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SpatialNews.com Press Release
Siemens VDO Adds Shopping Guide to Satellite Navigation Systems
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Siemens VDO Trading GmbH has launched Shopping Guide Light - a points of interest (POI) directory - across its range of automotive satellite navigation systems.
The POIs will be supplied by MI International, the provider of the largest and most comprehensive single source of POIs and business data in Europe.
Shopping Guide Light is a condensed guide for drivers and includes shopping centres, supermarkets, department stores, auto supply shops, car rental, vehicle servicing and fast food restaurants for European countries including Austria, Benelux, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.
The agreement is an extension of the existing relationship between the two leaders in their field. Under the terms of the original contract, MI supplied POI content for the C-IQ - the Intelligent Content on Demand portfolio for Siemens VDO’s aftermarket satellite navigation products. These products were available as packages for drivers to purchase in addition to their retrofit satellite navigation system.
The extension of the agreement now ensures that Siemens VDO will continue to offer comprehensive POI products within the C-IQ portfolio covering shopping, eating & drinking, hotels, sports & leisure activities, tourism and business. However, Siemens VDO will also expand its content offering with Shopping Guide Light as an additional POI product to be made available when requested by OEM or aftermarket customers.
MI International will continue to supply Siemens VDO with regular updates to keep the directory up-to-date and relevant.
“Our remit is to make the driver’s experience as enjoyable as possible. Providing a POI directory as part of our satnav systems is just one way we can achieve this,” said Theo Drijfhout, vice-president, new media, Siemens VDO service and special solutions. “Drivers can quickly and easily search the onboard directory for a POI near their current or specified location, then drive there directed by the navigation system. We believe that POI packages will not only add value for the customer, but once they have experienced the convenience of using POIs, they will want to buy more specialised, in-depth products tailored to their needs. Of course, while it sounds simple in theory, we know that if this is to be a success, we have to have absolute faith in the integrity of the data – hence our decision to go with MI.”
“The automotive industry is fiercely competitive and innovations such as satellite navigation systems are just one differentiator,” added Dominic Tonner, CEO, MI International. “But even then there is no room for complacency. The satnav market has moved on in leaps and bounds since its inception. Today’s driver expects – and quite rightly – a sophisticated solution that is not only accurate but also flexible and intelligent enough to move and adapt to their needs.”
About MI International
MI International provides the largest and most comprehensive single source of POI data. It is unique in aggregating data from the most up-to-date and reliable sources all over the world to create the most complete, accurate and up-to-date POI database available.. From this database, MI is able to provide bespoke data solutions to fit a broad variety of commercial applications, particularly for satellite navigation and other mobile applications, DQ/DA and off- and online directories. In addition, MI International is constantly seeking data for new categories and territories, including Eastern Europe, North America and Australasia in order to provide even greater scope for its customers.
Visit www.mi-int.com for more information about MI International.
About Siemens VDO
Siemens VDO Automotive is one of the world’s leading suppliers of electronics, electrics and mechatronics to the automotive industry. In the 2004 business year (30.9), Siemens VDO Automotive generated sales of EUR 9 billion with 43,000 employees. The service and trading activities, the special original equipment manufacturing as well as all content software business for navigation systems are bundled within Siemens VDO Trading GmbH. With the VDO, VDO Dayton and Siemens VDO product brands, the company’s portfolio ranges from car navigation, car multimedia and sophisticated car audio sytems to telematics solutions for private, commercial and public vehicle fleets. Industrial and marine products for original equipment manufacturers with low volumes or special requirements, genuine brand replacement parts and spare part service for end of production vehicles complete the product portfolio. Siemens VDO Trading is one of the leading service and trading companies in the automotive market. With 2,600 employees, the business unit runs separate production and development locations and is present in 80 countries and all relevant distribution channels.
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