MapForums

I'm need my real estate oriented Filemaker Pro database application to get jpeg maps and geocodes out of mappoint through a background process. I do not want my users to use the Mappoint user interface at all. Filemaker Pro is a desktop database similar to Access. However, it does not support COM or VB or any of that jazz directly. It does however support DDE Execute commands (but not DDE Requests). It also have strong XML support and does support ODBC.

I'm clueless about windows programming in general, but have made bat files that I call with a DDE command that then run commands to generate text files which I then import into FileMaker. It's ugly, but it works.

I need to be able to send an address and in return get a jpeg file (with a unique name) of the map with a pin point on it corresponding to the address and at the same time provide a text file including the path or name of the jpeg and the geocode. I need to be able to do this one record at a time or as a batch of many records (which could just iterate the above). I also need to be able to do the mapping part with multiple addresses on the same map with numbered push pins.

Can you help?

You could write a FileMaker Pro 'plug-in' that then calls MapPoint functionality. Sounds a bit tricky but definately do-able.

I hadn't thought of a FileMaker Plug-in, but that's certainly another possibility. Problem there is you need filemaker plugin expertise, plus Mappoint and perhaps VB to do the job. I'm not sure of the best approach, but glad to have another option.

I'm happy to pay a reasonable development fee for this work if anyone is interested. Any takers?

You can try posting on www.GISbid.com , I understand there are lots of active bidders for jobs posted there..

Eric

__________________

Thank's Eric. I posted a project request over there. It looks a little too general though. I just need some VB help by someone who know's MapPoint.

You can try tecfacs.com, seadak.com, mattysconsulting.com, spatialpoint.com and of course mappointpartners.com.

Eric

Amended 2/5/04

__________________

I can develop an interface for you. First thought would be a COM add-in for MP which will access an XML file that Filemaker can produce but there are other options.

I have been working with VB for 20 years, MP for 3 years and have written/supported many interfaces and whole products.

Email me for my CV: martin at tecfacs.com or look at the company website: www.tecfacs.com

M.

I still think a Plug-In written in C or C++ would be a more 'elegant solution'. That way the exposed 'Plug-In' function could return the name of the jpg and other info and it could be used as part of a 'table update' operation to update all records at once. No need to export anything out of FileMaker.

You could also make use of the MapPoint Web Service if you didn't want to deploy MapPoint on each machine.

Regards,

Dave

Could you please explain how to wtire a FMP 'plug-in' for mapPoint in detail?

Thanks in advance