A system for emulating a telematics client is provided. The system includes a workstation in communication with a display screen. A software stack configured to be executed by the workstation to implement functionality for a telematics client is included. The software stack imitates a configuration of an in-vehicle telematics stack of a telematics control unit (TCU). The software stack includes a service gateway for loading an emulator. A user interface (UI) manager configured to communicate with the loaded emulator is included with the software stack. The UI manager enables a presentation of TCU user interface without accessing the TCU. Methods to emulate a user interface and loading an emulator on a workstation are also provided.