Taxi Driver Online

Hi Folks

Ok then lets get some discussion going. What features would you like to see in a data dispatch system. Lets get a discussion going about this.

regards
RadioMan

we need to know where the vehicles are
we want GPS
We would like to know how many passengers are on board.
invoicing
we need to know how many calls are logged per hour with breakdown.
how many taxis are late
time job given to driver
time driver picked up.
time driver took to do job.
forcast on how long the job will take.
how much the driver recieved for the journey- automatically.
driver statements
calls dealtwith over timescales
we dont want radios (because the hills play havock with collecting data)
if anything goes wrong we want immediate attention
we need automatic job from computer to car.
customer ring back function


its about time we got something that could tune into the taxis management systems

how much fuel is on board,
how much oil in the sump, when it needs servicing
paRTS TO BE REPLACED
even order its own parts
book its own slot in the garage.

driver badge dates car licensing dates testing dates.

remote control function!

dream dream dreeeeaaam

and we wont believe weve got it untl Tom thumb has bought it and says its excellent!

Jesus its light years away.

A system that blanks dodgy addresses via caller ID, and just lets the cab phone number ring and ring and ring.

Stop feeding. Electrocute the operator if they do feed.
Give the driver a bath because there are some smelly ones about.

if its a multi-car booking for a large group it would be useful to know how long after the first car has turned up, the rest will follow.

Most of the stuff that Yorkie wants is here already. you just need a whizz kid on the PC to get it all working together.

Hi Yorkie

If you do not want radio, how would you like to see data transfered and would it be just data or would like voice as well?

Just interested.

That's one of the main problems of data, you can't work out when you are being conned by the operator.

On voice if you hear a car, or see a car get a job in front of you, when you are on pole, then you know you are being screwed.

On data you don't.

Best system would be one that doesn't tie you to only one technology.

One technology is radio. Radio is fine for a lot of people if you have a good coverage area from your base. Those who don't have good coverage need to invest in remote equipment on hilltops, landlines or wireless links. You basically spend the money until you have covered the area you need and then running costs are just your licence fee to Offcom (the old RA) each year.

Another technology is GPRS. GPRS is fine if you have large or unpredictable coverage area but you are in the hands of the big boys that run the networks - the people like O2 and Orange. Plenty places in Scotland or Wales will probably never get GPRS. Also, at present there is only so much capacity in the network as the network operators are still waiting for a more significant uptake on GPRS customers before they spend any more money on the network infrastructure.

I should also mention that GPRS is very good for small startup companies as they don't need to invest in radio equipment in order to get their drivers out and about.

So, look carefully for a data system supplier who can deliver a system that can use radio or GPRS. Look for a system that can decide the least cost routing for a data packet and automatically use radio or GPRS accordingly.

Even if you are only ever going to need to use only one technology or the other, it's also best to have a choice about what equipment to have in the vehicles and to not be tied to one particular datahead or PDA / Smartphone. Some drivers are less than carefull with their mobile data terminals so PDAs may not be appropriate for some but may be for others. You choose - chunky brick Mobile Data Terminals for simple messaging, plotting and accepting jobs with simple GPS reporting - or shiny precious PDAs for full voice guided navigation, colour maps and shiny buttons.

One last word about voice is that it is difficult to give it up altogether. I do know youngsters who will happily spend 1/4 hour composing a text message on their mobile phone to say something that would take 30 seconds to say! But most of our generation just isn't like that. The radio solution gives you the simplest option by selecting 'voice' on your data terminal or by changing the channel on your radio and using your mic. Unfortunately, it's a little more involved with GPRS. You would need to have a seperate voice contract with the phone network in order to have a voice alternative to the data and most PDA based GPRS systems will persuade the driver to simply have his own phone for making such calls.

There you have it, my thruppence worth.

_________________
Having a picnic

it isnt about not wanting radio in the Pennines Radio is not very good, frankly in some places 2 cans connected with string is more effective

we have moved out of the caves this year, both data and voice (which is a neusance) can be used by more modern methods using,

well if you dont know ask a 14year old.

my daughter is always using her kit!

Ivor pal,

you were given my problem to solve and you couldnt.

nor could you provide bricks.

Yorkie

As for what I would like, well a cheaper system would be nice. I'm yet to be convinced that they are value for money.

Still as those that make the decision (in 95% of the time) don't pay for it, as it's 100% paid for by the drivers, as long as it looks nice in the office they are happy.

Also the equipment looks like it was invented by cavemen. If the stuff were on open sale in Dixons or Currys, then they wouldn't sell a unit, but because mugs like me are given no choice, then the likes of Auriga wont change their designs.

As for the set up, well the bidding is the worst thing I have ever come across on a screen. It doesn't work, but they don't get rid of it. What does that say?

The screens aren't big enough, and don't allow much info to be sent. I could go on, but I'm not sure if our system has been set up badly, or it's the norm.

In short all the data companies spend far too much time in their offices and in the circuits offices, and far too little time talking to drivers.

Something they share with most councils.

_________________
IDFIMH

I would like the call back system to go direct to the customer from the driver. So the driver can speak to the customer when they are outside, or will be in a minute or two.

I expect it will cost too much, but dont most things that benefit drivers.

it costs a mobile phone call and the big two systems have it now.
if you are prepared to pay the bill of your calls auriga and mercury are the systems.

can I ask radio man are you going to build a system?

you have done it b4 havent you?