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We''ll find them by Zip Code (I HOPE)

  • June 11, 2005 at 11:20 pm

    #88661

    Hello,

    I am in need for a sugestion for my newest delema.

    I am making a database for a sign up form to store information about contractors in the usa.

    i am alos making a form that people who are looking for contractors may fill out and after a list of questions of services that they are in need of they fill in thier zip code.

    When they hit the send button this will in turn send the information to the database where the contractors are kept, and the contractor located in thier area will be located via fax or email.

    What is my best route for this adventure and what steps should i take?

     

    THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

    Dam again!

  • June 13, 2005 at 6:48 am

    #564955

    Erik - hopefully someone who's worked on something similar will respond to this soon, but here's my 2 cents..

    Your best route would be to buy a "zip database" - something that is updated frequently - there are SO MANY of these in the market with various features...eg: you could calculate distances between geographic coordinates to send a list of contractors sorted by distance from user etc..there are many address validation tools, zip databases you could link your own database to etc..

    Again, I don't have any specifics (not having worked with this)..but I hope it gives you some direction in your research!







    **ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI !!!**

  • June 13, 2005 at 7:19 am

    #564963

    i was not aware that there was such a database. Do you have a suggestion to where i might find a zip database?

     

    Thanks.

    Dam again!

  • June 13, 2005 at 7:33 am

    #564975

    Erik - here's where I was hoping that someone who's actually used zip codes in an application would be able to help out with specific names/tools etc..

    However, until then just search on the Net for something like "commercial zip code databases" or some such and you can get started on some groundwork!







    **ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI !!!**

  • June 13, 2005 at 7:48 am

    #564981

    Will do...

    Dam again!

  • June 13, 2005 at 8:58 am

    #565027

    You can get the zip database from the US Postal Service.  They also offer free web services if you are constantly connected.  Check them out:
     
     
    Now, you wouldn't want to limit the search to the exact zip code.  Even a medium sized metro contains many zip codes.  One of the easier ways to do this is to use the first 3 didgits of the zip, i.e where zip_code like('100*') would result in all of Manhattan.  This is not exact and as mentioned using proximity info using longitude & latitude to calculate an actual radius from the central point of a zip is more exact.  This data can be gleaned from USPS as well:
     
     
    Then cross referenced with the US Geological society data:
     
     
    To get proximity data (i.e. zip codes 10000 - 11000 encompass the New York metro area).
     
    Hope that helps.

  • June 13, 2005 at 9:46 am

    #565041

    I THInk that i have asked my question incorrectly; however, the information received will be utilized. "Thank You"

    Let me try again:

     

    1. Lets say i have one table, and this one table has information about contractors. The attributes "Fields" for this table will consist of, area serviced, what areas the contractors specializes in, "And this may be more than one", and their general information.

    AND

    2. Lets say i have one web form that a user fills out online while looking for a contractor that does exterior painting in the dallas texas area.

    After the button is pushed i would like to notify "IN the case of this example", four  painting contractors in the Dallas texas area, ny email or by phone.

    I am assuming this is all done by triggers and SPROS.

    Can anyone help me?

    Erik

     

    Dam again!

  • June 13, 2005 at 9:17 pm

    #565162

    You can send an e-mail by using SQL Mail or SMTP. I am not aware if sending a fax or making a phone call is possible through SQL Server. If someone knows I will be interested to know.

    In the meanwhile, I think if your goal is to look for sending a fax, then you should look for your solution elsewhere, like in the front-end or middle-tier. If for example you are using ".Net", I am sure it provides a way to send faxes.

    On the other hand, if you have any of the new advanced printers, which do scan, print, fax, etc. These printers provide several built-in features. These could be triggered using ".Net" or some other app.

    Just my 2 cents. Not knowing much, this is the route I would start looking at.

     

  • June 13, 2005 at 9:27 pm

    #565163

    ok, but what would be a SPROC to notify the e-mail client?

     

    When the user that is seeking the contractor  hits the submitt button on a web form, and that information enters the data base, what would be the SPROC to notify the e-mail to send out emails to certaion local contractors?

     

    Thanks

    Dam again!

  • June 13, 2005 at 9:33 pm

    #565164

    Check these out:

    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;312839&sd=tech

    http://www.sqlteam.com/item.asp?ItemID=5003

     

  • June 13, 2005 at 9:41 pm

    #565165

    Thank You!

    Dam again!

  • June 14, 2005 at 9:17 am

    #565369

    I have run across a similar problem when asked to query our database of Seminar information for all clients that have had seminars in certain areas. 

     

    It was solved by purachasing a ZIP code database from http://www.zipcodeworld.com  This database contains not only zip code information, but matching area codes, city codes, state information as well as Latitude and Longitude.  We use the Latitude/Longitude to return all ranges of zip codes around a 50 mile radius of our search criteria which is joined on our SeminarLocation table and further narrowed down by date range.

     

    Hope this helps!

  • June 14, 2005 at 2:28 pm

    #565498

    Thank!

    Dam again!

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