In November 2007, Nav N Go, the navigation software developer company, acquired Top-Map Kft, the creators of a digital map of Hungary for several navigation solutions. The acquisition even provides Nav N Go with the potential to create its own line of maps.
Nav N Go has been working closely with Top-Map, which has contributed to its success. Top-Map created a digital map of Hungary, used in the iGO My Way software, with unprecedented detail and precision, which took the Hungarian market by storm in 2005. Subsequently, they joined the integration project for the Eastern European maps that are used by Nav N Go, adapting the digital maps for GPS navigation. In addition, Top-Map does more than just making maps. It also produces databases such as POI and 3D data. As the main aim of Nav N Go is to integrate these add-ons into its software solutions, the need for Top-Map in the preparation of its databases is clear. Encouraged by the close collaboration, Nav N Go purchased Top-Map, which will continue to operate unchanged, within the Nav N Go family.
“In addition to the Hungarian database, Top-Map has developed map making and surveying technology in recent years which can be used more effectively than before. We felt the need to pass it on to those countries where map development is very basic, if present at all. For example, good quality digital maps can now be obtained in the Ukraine, Romania or Bulgaria. In addition, we consider it a challenge to open up to content such as 3D scenery which in the long term might mean success for us, as well as Nav N Go. Even so, Top-Map will continue to operate as an independent company and service our present partners” – says Vera Siegler, Managing Director of Top-Map Kft.
Another ofNav N Go’s primary aims is for all maps to be up to date, and therefore close attention will be paid to regular map releases. Plans are also in place to extend the online map error reporting services, successfully operating in Hungary, to other countries, enabling more users to benefit from their own contributions.
“Tele Atlas will continue to be a strategic partner of Nav N Go, and with Top-Map we will have a better overview of digital map making methods, making our partnership even stronger. In fact, we license Western Europe and other maps from them, but in other markets, such as Eastern Europe, we will continue to be independent. We are in contact with nearly fifteen local companies, from whom we license maps, and Top-Map will prepare them for integration. In this way, we will ensure that our map coverage in the region is unprecedented, even in countries where no satellite navigation was previously operating. The same could easily take place in other regions as well: such as South America, the Pacific Ocean or Asia. On one hand, Top-Map is the key for us in preserving the unprecedented coverage and high quality of our maps, and on the other it will ensure that we continue to develop towards the integration of other types of content” – says Attila Kátai, Chief Content Officer of Nav N Go.
