UK Royal Mail PAF address finder via postcode alternatives? [closed]

Question

We need an address finder (premise level) based on postcode. We have a budget of 40k for this. But I have been assigned to find some cheaper alternatives for Royal mail PAF database. Is Google any good to find premise level address when you send full postcode. Any recommendation over Royal Mail PAF file. Any web services out there for this to accomplish? Please share your knowledge.

Cheers, Naren

Answer 1

We use products from AFD for this, they work well for us.

Edit just saw Best way to geocode UK postcode with Google Maps API? on the front page.

Answer 2

In the UK the government has said that PAF data should be made free[1]. I'm painfully aware of the almost extortionate nature that Royal Mail operate.

Having worked with Royal Mail PAF API, I known a 'friend' (wink wink) that created a class wrapper around the APIs. This 'friend' of mine built a custom Importer that automatically ripped all the PAF data into a MS SQL database. Post the data import, he no longer needs to renew he's licences because he is no longer using PAF data.

This may be something you could do also, buy the data one time an import it.

As for data changes, you can buy perhaps every few years e.g. 2-3 years and do a update of your existing data.

[1] Damn It! guess I was wrong, http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jan/22/postcode-petition-fails-blocked-number-ten