Simply Postcode Lookup                     Phone: 01945 464854 

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Postcode Address Lookup Software
 

COM Object in Local Mode Programming manual:


 

  Demo Video : Explanation of Local Mode

(Sound Required)

  COM Postcode Lookup Features

  • Very easy to add to your application

Simply download our example code, and program with the COM Toolkit (ActiveX), using the web based database.  Then simply download the local data files and call LMSetDataPath(), in your application, to point to data files.  The COM Toolkit will then use the local data in this directory

  • Idea for ASP, ASP.NET, .NET and other windows Programming

Almost any windows based development language can incorporate this functionality.   Please note it is also possible to call COM objects from other languages such as Java

  • Updates downloaded from Web

    You can download all of the data, or order it on CD-ROM, then apply updates to your installation.  Once upgraded you can distribute to your customers, if applicable. 

    [Download Data]

  • Same COM interface as Web calls using COM

    This means you can start developing you application now, using the Web database calls, and then switch to Local files at a later date.  If you have many customers, you can have a mixture of customers.  Some on Local files, and some using Web based database calls depending on their internet connection.

  • Faster than the Web based Query

Obviously the query time will be faster than requesting data, via the internet, from our web server

  • Postcode System can be unlock through your software

    We offer the functionality to manage the unlock codes in your own software, or use the program provided.

  • Same pricing structure and data available as the Web based system

    We only charge extra if your require the data on CD-ROM, although the data can be easily download.

    [Download Data]

  Requirements

  • Windows Platform only

  • Local files must be in place  [Download Data and extra files]

  • Microsoft MDAC 2.5 (or better) drivers must be loaded on all machines going to use the COM object in local mode.   This is loaded on most machines and Web servers these days.   [Download MDAC]

  • All unlocks via Phone call.   01945 464854

  • For "Web use" Licenses, the program must be able to talk to our web server twice a day for license control.

  • For "Internal use" Licenses, only User licenses can be purchased.

  Local Mode:


The COM object (ActiveX) can be used in Local mode, which retrieves address data from a local copy of the PAF data.  Therefore the calls to the database are quicker, and work if you do not have connection to the internet.

The Price for the PAF data is the same as the Web version, but we charge extra for the initial CD-ROM, and any updates shipped by CD-ROM.  Updates can be easily downloaded from internet.  [Download Data and extra files]

In the case of PostZon and Thoroughfare (Street level) data, the data only needs updating every 12 months.  Full address should be updated every month.

See the VB6 examples for a demonstration of all of this working.  Or run SimplyPostCodeLookupCOMExample.exe from the "Example Code >> COM Object" directory

 

  Programming Differences in Local Mode:


Firstly it is the same COM object, as our Web based system, but we set an extra parameter first to point to the local data files. 

  Set Datapath and DataKey to make local

LMSetDataPath "X:\PAFDATA" 

SetDataKey "I"

 

The Licenses should then be applied to the system, using MANAGER.EXE program, or using your own interface (See below).  Alternatively you can add this functionality to your own software, see below.

The following procedures will then use the local database:

SearchForFullAddressWithDialogue

GetThoroughfareAddressRecord

GetFullAddressToList

GetFullAddressLineForSelection

GetFullAddressRecord

GetFullAddressRecordByAddressID

GetPostZonAddressRecord

The data key should be set to "I" (for internal use) or "W" (for Public Web Site use)

If the address data is used on a Web server, by employees of your company then call LMSetOverideComputerName(ComputerName) to set the user name of each user, in accordance with our and the Royal Mails terms and Conditions.  If the COM toolkit is used with an application (client running on each PC) then is is done automatically.

  [What is the Web use, Internal use, Full, Thoroughfare and PostZon data mean?]

Advanced searching (Full PAF) is NOT available when in local mode, but all other functions will work, but those that require Web connection will still use internet.  

 

  License Management with in your own application


The License is usually managed through the use of the MANAGER.EXE program.  But the programmer can incorporate the License functionality in their own application, using the calls: 

LMGetSiteCode() as string

LMGetLicenseID() as Long

This returns a code.  This code should be displayed, and the user quotes this number to obtain an "UnlockCode".  This code is used to identify the "Site", so the code cannot be used on another network or machine.

LMTryUnlockCode(UnlockCode as string) as string

Returns "OK : Summary of License" or Error description for display, if unlock is invalid.  So test for "OK" at start of string, meaning the license has been accepted.

LMGetLicienseInfo() as string

This function returns the status of data and license and should be displayed within the host application in a large text box.

Typical Output:

System:
  MDAC Version:2.0.0
  Data is on Machine:DEV6
  License ID:16240

Licenses:
  Eval ALL DATA:Internal Use:5 users, expires 28 Jun 2007, ALL Areas

Data Status:
Full PAF data present, Last updated:May 2007
  5 Internal Use users, Eval area ALL

Thorughfare (Street) PAF data present, Last updated:May 2007
  5 Internal Use users, Eval area ALL

PostZon data present, Last updated:May 2007
  5 Internal Use users, Eval area ALL

Users:
  PostZon DEV6
  Full DEV6
  Street DEV6


  Example to register licenses within you Application

Firstly all searches will result in "No License for data" error

 

So display a window which:

1) Displays the License information in a large text box, using LMGetLicienseInfo()

2) Display site code, which the user should quote when requesting a license

3) Allow user to enter unlock code, then call LMTryUnlockCode(UnlockCode)

4) Display string returned

5) If "OK" at start to string returned then close window, else allow another attempt at entering code

 

Always include MANAGER.EXE in the installation, since it may be needed 

 

For till solutions which want to offer both Full Address and Street/Thoroughfare Address, we suggest that your software sense the  presents of the data files, and switch ON/OFF the functionality based on the presents of:

  • PAF_FULL.dat is present, then offer FULL Address postcode search

  • PAF_THOURGHFARE.dat is present, then offer Thoroughfare/Street address postcode search

 

  Data Updates


The Data can be updated either:

1) With internet access:

  • using MANAGER.EXE to download the update files and apply

  • from within your application, calling LMUpdateData(True,YourProductName)

2) Without Internet Access

  • Download the complete data and replace files

  • Update one machine with internet access then copy data files to all other machines

  • Download update, then copy to target machine, then use MANAGER.EXE or call LMUpdateData(False,YourProductName)

where YourProductName is the name of your program, and is included in any window title shown

Your program can access the last date updated using:

LMGetLastUpdateDate(DataType as string) as string

where DataType = F (full), T (thoroughfare) or Z (PostZon)

This returns the data the data was last updated in YYYYMMDD format.  Your program could check this and ask to update, if older than 6 months for thoroughfare and PostZon, or 2 months for FULL  PAF address data

 

  MANAGER.EXE


The Program MANAGER.EXE gives access to the licenses and status of the system:

 Note: "Data Status" will only show data status if you have the data files loaded

This file must be located in the same directory as the data.

 

Add new License window:

 

 

  Other Restrictions


WARNING: Restoring from a backup, when using the Credits License for Web use, will lock out your system.  You will require a new unlock code to re-enable the system.

 

A license CANNOT be switched back from Local Data to Query our server once issued.

 

Postcode Lookup Software © ComTek Accounts 2005

Internet Postcode Address Lookup Software

 

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PAF Postcode Address Lookup using HTTP to request XML data

PAF Postcode Address Lookup Software Troubleshooting

PAF Postcode Address Lookup Software WEB Troubleshooting

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