New Admin System

You will all now be aware that we have installed a new administration system and that your payment sheets are somewhat different. We have out-sourced the printing of members statements and also the printing of clients invoices which will mean a considerable saving to DaC in terms of time and money. Under the old system, the clients invoices were printed at Brunswick House, then the large old fashioned invoices - up to 4500 per month running to thousands more pages - had to be enveloped and posted to clients. Sometimes invoices were still being sent out ten days after they were printed - obviously not a very satisfactory state of affairs. With the new procedure, the details of the clients invoice is downloaded via an ISDN line to the printers where the invoices are automatically printed, enveloped and despatched in one quick easy operation.
   The same system operates regarding driver payments, except that the electronic transfer of funds into your accounts and the printing of any cheques are still done at Brunswick House and will continue to be so. The new system has been a major project to implement, but it will give DaC tremendous flexibility regarding charges and management reports that we receive. The changeover process has gone reasonably smoothly with only minor glitches, but please be patient should any arise in the near future - we will resolve them as quickly as we possibly can. You

must liken the new Admin system to buying a new cab, undoubtedly, there will be teething problems.
   Where DaC goes others seem to follow and I am now taking bets on which radio circuit either re-equips with a new Admin system or has their billing and driver payments produced outhouse - any takers?

Finance Manager

Speaking of following DaC, I see that some months ago Computer Cab employed a CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and in the last few weeks Radio Taxis(Mountview) have done the same. As you know, DaC employed their Finance Manager some two and a half years ago with a view to making the company more professional and I believe the appointment has helped DaC to become the most financially secure of all the radio circuits in London.
   I believe that the appointment at Mountview was prompted by their latest

set of accounts. Although they are not yet in the public domain, I can guess that their figures this year will be somewhat worrying to their financial advisers and the new man has been installed to try to stem the tide. When the Board obtained your approval for the Finance Manager, we also requested a General Manager. The second suggestion was later shelved as we felt that it was not yet prudent to instigate too many changes at once. Now that the position of Finance Manager has settled down and proven its worth, perhaps the time is now right to install a General Manager if we are to continue with our undeniable progress and change of image.
   We must all recognise that DaC turned over £31,000,000 last year and that the way in which we administer the business will have to change. This could be with a non-executive elected Board to set the policy and possibly four executives employed by DaC to carry out those policies on a day- to-day basis which would help to give us the continuity that we need in order that this company can continue to flourish in the future.

Litigation

David Clegg has decided to drop the litigation against myself, the rest of the Board and the Editor of Call Sign, Alan Fisher. The following statement should clear up any queries.  

Brian Rice