Photo from Phototalk

NEW ORLEANS, May 08, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — TomTom today announced that Research In Motion (RIM) is using TomTom’s award winning real-time traffic services for BlackBerry(R) applications. BlackBerry(R) Traffic is now powered by TomTom HD Traffic, giving customers access to the most accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date traffic information on the market. Additionally, TomTom maps and location content is used in BlackBerry(R) Maps, and for BlackBerry(R) Locate Services, which gives 3rd party software developers access to the mapping and traffic information for their own apps.

“Through our strategic relationship with RIM, we are enabling the future of mobile travel with powerful location content and real-time information, including HD Traffic,” said Nuno Campos, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for TomTom Licensing. “TomTom’s market-leading real-time traffic information will provide BlackBerry customers with the best mobile travel experience.”

“We’re thrilled to work with TomTom to leverage their industry-leading traffic and travel content for BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Maps, and to enable access to those capabilities for BlackBerry developers as well,” said Martyn Mallick, Vice President, Global Alliances and Business Development at Research In Motion.

According to a recent study, TomTom’s traffic information saves commuters 50 minutes of travel time per week or approximately 40 hours per year. With HD Traffic, BlackBerry customers will be able to select the best route to their destinations in an effort to not only save time but also fuel.

[News from Business Wire]

TomTom has released the latest version of its app for iPhone and iPad, which fully integrates TomTom navigation with social media applications.

Version 1.10 of the TomTom Navigation app for iOS allows the use of Facebook places and events as destinations, and the sharing of destinations and ETAs via Twitter, Facebook, email and SMS.

“Linking your GPS with your social media channels whilst on the move provides yet another way for people to connect,” said Valerie Cross, TomTom’s Asia Pacific PR manager. “For example, if you are attending an event that you’ve been invited to on Facebook, or even realise that a friend has ‘checked in’ somewhere nearby, the app will provide turn-by-turn navigation to the location.”

The update is free for existing owners

Information on Mining Safety on the iPad

CONCORD, Mass., Mar 27, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — TomTom has released an updated version of its WEBFLEET Mobile fleet management app, extending use to tablets and making fleet management more accessible for managers on the move.

WEBFLEET® Mobile gives businesses the flexibility needed to inform customers at all times and operate an efficient vehicle fleet and workforce.

New functionality allows users to view details for all current orders, manage workflow and meet service agreements. New jobs can be sent straight from the smart phone or tablet to a field workers’ TomTom PRO device, providing them with all critical information about the job. WEBFLEET Mobile displays an accurate time of arrival, which can be used to inform the customer.

“The latest version of WEBFLEET Mobile aims to make the service even more accessible for business users by using devices they already carry with them, regardless of whether they are in the office, at home or on the road,” said Thomas Schmidt, Managing Director TomTom Business Solutions.

“Tablet usage is growing rapidly, accounting for around 30 percent of non-PC internet traffic worldwide, and we realize many of our customers utilize this technology as a key business tool. Order management functionality ensures workflow is never disrupted, providing peace of mind that high standards of service and productivity will be maintained.”

WEBFLEET Mobile 1.2 also displays tracks on the map for selected trips by date and vehicle.

Available across 21 countries in North America, Europe, Australia and South Africa, the app supports seven different languages — English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish — and is available in app stores for TomTom’s 15,000 business customers.

Pricing and availability

WEBFLEET Mobile 1.2 is available for download in the Apple App Store and Android Market priced at $9.99 USD.

TomTom, a provider of GPS navigation and digital mapping, has released its latest maps for India. The company is offering a free map update service for all TomTom VIA series devices upon validation.

“With the launch of these best-in-class maps and services, TomTom continues to deliver the highest quality of products, combined with ease of use and perfect after sale experience,” said Jocelyn Vigreux, general manager and senior vice-president of TomTom India.

With the launch of this free service, these maps are updated every quarter, and put more information on a driver’s fingertips. This enables a smarter and more powerful navigational experience for them.

The company said that these maps are user friendly and easy to download from MyTomTom with no complicated file management processes involved. Furthermore, TomTom’s free software application enables customers to efficiently manage, and personalize their content and services.

The new maps contain the most up-to-date information, which includes details and street coverage of over 5,000 cities.

Jocelyn added that the updated maps ensure all TomTom users of the most accurate navigational experience in India, regardless of when they purchased the products.

Recently, TomTom announced its expansion into the Indian mobile market with the establishment of Solution Center.

TomTom’s European partner ModusLink Global Solutions is enabling the GPS provider to expand into India with the launch of its newest Solution Center in Hyderabad, India.

The Solution Center in Hyderabad marks ModusLink’s 13th location in Asia. ModusLink supports the supply chains of the leading companies at 31 Solution Centers in 15 countries.

[Info from Telecom Lead India]

Amsterdam, 20 March 2012 – Today TomTom announces a four year agreement with Waytag whereby TomTom will deliver maps and Points of Interest to power Waytag’s unique location platform. Waytag launched in 2009 with a mission to make location sharing and search simple by reducing long and complex address systems to one simple word – a !waytag. By equipping Waytag with global maps and Points of Interest, TomTom is supporting the ability to easily locate people, businesses and places around the globe.

“The location-based service industry is exploding with innovative new applications like Waytag,” said Nuno Campos, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for TomTom Licensing. “TomTom is excited to partner with a location-based services pioneer making it much easier for consumers to share and enjoy services based on their location information.”

“The TomTom mapping solution is the catalyst that has enabled a new era in location ownership, sharing and navigation. Millions of people and organisations around the world will now be able to link their address and complicated GPS co-ordinates to a simple name called a !waytag. The ability to create, control and navigate to !BobMobi across a range of devices, platforms and solutions will play a significant part in the global adoption of location aware solutions, ” said Warren Venter, Chief Executive Officer at Waytag.

A !waytag is a free and permanent location identifier that moves with an end-user wherever they are. The user creates it, names it, updates it, manages it, can delete it and chooses who to share their !waytag with. The user is always in complete control of the information associated with their !waytag. The solution can be compared with the role of a domain name system (DNS) for Internet services; the !Waytag service provides a unique and unambiguous search result of consumer and business locations which will enable and simplify a variety of location aware applications. !Waytags will revolutionize the way we will share our address or location in the future.

Also view:

What is a Waytag

TomTom has announced it has partnered with HTC to provide the maps, points of interest and turn-by-turn directions for a range of HTC smartphones in India.

This partnership marks the first consumer-focused implementation of TomTom’s map data in the rapidly growing Indian market.

ABI Research, in its 2011 study released in Q3, forecasts that more than 5.2 million smartphones will ship to India in 2012; this number is projected to more than triple by 2015.

“This is our first major partnership in India, and we look forward to providing HTC and its customers with the most comprehensive and easy to use maps and navigation services,” said Nuno Campos, vice president of Sales and Marketing for TomTom Licensing.

- AFP

TomTom has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting safety and efficiency among van fleets by launching a new partnership with the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

The link-up will see the market-leading supplier of fleet management systems provide their support for the FTA’s Van Excellence programme, which aims to promote best practice through self-regulation.

TomTom and its network of fleet consultant resellers will promote best practice in van fleets across the UK and Ireland. The local representatives will use the FTA’s best practice guides to help van managers strive towards Van Excellence, using TomTom’s technology to underpin efforts to achieve this status.

“We are delighted to join forces with the FTA, as the Van Excellence programme represents a significant move to raise standards throughout the industry,” said Giles Margerison, Director UK & Ireland TomTom Business Solutions.

“The programme offers an ideal fit with TomTom Business Solution’s own values in promoting greener, safer, more efficient drivers. Self-regulation is important in ensuring high levels of operational best practice and our technology can help to provide the framework companies need to maintain those standards.”

More than 40 organisations have already signed up for Van Excellence and members will be accredited through a robust auditing process. The programme is designed to improve safety and efficiency among van drivers, and help to scrap the outdated ‘white van man’ image.

“With its unswerving commitment to safety and efficiency, TomTom is an ideal partner for Van Excellence and its partnership further affirmation that an appetite to raise standards in the van sector is growing,” said Mark Cartwright; Head of Vans and LCV’s at FTA.

“This latest heavyweight backing further endorses the aims and credibility of Van Excellence and we look forward to exploiting the obvious synergies that TomTom shares with Van Excellence and its members.”

TomTom has demonstrated its commitment to best practice among van fleets by helping thousands of companies to reduce costs, while improving efficiency and safety.

Telent, the UK rail’s leading technology services provider, recently revealed that it had slashed response times by 80 per cent and improved their commitment to duty of care obligations after introducing a TomTom system across 91 vans.

Lee Clinton, Installations and Commissioning Manager at Telent, said: “Our drivers were working over their maximum hours more often than we had thought – with TomTom we are now able to monitor this and plan resources more effectively, this helps toward our working time and duty of care obligations.”

[Info from HGVIreland.com]

Amsterdam, 08 February 2012 – TomTom has made a landmark move into the insurance market by providing the technology behind a new insurance product, which bases premiums on driving behaviour.

TomTom has teamed up with insurance broker Motaquote for the launch of Fair Pay Insurance – a product that rewards ‘good’ drivers with lower premiums.

“Our entry in the insurance market with our proven fleet management technology puts us at the forefront of a move that could help to revolutionise the motor insurance industry,” said Thomas Schmidt, Managing Director TomTom Business Solutions.

“We offer a unique combination of navigation, traffic information and telematics which opens up great opportunities for insurance companies to promote greener, safer driving and create a ground breaking portfolio of new insurance products.”

“We are delighted Motaquote have recognised this potential in the launch of such an innovative product.”

Fair Pay Insurance gives drivers control over their own policy by using driving ability and behaviour to allocate premiums, rather than so-called risk factors such as postcode, gender, and age or vehicle type.

“We’ve dispensed with generalisations and said to our customers, if you believe you’re a good driver, we’ll believe you and we’ll even give you the benefit up front,” said Nigel Lombard, Managing Director of Fair Pay Insurance.

“This is unlike some other telematics-based schemes where you may have to prove your ability over a number of months. So if you think of your insurance as your car’s MPG – the better you drive, the longer your fuel will last. It’s the same with Fair Pay Insurance, good drivers get more for their money and in that sense they will pay ultimately less.”

Drivers who sign up for Fair Pay will benefit from a specially-developed TomTom PRO 3100 navigation device, which includes Active Driver Feedback and LIVE Services. This means policy-holders can be alerted to driving events, such as harsh cornering and sharp breaking, and benefit from accurate traffic information updated every two minutes.

They will also have a LINK tracking unit fitted in their vehicles, allowing driver behaviour and habits to be monitored. This information can then be viewed by the policy-holder in their driver dashboard, an online tool that details journey and driver behaviour data, and in regular email bulletins.

At the end of the year 1.5 million people around the globe were actively using TomTom LIVE Services, including TomTom HD Traffic. Coming from 690,000 at the start of the year, TomTom continues to see growth in the use of its traffic information.

Currently, over 90% of TomTom’s automotive systems and 20% of TomTom’s Portable Navigation Devices sold in Europe come equipped with LIVE Services.

The quality of traffic services further improved this year. TomTom HD Traffic now provides highly accurate traffic information of the whole road network including exit roads, slip roads and minor roads, which are not covered by competing technologies. Over 80 million people share anonymous location data with TomTom, ensuring HD Traffic provides its community with the best traffic information every other minute.

[Info from GeoConnexion]

Also view:

HD Traffic around the World

What is HD Traffic and how can it help me to avoid accident claims?

For Live Traffic on your Route view the TomTom Route Planner

For Route Planning and Weather on your Route : Mapservice

Also view on the Arrive Alive road safety website:

Road Safety Tips for the Festive Season

TomTom passed another milestone by providing its award-winning fleet management system to 15,000 customers actively managing over 175,000 vehicles. This represents a 30% growth rate year on year in the number of fleet vehicles managed using TomTom’s WEBFLEET(R) fleet management system. As a result of TomTom’s organic growth strategy, WEBFLEET remains the largest single-platform, legacy-free fleet management system in Europe.

The continued growth reflects the on-going development of a worldwide local partner network to sell and support TomTom’s advanced business systems.

“TomTom has cemented its leading position in the industry by offering consistently outstanding products and support, delivered by an ever-growing network of local reseller partners across 22 countries,” said Thomas Schmidt, Managing Director TomTom Business Solutions.

To support this growth TomTom has recently expanded the capacity of its WEBFLEET(R) fleet management software platform, setting new industry standards for security, availability and performance.

“Our thriving partner network, aligned with our advanced technology and future-proofed IT infrastructure, helps customers realise daily global savings of more than EUR1.5 million. Our organisation continuously raises the bar for levels of professionalism and customer care,” added Thomas.

TomTom’s Gold Partner, Schrader & Trojan, celebrated the activation of the 175,000 vehicle with customer Stolting Service Group who decided to extend the use of TomTom fleet management within their service fleet.

About TomTom

TomTom is a global supplier of location and navigation products and services. We provide consumers and enterprise, government and automotive industry customers with digital maps, traffic intelligence, navigation software, PNDs, automotive systems, fleet management services, smartphone apps, fitness devices, POIs and speedcam intelligence.

Headquartered in Amsterdam, TomTom has over 3,500 employees and operates from 50 locations in 35 countries.

TomTom (aex:TOM2) is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.tomtom.com . For the most up-to-date route planner, including live traffic information please visit www.tomtom.com/livetraffic

About TomTom Business Solutions

TomTom Business Solutions is a leading provider of fleet management solutions and recognised as the fastest growing Telematics Service Provider (TSP) for commercial fleets in Europe. TomTom Business Solutions is fully dedicated to commercial vehicle fleets and has been operating under the TomTom WORK brand in the past 5 years.

WORKsmart(TM) is TomTom’s ready to use fleet management solution and an innovative way for improving the management of all types of commercial fleets. It offers customers a choice of industry leading solutions combined with a high professional service quality. At the heart of the solution is TomTom WEBFLEET(R).

For further information, please visit www.tomtom.com/business

[Info from Marketwatch.com]