Post Codes

[lostcarpark]

In Ireland we've been waiting for a post code system for many years. There really is no excuse for it any more. The lack of one has long caused problems for anyone trying to fill out forms on the web. It also makes it much more difficult to use things like GPS systems here. This problem is compounded by the fact that 40% of addresses in Ireland are not unique.

Another problem affects anyone trying to ship goods in Ireland, as my sister and I found developing the Brenda's Pets web site. We want to offer free shopping to customers within 10 miles of her shop. With a post system, it would be a fairly easy matter to set up a range of postal codes that qualify.

An Post, the incumbent postal service provider, long claimed they don't need one. This is, of course, because they have developed a computerised address finding system that doesn't use post codes, and introducing a system would wipe out their advantage.

After a lot of badgering, An Post came up with a post code system, based on longitude and latitude. The problem with this approach was that it produced rather long codes, and the whole thing was quietly dropped.

So now a private company have produced their own postal code system for Ireland, although I'm not sure about the name they've given them - "PONC Codes".

Comments

[davesangel.livejournal.com]

I think it's great news that they've come up with a postal code system AT LAST (although the name is a bit pants) - it's so difficult to get in touch with anyone down there. The address for about half the town is the same street - I had no idea what any of the other street names were until I checked the PONC site, they aren't even signposted down there. So fingers crossed that this makes everything a lot easier for everyone.

[wyvernfriend.livejournal.com]

isn't ponc one of the irish words for point?

Irish Post Codes and PON Codes or PONC

[(Anonymous)]

Great to hear that pepople are getting value from PON (Position Orientated Navigation) Codes or PONC (pronounced "Punk" for short - from the Irish Word Ponc meaning point).

These Codes are gathering popularity having only been around since 16th July 2008 and put in place as there is no national system and plans for one have been put on the long finger - probably until sometime in 2010. PON Codes are immediately useable and for those in business - the full code calculations etc can be used under a cost free license on any website to support easier deliveries or location identication. Just contact info@irishpostcodes.ie for futher info. Anyone, anywhere on the island of Ireland can get their PON Code at http://www.irishpostcodes.ie and if you want you can try navigation using PON Codes on Garmin SatNav's. You can download the firmware for the Garmin Nuvi 700 series from http://www.irishpostcodes.ie/downloads.php or make contact to organise a Garmin SatNav to be sent to you on free trial.

PON Codes may become the National System when one is finally chosen in 2010 - for this reason all feedback is encouraged can be submitted at http://www.irishpostcodes.ie/feedback.php

If you need any questions answered on PON Codes just contact their developer Gary Delaney at gary@gpsireland.ie

[dubnordie.livejournal.com]

Being a Brit in Dublin, working for a Scottish owned, English Registered Bank whilst upgrading their Mortgage system, I spent many an hour trying to teach the Irish-raised programmers and testers about the formatting of English postcodes (it's a bit difficult to get past page 1 of a Mortgage Entry form if you think "9" is a valid English Postcode). They were fascinated with the concept that you could determine a place down to 5 houses (depending on the length of the street etc) on one side of the road by the postcode, and that in theory, you could simply write #6 B7 5US on a letter and it be able to get to the right house. Wot Larks!