CHICAGO, Sept. 16 , 2008 – NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital map data for location-based solutions and vehicle navigation, announced that as of today, more than 200 global brands in categories such as banks, coffee shops, fuel stations, grocery stores, hotels, pharmacies, restaurants and other retailers now participate in NAVTEQ Direct Access™.

This innovative program helps merchants make sure that their locations are properly positioned on the industry-leading NAVTEQ® Map, via POI (point of interest) verification and a suite of web-based POI management tools.  NAVTEQ Direct Access also offers a cost-effective way to show all participating merchants’ sites - even recently opened and newly acquired locations – to interested mobile consumers.

With more than 100 million uses each day of the NAVTEQ Map, including mobile consumers formulating purchase decisions, participation in NAVTEQ Direct Access affords merchants extended distribution of accurate location data – a crucial, competitive differentiator for large, medium and small businesses around the world.  NAVTEQ Direct Access also furnishes navigation system manufacturers additional rich content, such as brand icons.  When implemented, navigation systems using brand icons would display a BP logo, for example, instead of a generic fuel station sign -- further enhancing the overall navigation experience. 

Research highlights what consumers want
According to research conducted by NAVTEQ (December 2007), more than 90 percent of GPS navigation device users prefer logo icons over generic icons on the map.  The same study also demonstrated the importance of accurate POI data: on average, navigation system users drove to businesses for which they conducted a search 67 percent of the time.  Finally, when given a choice between quality and quantity, almost nine out of 10 navigation device users in the study preferred POI accuracy to POI quantity.

Merchants recognize the value of NAVTEQ Direct Access
“One of our reasons for working with NAVTEQ was to expand the visual awareness of Hampton Hotels, using the latest technology,” commented Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president, brand management at Hampton Hotels.  “NAVTEQ gives us the unique opportunity to get our hotel brand logo on GPS systems and gives consumers access to accurate POI data for our properties.  The frequency of updates that NAVTEQ offers is key, and we can rest assured that our hotel information is updated and refreshed regularly, especially as new hotels come onboard. NAVTEQ made this process seamless.”

Large and small businesses across the world understand the value in NAVTEQ Direct Access, including MAX Hamburger Restaurants in Sweden.  “We recognized the growing importance of including our restaurant locations in navigation devices,” remarked Anders Forssten, marketing manager at MAX.  “NAVTEQ Direct Access was the best way for us to maximize our visibility.”

NAVTEQ quality
A hallmark of NAVTEQ is the quality of its map data; adhering to those same standards, NAVTEQ Direct Access merchant data is verified for accuracy.  NAVTEQ’s certification provides that the data delivered to NAVTEQ customers meets the company’s stringent standards.

About NAVTEQ
NAVTEQ is a leading provider of comprehensive digital map information for automotive navigation systems, mobile navigation devices, Internet-based mapping applications, and government and business solutions. NAVTEQ creates the digital maps and map content that power navigation and location-based services solutions around the world. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has more than 3,800 employees located in 194 offices and in 42 countries.  NAVTEQ and NAVTEQ Direct Access are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries.  All rights reserved.
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