In late June NAVTEQ announced its Utility Street Data Enterprise License Agreement (ELA), an enhancement to the recently launched ESRI Small Utilities ELA via a press release. We queried the company about some of the details.
Directions Magazine (DM) : Our understanding is that if a utility qualifies for ESRI's Small Utility ELA, then it is qualified for the NAVTEQ one. Is that right?
NAVTEQ: Yes. If a utility qualifies for the ESRI Small Utility ELA, it is automatically eligible for NAVTEQ's Utility Street Data enhancement offering. This is available to U.S. utilities with 100,000 meters or fewer.
DM: How many U.S. utilities fall into the category of "100,000 meters/connections or fewer?"
NAVTEQ: There are approximately 3,800 U.S. utilities that have 100,000 meters or fewer. More specifically, there are:
NAVTEQ: Each utility that signs up for the Small Utility Enterprise License Agreement will receive the geography for its business area. This could be a county, state or region.
NAVTEQ's Utility Data Licensing option covers all of the U.S. With access to NAVTEQ's continuously updated U.S. map data, qualifying ELA utilities will have the location information needed to rapidly expand their in-house capabilities. This includes streamlining asset management, improving business operations, increasing service delivery and advancing customer satisfaction.
DM: What does "regularly updated" mean for ELA utility customers?
NAVTEQ: NAVTEQ continuously updates its map data to help ensure the highest quality map data possible. We make every effort to keep the map fresh and consistent with the real world.
NAVTEQ provides this newly updated data to our customers on a quarterly basis. With each quarterly map release, NAVTEQ provides its customers with an updated version of the entire dataset. Utilities under the ELA program would be eligible for the same data package. This information is critical for organizations and companies, such as utilities, whose business operations depend on accurate location data. Having up-to-date map data is vital for utilities to achieve reliable service, which can help maintain an existing client base as well as create new business opportunities.
DM: How are the data delivered? Updated?
NAVTEQ: NAVTEQ delivers its data to our customers in a number of ways depending on their needs. For our Enterprise Customers, NAVTEQ's map data is typically made available to an organization or company via NAVTEQ's Electronic Data Delivery (EDD) system, which provides the freshest map release.
In terms of how we update the map, NAVTEQ has a well defined build and maintenance process - a process for which we have gained global recognition. Our global network of geographic analysts play a critical role in maintaining an accurate map. NAVTEQ geographic analysts are strategically located in 39 countries across the globe and "own" their piece of the map. We rely on their local expertise for change detection and overall insight for what needs updating. In addition to local knowledge, NAVTEQ's customized tools and proprietary technology used in the field enable efficient data collection. Because each and every tool and process used in the field are identical across NAVTEQ's expansive network of field offices, the company can process large volumes of data quickly, which is another factor that helps keep the map fresh.
DM: The release quotes Utilities Industry Director Bill Meehan as saying that in the past access to this data may have been cost prohibitive. While you can't quote prices, what sort of percentage drop might we be talking about?
NAVTEQ: Without the ELA program, there are many variables in determining price. These include the geographic extent of the data, the update frequency, etc. NAVTEQ and ESRI have designed the ELA to provide the best value for a utility when taking into consideration all costs.
Ed. note: The NAVTEQ/ESRI ELA for small governments was the subject of a recent Directions Media Webinar, which is available for view.
Directions Magazine (DM) : Our understanding is that if a utility qualifies for ESRI's Small Utility ELA, then it is qualified for the NAVTEQ one. Is that right?
NAVTEQ: Yes. If a utility qualifies for the ESRI Small Utility ELA, it is automatically eligible for NAVTEQ's Utility Street Data enhancement offering. This is available to U.S. utilities with 100,000 meters or fewer.
DM: How many U.S. utilities fall into the category of "100,000 meters/connections or fewer?"
NAVTEQ: There are approximately 3,800 U.S. utilities that have 100,000 meters or fewer. More specifically, there are:
- 945 coops (i.e. cooperatives such as Electric Cooperatives)
- 2,100 municipal utilities
- 670 public gas utilities
- 30 investor-owned utilities (IOUs)
NAVTEQ: Each utility that signs up for the Small Utility Enterprise License Agreement will receive the geography for its business area. This could be a county, state or region.
NAVTEQ's Utility Data Licensing option covers all of the U.S. With access to NAVTEQ's continuously updated U.S. map data, qualifying ELA utilities will have the location information needed to rapidly expand their in-house capabilities. This includes streamlining asset management, improving business operations, increasing service delivery and advancing customer satisfaction.
DM: What does "regularly updated" mean for ELA utility customers?
NAVTEQ: NAVTEQ continuously updates its map data to help ensure the highest quality map data possible. We make every effort to keep the map fresh and consistent with the real world.
NAVTEQ provides this newly updated data to our customers on a quarterly basis. With each quarterly map release, NAVTEQ provides its customers with an updated version of the entire dataset. Utilities under the ELA program would be eligible for the same data package. This information is critical for organizations and companies, such as utilities, whose business operations depend on accurate location data. Having up-to-date map data is vital for utilities to achieve reliable service, which can help maintain an existing client base as well as create new business opportunities.
DM: How are the data delivered? Updated?
NAVTEQ: NAVTEQ delivers its data to our customers in a number of ways depending on their needs. For our Enterprise Customers, NAVTEQ's map data is typically made available to an organization or company via NAVTEQ's Electronic Data Delivery (EDD) system, which provides the freshest map release.
In terms of how we update the map, NAVTEQ has a well defined build and maintenance process - a process for which we have gained global recognition. Our global network of geographic analysts play a critical role in maintaining an accurate map. NAVTEQ geographic analysts are strategically located in 39 countries across the globe and "own" their piece of the map. We rely on their local expertise for change detection and overall insight for what needs updating. In addition to local knowledge, NAVTEQ's customized tools and proprietary technology used in the field enable efficient data collection. Because each and every tool and process used in the field are identical across NAVTEQ's expansive network of field offices, the company can process large volumes of data quickly, which is another factor that helps keep the map fresh.
DM: The release quotes Utilities Industry Director Bill Meehan as saying that in the past access to this data may have been cost prohibitive. While you can't quote prices, what sort of percentage drop might we be talking about?
NAVTEQ: Without the ELA program, there are many variables in determining price. These include the geographic extent of the data, the update frequency, etc. NAVTEQ and ESRI have designed the ELA to provide the best value for a utility when taking into consideration all costs.
Ed. note: The NAVTEQ/ESRI ELA for small governments was the subject of a recent Directions Media Webinar, which is available for view.
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