BatchGeo API – How do you want it to work?
For awhile now I have considered creating an API for developers to be able to access some of the technologies in BatchGeo. Sure you could go about using the Google Maps API directly, but geocoding using their API can be slow and troublesome. For instance they don’t offer any mechanisms for caching your geocodes beyond the context of a single user. It also requires you write complex JavaScript to create maps.
I’d envision an API that really hardly resembled one. It would allow you to write basic HTML to access BatchGeo’s mechanism of geocoding and saving to a web page. Once a page is saved you’d be able to update it by changing the source HTML.
My question is: Do you think an API would be useful to you, and what would you like to see in it? Assuming this is going to put greater strain on the server and might require additional hardware dedicated… Would you be willing to pay a monthly fee to support such an API?
Let me know what you think by posting here!
Comments
It would be nice to be able to programmatically add / submit new addresses. We are creating a list of wellness support centers and will constantly be adding new addresses. It wouldn’t really work to come back here and generate a new map each time.
I really like your find nearest location feature.
I agree with John, it would be a dream to be able to add new addresses to an exsisting map.
For both work and a nonprofit I’m involved with, there would be real value in being able to go back and forth between data in a spreadsheet and data fields in the map (and of course the pin positions themselves). Currently BatchGeo does a good job of one half of this – but to be able to have updates to the map data fields show up in the spreadsheet, and updates to the spreadsheet (new rows/new locations/new customers, etc) show up in the map – that would be a killer app to offer alongside google apps like shared calendar, address books, and documents.
I’d like an option to send you (1) a spreadsheet and (2) some money, and receive back the code to paste into the occasional client’s website.
Custom icons would be great!
Is this service free and are there any limits? I need to do some static maps, geocoding and directions but I don’t want to pay for Google Premier services.
This seems an excellent idea and one suggestion would be to have a “simple” offering that supports conversion of addresses to pins and an “enhanced” one that includes additional fields. As for a fee, yes – however – I would also like a “per job” fee as opposed in addition to a monthly fee because I would just want to use if from time to time. Say $1 for simple and $2 for enhanced and then a simple method to get the data into my maps on google. A monthly fee definitely makes sense for orgs that have ongoing requirements.
I am new to creating maps, but have found Batchgeo to be a fantastic tool, even for a newbee. Thank you.
Regarding spacial references; I am interested in using Batchgeo to set up geographic boundaries based on physical distance from a given location. For example; let’s say I want to set up sales territories around a given store. Does anyone know how this may be done using Batchgeo ?
Thanks again, great tool.
how many points can you map at once? I have almost 1000 stores to add on a single map.
I am tried to code a lot of address at once, but get error messages regarding stack error in line 37 (or other lines). What does this mean? Is there a way to eliminate this problem? Or am I just trying to code too many addresses (1000-5000)
Thanks,
Curran
Hello!
One question, I try to use this service in Russia, my spreadsheet looks like this:
City Name Phone
Moscow Ivan 834454854
Moscow Anton 8334534
Moscow Peter 8345546
I don’t know geo coords and I don’t want to set street information. After geocoding all points in the same place and I see only last point. I have to move last point to see others. Can you have decision for my issue?
Is there a way for batchgeo to use the URL for a small logo to become the “pin” for locations on the map?
I would love this as a api, I need to create kml files everyday for location of customers and staff, this would assist me (if you ever want someone to test just shout)
A link of some sort between this and FileMaker solutions would be fantastic. And based on what I’m reading on the FileMaker forums, would be a valued tool.
It needs to be dynamic based on a found set of records. I’m sure the same functionality would be greatly appreciated by the Sql crowd as well.
Would love to see a two-way mashup between a google spreadsheet and a google map. Perhaps it could read from a currently existing google map and dump that data into a spreadsheet. Each icon could map to a specific code. There could be the current variables, but also a free-text variable to allow any amount of information to be added (up to a point).
Hi,
Great tool. Yes, absolutely, an API would be very useful. You could use REST and probably whip it up in a few hours. It should take an array of data like the spreadsheet template and return a map.
That would be brilliant. I have a project and budget for it already.
Please contact me on Skype (dtokeefe) or call 908 998 2278.
Best regards,
David
I need help finding the quickest way to convert NOAA data to mapping peramiters and overlay them on a map created. I have an unpublished map i would be glad to send you , this may be the only way to do it,
I love the site I have been able to shave much time off of my work day
I sent a donation, thank you very much
I don’t think an API would necessarily be useful for me. I would however be willing to pay for the following:
1. Custom icons
2. Branding options (remove BatchGeo information)
3. Login controls (restrict usage to a link)
ps. I got you onto Lifehacker. I hope the traffic surge isn’t killing the server!
Thanks for the Lifehacker plug! That was definitely a big link!
I am interested in offering a download source code / hosting with no batchgeo branding solution … but in my mind it would need to be some sort of pay for service so I can continue to support this service.
What do you think would be fair for a monthly hosted option or one time source code download option?
Can you please make this work with Microsoft Virtual Earth/Bing Maps as well?
http://www.bing.com/community/blogs/maps/archive/2008/05/09/integrating-virtual-earth-maps-and-excel-2007.aspx
It would be great if users had a choice..thanks
Today we noticed a big change in our map, it appears that you’ve consolidated several small red flags into a larger yellow with the number of red flags it represents indicated on it. Is this the only way the maps are available now. We were just getting used to using it the old way and now it isn’t nearly as handy to use.
I’m trying to come up with a good strategy for displaying more than 100 points. When you just see a map drowning in markers is a bit hard to use.
Please send any recommendations you have. I did make a change where it will only show the clustered marker view if you aren’t using groups. So if you’d like to disable this feature you can use groups.
Hi,
1
Wouldn’t it be useful to provide long/lat input fields, in order to combine existing maps with additional input? No need to re-code them over again, as it takes a lot of time with large files.
2
Is there any way to have a timeout option for a single data record, and that record skipped while the rest of the input file is processed?
When an address is returned as ‘unknown’, I get the impression that that batchgeo process hangs, probably waiting for a response from the api.
So far I had to manually stop the process, save first part of the output,
discard the incorrect address, and set forth again.
I think an HTML-accessible API would be awesome.
My vote for API functions would be:
1) select pushpins based on a searchField that can be associated with any column or combination of columns within the data, which allows “and, or, not” operators in the search field, and which can include a combobox where the user can define whether to show, highlight, or hide the pushpin for each record that matches the searchField,
2) a simple point-by-point vector border
3) ability to create regions, and show the borders for each and each region label.
Facilitating such features would definitely make the API a worthwhile investment.
I’m not greedy or anything … just visionary.
An API that would enable a stream of addresses to be passed by a database application would be useful. A means to pass a csv file would also be useful and probably easier for you to develop since you already accept Excel data pasted into your website.
Ultimately I would like to be able to have a user query a list of addresses and press a button to display a map of the addresses that were queried.
Great application of google maps. I’m loving it.
To make it really useful for me, (not sure if this is exactly an API) I would love to have a small executable on my machine that I run with an xml file as a command line parameter and it pops up a web page with the addresses mapped. I can take it from there for what I need.
Pretty sure I could sell that in my industry and give you a cut.
Almost as useful would be an Excel macro to produce the webpage. Then I can datalink to get data in, then use your macro to get it out.
Is there any way to upload a list… and then continue editting my map?
so far i could only use your tool for like a picture…i need to edit it
Is there a way to hook a database table into this service (MySQL)?
I work at a non profit whose duty is to provide employment services. This site helps us a lot in some respects, and we would love to be able to integrate this into our platform using code. We do prefer a source code option to keep the data inhouse, versus having to send it across the internet unsecured.
I would be willing to pay for this service as is now. It has dramtically changed the way I do my job. I work in route formation and planning for public transit. Here are some features that would help me:
1. I would like is a lasso or polygon tool to capture all points in a given area, then export them with the data they contain. I am currently using copy/paste.
2. I would pay a private login/pw so that I know I am the only one who can view the maps I create.
3. I would also like the option to disable the “marker clustering”. It is a brilliant idea, but I have found problems with it. For example: 2 markers on at one place will never be revealed by zooming; it will always show as a cluster of two.
Your vision of an api is awesome, to be able to either link directly to a Sql Server or to pass in a dataset of postcodes and/or lat/longs and have them mapped would be fantastic.
Have you finished it yet?
Further to above, some sort of security (perhaps a secure https url)would also be sweet!
Hi,
Please advise your latest thoughts on making source code available for purchase or providing a hosted service option?
Thanks
Richard -
We have source code options available to users in our Custom Services program, you can apply online here:
http://batchgeo.com/services/
Any possibility of being able to generate routes from shapefiles or a set of co-ordinates and displaying via FMP webviewer?
Yes! we have been looking for a service that simply provides a standardized web service to single or batch of geocoded or reverse geocoded addresses. Yes, I think we would pay for the service.
I am a photographer, and need to manage my shooting schedule worldwide.
When I receive a confirmation from a subject that I should shoot with them in their city, I would like to map their location – even if it is only a postal code.
I have written a simple PHP/SQL script to manage my shooting contacts. I currently use it to create a PHP page that lists the contacts (name, e-mail, genres, photo) by my criteria (currently the general city such as LA or Las Vegas, which span large geographic areas, with multiple ZIP Codes).
I would like this PHP script to next generate a Map, with markers of the contacts’ locations. This page is not public, and I only use it for myself.
I don’t right now care if the “location” is a street address, or a ZIP/Postal Code.
I am currently planning a trip to the UK. Several subjects have told me they live in “Essex”, or “Zone 1″, or “Piccadilly Circus”.
I need a Map!
* I need to add a field to my SQL table for a minimum address to GeoCode by,
* I need to know the parameters of the address field – US vs International,
* I need my PHP page to generate that map on the fly.
Thanks
I am so excited to see this tool coming out! I was having to pay several people to do the job this does in seconds! I can’t wait for my approval so I can get this intergrated with my site!
Thanks so much for what you do!
Tyson
Is there a method for pagination of the dataset that appears below the maps? I am going to creating a map with ~900 points and it would be a really long list
Also, does the dataset list conform to the group(s) that are currently being displayed?
Hello,
This is a great tool! I was just wondering how long do these maps stay active for? Also, Is there a way to delete them?
thanks,
Carlton
I love Batchgeo! I would love to see API integration with Wufoo which I use for online event registrations, surveys, data input.
Right now within Wufoo you can integrate several programs that support API. Some of these programs include Mailchimp, Campaign Monitor, Campfire, Highrise, Salesforce and Freshbooks.
It would be amazing to be able to see the up-to-date geodata of all the people who register. Ps-Wufoo has an ip-adress stamped in with every registration.
excelent
We’d definitely utilize an API (paid or otherwise). Though we already have geocoded lat/longs, it would be ideal to offer maps to our customers in batchgeo’s intuitive format… we’d love to see the ability to post the affected data and submit flags (group by, map title, etc) in one post…. and ideally receive the batchgeo map URL?
Hmm, no comments have been added to this blog post in the last 7 months.
Hey BatchGeo, what are the prospects of an API to BG sometime this year?
In any event, thanks for making this site, it’s quite useful!
Greg – we hope to open a beta version of it soon.
I use BatchGeo to map my delivery schedule. It would be nice to set a label that would display next to each pin so I know what I am delivering her and there. Also if the group letter showed up in the pin, not just the color, that would help. I use the P group for pickups, and the D group for deliveries, but when printed in black and white its hard to see. Also printing maps from IE8 causes an error and crashes, I have to use Chrome.
I need to verify a list of about 800000 addresses, all I need to know is if they are valid addresses. BG seems to know if an address is valid or not. An API that would let me submit these addresses and determine back if they were valid would be valuable and I would be willing to pay something for it.
How long do the links stay active?
I’ll put it simply:
I’d like to tell batchgeo: Here is the url to a *.csv file containing all my addresses and Names, etc…
Then batchgeo would process it creating a map that would contain all these addresses. Batchgeo could update this map every “n” minutes during my workday (I would need this option in some admin panel).
I’d sell this map as a feature for my software and, I could pay batchgeo a little fee everytime I want to update my map, and maybe other fee for hosting the map.
Hi all,
Wonderful tool, BatchGeo. Thanks for this!
I was looking for an API and all I could find was this blog post. Great that you are thinking about creating one! How are things progressing in the meantime? Would love an update! There would be a beta version coming out? I would love to be one of the testers!
Thijs