If you have only a few hundred numbers to check on a fairly infrequent basis, then your data provider, an online bureaus or a point-of-call check such as that offered by CallFusion are probably the most cost-effective means of ensuring you don't call the wrong business.

However, if you have a number of data lists that must be checked regularly the CTPS Checker, along with a CTPS License, is a more cost-effective means of meeting your obligations. For example, let's compare the costs against a bureau service charging 1p per number checked (e.g. MarketingFile.com):

Assume an average of 20 data lists, each with an average of 2000 numbers. That's 40000 numbers to check a maximum of every 28 days. Further assume a CTPS Full License covering the entire UK.

Cost of a bureau service over 3 yrs (ex VAT):

40000 x 0.01p = £400 per check
13 checks per year = £5,200
Total cost over 3 years = £15,600

Cost of CTPS Checker over 3 yrs (ex VAT):

CTPS Checker Software License = £295
Annual support/upgrades (£100) x 3 years = £300
CTPS Full Licence (£2,320) x 3 years = £6960
Total cost over 3 years = £7,555

Total saving over bureau service: £8,045!

Not only do you make a significant saving over using a bureau service, you can check the numbers as often as you need without incurring additional costs. If you carry out regional marking activities, further savings can be made by opting for a CTPS Partial License rather than the full license. If you are part of a company group, a single CTPS License covers all group companies.

For detailed information on CTPS Licenses, please see the CTPS website.

Number format checks ensure accuracy

One of the key problems with using an online bureau is that the numbers must be supplied in the correct format required by the bureau. Sometimes staff don't stick to the rules and may enter numbers in a format that cannot be normalised and hence checked. The bureau service may not process such numbers and any guarantees are likely to exclude such numbers. CTPS Checker provides the means to ensure that numbers are formatted correctly, making for a more accurate check of your data. You can still check numbers that fail the rules checks - CTPS Checker will attempt to normalise the number into the standard format supplied in the CTPS lists..

To checkout the CTPS Checker User Guide, click here.