Maps and plotting data

Has anyone used any of the php mapping classes that are available? (Image_GIS etc) I would like to create dynamic maps and plot data i.e. postcodes on them like you do in applications like map-point. I am not quite sure if there is any php scripts/programs that already do this or if i have to do this myself. I can see it being very time consuming to geo-map a map image and match up all co-ordinates with postal code values! Any suggestions/experiences would be most appreciated. Thanks Ade