NAVTEQ Business Support Services

For over 20 years, NAVTEQ has helped leading companies develop and launch location-aware products and services, such as in-dash navigation systems, portable navigation devices (PNDs), and wireless location-based services for consumers, businesses, and government entities. Whether the need is a full turnkey solution or assistance filling in specific skill set gaps, North American- and European-based Sales and Customer Program Management (CPM) teams provide technical and business insight, support services, and expertise in six areas:

• Business Development Support
• Navigation Advisory Services
• Product Development Support
• Testing Services
• Channel Development Services
• End User Services

Business Development Support

NAVTEQ occupies a unique position in location-enabled services because its digital map is used extensively throughout every major market segment. In addition, its market development success with thought-leading programs, such as the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge^®, continues to attract global interest and participation from across the location services value chain, from innovative developers and venture capitalists to major wireless carriers and device manufacturers. As a result, NAVTEQ understands the business rules of engagement, the types of solutions with the greatest market impact, and the forces driving purchase and acquisition decisions. The company also has a large number of value chain relationships that developers can leverage as part of the NAVTEQ community.

Business development services include:

• Business development/go-to-market strategy advice
• Strategic partnership alliances
• Introductions to carriers, handset manufacturers, technology partners, funding sources

Contact the experienced NAVTEQ business development team to discuss any of the above services or a special need not addressed here.  

Navigation Advisory Services

NAVTEQ provides a range of advisory services on a consulting basis for new and existing customers. The company's approach leverages access to key location services knowledge sources and experience, as well as business and technology best practices. These services reduce time to market and facilitate access to key decision makers in potential "buyer" or influencer organizations. Key services include:

• Consulting on alternative NAVTEQ^® map data formats
• Providing expert support, independent counsel, and analytical rigor for RFPs
• Designing and managing navigation training workshops
• Recommending potential third parties to backfill specific skill gaps

Product Development Support

NAVTEQ assists customers in the development of location-enabled services offerings through product development support. Experienced NAVTEQ project managers deliver unique services based upon customer requirements and utilize third-party vendors to provide key pieces of the solution (e.g., software developers) with approval of the customer. These services provide short-term access to experts during key parts of the development cycle, reduce the internal management overhead associated with development, and lower the cost of product development. Key services include:

• Full tier one management of product launches, supplying turnkey service support for delivery of location-enabled products and services
• Outsourced project and vendor management
• Ongoing product roadmap management to support multiyear development needs
• Consulting and advisory services for navigation application software
• User interface design and translation assistance

Testing Services

Testing services provide independent analysis of location-enabled services during development and before and after launch. Experienced product testers, distributed globally, use consistent and repeatable procedures to execute bench and drive testing in client-desired locations to assess readiness for launch, and highlight key areas for improvement. These services shorten the testing process while ensuring high-quality, actionable test results. Specific services include:

• Bench/laboratory and drive testing
• Performance benchmarking of navigation systems
• Continental and regional user interface nuances assessment
• Performance testing of wireless carrier location-enabled applications in and out of cellular coverage zones and through roaming areas
• Checking of the acceptability of translated guidance instructions for product launches in international markets

Channel Development Services

Channel development services are designed to stimulate PND category development in major brick-and-mortar retailers and to assist PND penetration into strategic sales channels. This assistance includes providing customers with a dedicated category sales resource, expert navigation market support, and access to potential buyers. Specific services include:

• Designing and installing dedicated portable navigation category merchandising units
• Proposing products for merchandising in new displays
• Designing marketing materials and training programs
• Leveraging the NAVTEQ automotive team to create and develop alternative distribution channels where applicable
• Providing point-of-sale and demonstration equipment to retail buyers

End User Services

End user services provide Web- and phone-based services for end users of NAVTEQ customer products and services. These services enable fast setup and development of dedicated, customer-branded contact and fulfillment centers. This support allows NAVTEQ customers to achieve economies of scale with minimal additional burden. All centers are ISO-certified. Specific services include:

• Providing fulfillment services for map updates
• Hosting OEM-branded Web stores for sales and fulfillment of supplemental map update media where required
• Designing and managing OEM-branded call centers for system inquiries
• Hosting OEM-branded online Database Update Request service
• Providing outsourced online activation service of portable navigation systems for OEM customers

For additional information on Navigation Advisory Services, Product Development Support, Testing Services, Channel Development Services, or End User Services, please contact NAVTEQ.