The Sample Code is Giving Strange Errors or is Crashing!

Most likely, the sample code cannot connect to Service Objects. Many environments will not allow you to connect out on port 80...

Most likely, the sample code cannot connect to Service Objects. Many environments will not allow you to connect out on port 80, or will clip out XML data from these requests/responses.

The easiest way to check for this is to open a browser on the machine running the sample code. In your browser, navigate to: https:/trial.serviceobjects.com/GCR

Then try to run one of the operations with your trial key. If you get a browser error, or get no data back, then the sample code isn't able to connect either. Contact your systems administrator to resolve why you are not able to connect to Service Objects.

DOTS Address Geocode – US says it can’t find my address!

DOTS Address Geocode – US doesn't know about every address, especially empty lots or new streets...

DOTS Address Geocode – US doesn't know about every address, especially empty lots or new streets. Often, it won't be able to find coordinates to these locations. We do our best to try to improve the data as often as possible. However, it will often be able to match a zip plus four or zip plus two. If it cannot match the exact street location, try the GetBestMatch_V4 operation to find how close it can find your data. We are constantly striving to improve our data! DOTS Address Geocode – US may not be able to find your location now, but may in the future as we improve our databases.

DOTS Address Geocode – US is giving coordinates that aren’t anywhere near my address!

If you are using the GetBestMatch_V4 operation...

If you are using the GetBestMatch_V4 operation, most likely the service is matching at Zip+4, Zip+2, or Zip level, which return an averaged centroid. The service isn't saying your address is at that location, it is saying the centroid of the zip/+4/+2 is at that location. If DOTS Address Geocode – US is giving what it says is a street-level match that doesn't look like it's at the right location plotted on a map, the issue is most often a stylistic difference between your mapping solution and our data. Because geocoding information is gathered in very different ways, your mapping solution is probably using a very different method than Service Objects does. If the location given is a street-level match, and it's very far away from the target location, please let us know at support@serviceobjects.com

No Census tract or block data was returned for a street level match.

The geocoding service makes use of multiple data sources and the census data is disparate from the coordinate datasets...

The geocoding service makes use of multiple data sources and the census data is disparate from the coordinate datasets. There is not always a one to one match for the two, so the census tract and block code will not always be available. Cases for this should be very rare overall, but it may be more noticeable for some rural areas or new developments. If you encounter this issue then please contact support@serviceobjects.com with one or more example addresses so that we can investigate.

I’m Not a Programmer. How Do I Use DOTS Address Geocode – US?

Service Objects runs batches for you! A free batch trial is available...

Service Objects runs batches for you! A free batch trial is available at https://www.serviceobjects.com/upload-center/.

References

  1. Understanding Geographic Data in DOTS Address Geocode – US
  2. Mailing Address vs Physical Address: What’s the Difference?
  3. Using Geocoding for Target Marketing
  4. Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude: Understanding Geocoding
  5. How to Identify Incorporated and Unincorporated Places in the United States