Siemens VDO awards satnav data contract to MI International

MI International, a leading supplier of data and location-based services, has won a contract over three years to supply a bespoke European points of interest (POI) and business directory to Siemens VDO Trading GmbH for use in the company's automotive satellite navigation systems.

Siemens VDO's new software product for VDO Dayton navigation systems for retrofitting will enable drivers to search the directory for a business or service near to the current location of their vehicle or their destination, and then drive to it guided by the navigation system. The business listings and shops provided by MI will be available as standalone products or as part of the business and lifestyle packages.

Dominic Tonner, MI International's chief executive, said: "There is increasing demand for POI and business directories to be available as part of satellite navigation systems, whether these are in-car, via mobile phone, PDA or other portable devices. This contract reinforces MI International's position as a leading supplier of POI and business directory solutions to this expanding industry. Our database of more than 20 million European records, all in the local language, is unique and, through a programme of continual improvement to add more records and extend its geographical coverage, we will maintain our position as the number one supplier in this exciting market."

Henning Wiefelspuetz, Director Sales & Marketing at Siemens VDO New Media , commented: "MI International was able to provide fresh and complete data and has produced an excellent solution against demanding deadlines."

Under the contract MI International will aggregate data from a number of the leading European sources to develop the most comprehensive POI and business directory available for VDO Dayton navigation systems to include within its C-IQ - intelligent content on demand - navigation concept. The data will be enhanced by MI International's own assets and will provide a directory database of POI, branch offices, retail and factory site detail in European countries including Austria, Benelux, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

MI International will supply directory updates at least once per year which Siemens VDO will pass on to its customers.