Tech advice - postcodes/geographical search

[cybermule]

Does anyone know of software that would accept a user-entered postcode, then search a database to find the nearest service to that postcode? Like the cinema finders, but that you could edit the list of "cinemas" yourself.

I'm stumped - I don't even know what to Google to find that.

Comments

That sounds like my department

[apel.livejournal.com]

Are you thinking of building something like a store locator?

Here's a Royal Mail page about postcode data. Although ultimately I think you're going to want to speak to a licensed reseller.

If neither of these have what you're looking for, can you explain in more detail what you need the software for and I've got a colleague who will know enough to at least give you something to Google on, if not a vendor name.

Re: That sounds like my department

[cybermule.livejournal.com]

Ah - thanks, Apel. I didn't know whether it was actually a Post Office related thing at all, or whether it had been commercialised. So basically, yes. What I'm trying to do is essentially to build a store locator. So when a customer gives us their postcode, we can find one of our registered designers who live nearest to them and hook them up.

Does that make sense?

So I'm going to have a proper look through those links, and get back to you. Thanks so much - I was completely boggled over that!

Re: That sounds like my department

[apel.livejournal.com]

A search on ["store locator" postcode-based] led me to this company. I've never heard of them before but it should be a starting point at least.

[d-ph4ze.livejournal.com]

'ello, Google Maps has a local search thingy but I can't say whether its any good: http://maps.google.co.uk

Re: That sounds like my department

[cybermule.livejournal.com]

That looks cracking, Apel - and a PHP version too! Thanks for all your help, and please consider me first if I can return the favour :)