Integrated Navigation and Fuel Costs Reductions

INTEGRATED NAVIGATION BUSINESS INITIATIVE WITH LANDMARK STUDYThe concept of Integrated Navigation entails âconnectingâ an in-vehicle navigation solution with enterprise IT systems with navigation functionality to improve communication and operational efficiency. Examples include fleet dispatching systems, field force optimisation solutions and CRM (Customer Relationship Management). Two-way information flow from the enterprise to the mobile environment improves information sharing, reduces job allocation errors, lowers communication costs between fleet and dispatcher, and improves man-machine interface safety. To determine the benefits and the market potential of integrated navigation solutions for the distribution and service industries, NAVTEQ conducted an analysis with Frost & Sullivan. âNAVTEQ has a unique view of the enterprise industry given our interactions across verticals,â shared Eric Fumat, Enterprise Europe Vice President and General Manager for NAVTEQ. âWe saw an opportunity to facilitate the development of enterprise solutions that really meet the needs of end users. NAVTEQâs study spotlighted the benefits of integrating satellite navigation solutions with enterprise IT systems - enabling, for instance, field workers to receive details of their next job directly through their navigation system which then guides them to the job address. We see many opportunities like this that will provide business efficiencies and improve the end user experience.â The research included face to face interviews with leading companies in both the distribution and service industries which have been able to leverage return on investment (ROI) through integrated navigation. The findings reflected clear differences between the two industries in the perception, use and benefits of the integrated navigation concept. Overall, the results were extremely positive, highlighting many potential business benefits and a progressive level of return - supporting NAVTEQâs belief in the concept. Key Benefits included:⢠18% reduction in driver hours⢠15% fuel saving⢠11% reduction in driving distance⢠reduced downtime for breakdowns⢠increased productivity⢠improved customer satisfaction⢠up to 40% savings on communications costs In addition to direct cost savings and operational efficiency improvements, it seems returns from increased revenue generation had previously been underestimated. The study showed repeat business in the service industry could increase by as much as 10% as a result of more punctual arrivals and the subsequent increase in customer satisfaction. Fleet operators in the distribution industry could, for example, increase their customer base by up to 30%. In time, staff turnover could also be reduced and driver training may, in some cases, be cut by as much as a month. Above all, the study highlighted the implementation of integrated navigation solutions can provide real value to the enterprise industry. âAlthough the first pioneering companies introduced integrated navigation in the late 90âs, the technology â including wireless communication â has since become more widespread and accessible in priceâ added Eric Fumat. âConsequently, we believe the time is right for mass adoption in the enterprise, particularly as our research found that assimilating integrated navigation into existing structures and processes is a relatively straightforward task. â Participating fleet operators are continuing to roll out their strategies across entire fleets and this is the best possible testimony to the success of these existing integrated navigation solutions. NAVTEQâs Enterprise Europe Business Unit will be working with various companies in the enterprise sector to promote the Integrated Navigation concept and highlights of the research to demonstrate that the successful implementation of integrated navigation into mobile enterprise applications can provide direct cost savings, improvements to operational efficiency and a significant increase in revenue generation. For more information on this study and its methodology, please contact Benoit Vaille, Marketing Manager, Enterprise Europe at [email protected] A CHANGING WORLD â THE VALUE OF DIGITAL MAPSAccurate and affordable in-car satellite navigation â who would have believed it ten short years ago? The reality has undoubtedly exceeded all expectations with sophisticated systems guiding drivers smoothly and efficiently all over the world. Simply key in a few details and a friendly voice gives you step by step directions including which way to turn at every junction and roundabout until finally announcing you have reached your destination. Surprisingly, this impressive technology all starts with a very human touch. Digital map manufacturer, NAVTEQ has a database covering over twenty million kilometres of road in 69 countries â a huge task handled by individuals at a local level. The company has over 700 geographic analysts constantly driving the roads updating a range of details from new housing estates to petrol stations - plus all the latest information on traffic flow changes. Each team of analysts manages its own geographic area handling the entire process from start to finish. This means consistency, continuity and a quicker update process. They travel in pairs with a GPS receiver accurate to one metre attached to the roof of the car. This is connected to a laptop computer using special software to help them check the accuracy of current maps or create new ones. The non-driver constantly talks to the laptop via a headset noting all the changes as they travel the roads. Developed specially for the job, the software enables field researchers to download sections of the live database to a laptop for updating on the road. Although no individual piece of technology used in creating the software is in itself revolutionary, clever integration has produced a highly efficient âtool kitâ which is a significant milestone in the history of map data collection. Changes to the maps are made in three different ways. For standard features â such as one way streets - there is a range of icons which can be dropped straight on to the image. Pen tablets for hand written annotations have also been incorporated into the hardware. Voice notes are particularly useful in complicated situations. A sound file describes what can be seen on the road and an icon drops on to the screen showing the exact position using DGPS. The teams also have video cameras which capture the entire route as it is driven. But why is it necessary to spend so much time on the road? Time is spent in the office researching details of road changes provided by local councils, building developers and public notices. However, all this information is field surveyed to ensure the change has definitely taken place; it has been correctly understood; and to observe it from a navigational point of view. Digital maps are essentially different to conventional paper maps which are viewed from an aerial perspective. For navigation, the horizontal view is needed â in other words, the view through the driverâs eyes. By checking what it will look like to the driver, it can be established whether the instruction needs to be turn left, keep left, fork left â or maybe nothing if it is obvious where the road carries on. Back in the office, the laptop is simply plugged in and linked to the main database ready for the new information to be coded and sent back to the mainframe. Quality control is, of course, paramount and a series of on-going checks culminate in hundreds of software reports which test the new data. Only at this stage is it merged with any existing data and then it is tested all over againâ¦CONCLUSIONNAVTEQ Launches \"NAVTEQ Transport\" in the UKa specialised Map Data Enables Routing for Fleet Management & Large VehiclesNAVTEQ (NYSE: NVT), a leading global provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, has launched NAVTEQ Transport in the UK. It features specific information to support more informed routing decisions in the transportation industry.See the rest of this news on our News Section:

Author: Peter Beaumont, [email protected]

Bio.: NAVTEQ Customer Marketing Director www.navteq.com

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