Bulk geocoding through HttpRequest

Question

I am learning how to do bulk geocoding through an HTTP request and return the response in JSON, XML, or something that can handle pHp on the server side.

The number of addresses in a batch is hundreds. Each user of this mobile web application will make one request (one package) only if I can save the data on my own server after they are returned.

To summarize for someone looking for similar things:

• The term Google Map does not allow you to make too many queries.
• Openstreetmap terminates heavy requests
• Bing ...
• TinyGeocoder ... Does anyone know the usage limitations and the package features of this? (Tinygeocoder.com)

I came to Bing and see this under their conditions: (http://www.microsoft.com/maps/product/terms.html)

(c) Exceeds a total of 24 party geocoding or file uploads with a maximum of 200,000 records each using the Bing Spatial Data Services API for any 24-hour period.

Can anyone who is familiar with their API or geocoding generally tell me, does this mean that I can only make 24 requests per day, each request does not contain more than 200,000 entries?

Conditions like this will render the service useless for applications that make such requests based on user data.

Can I invest in freemium service if someone knows another provider?

Answer 1

Openstreetmap terminates heavy requests

You can use the MapQuests Nominatim version, it provides a free API for GeForce OpenStreetMaps data with no usage restrictions .

http://devblog.mapquest.com/2011/11/17/no-preset-limit-on-free-map-api-transactions/

Answer 2

You may consider OpenStreetMap . It offers a web service for geocoding, although it is also limited in speed. However, if you exceed the acceptable use of the service, you can download data and set up your own server.

For geocoding, you probably want to look at your own Nominatim server. See here for installation instructions: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Nominatim/Installation

Answer 3

"Does this mean that I can only make 24 requests per day, each request does not contain more than 200,000 entries?" Yes, that’s exactly what it means. The Bing Maps spatial data API is a package service - it is not designed for real-time geocoding of data by end users, but if you want to geocode new records inserted into the database table as an hourly scheduled task, let's say (why 24 requests per day )

Also see 3.2 d) - you can only store geocodes in the Bing Maps geocoding service if you intend to display the results on a Bing map.

For alternative providers, I recommend that you look at one of the geonames web services: http://www.geonames.org/export/ws-overview.html The corresponding service really depends on what level of accuracy you want to geocode and what data source you want to. Please note that geocoders are very different in quality, and a service that works well with US addresses, say, can be terrible in Europe.

Answer 4

I used http://open.mapquestapi.com/nominatim via an HTTP request. So far no problems have been queued a couple of times, but nothing serious. Jim

Answer 5

Try the geocodefarm api . It allows up to 100,000 requests per day. They do not do group geocoding, but I'm sure you can set up a foreach loop to make the package for you. If you turn to them, they will increase the level higher, but, of course, for a higher fee. Not sure if you are willing to pay, but prices are really affordable.

~ Alex