.2.1
below for assistance). To make sure all applicable parties in your organization receive
notification of available data updates, please email sales@alk.com with applicable names and
email addresses.