NEW TERMINALS OUT ON TEST

With the news that Dial-a-Cab were road-testing new terminals being fairly common knowledge, Call Sign asked Tom Carter from our software department to give us an update...

During the week of August 8th, Dial-a-Cab began its second trial of the new terminals. In this trial, there were 3 different terminals, one from the USA, one from Singapore (via a Canadian company) and one from England.
In general, the trial was to find which of the terminals was most reliable and performed best.
We also wanted to find which features were liked and not liked by the drivers and to find which features were missing.

It appears that we have found the terminal that we want to use and now have to work with the manufacturer to make some final modifications to we get exactly what we want.
All the terminals in the trial used the same application software and the same radio modem. The radio modem is the device that allows the terminals to communicate through the existing radio infrastructure to the Taxi Dispatching System (V6). This particular radio modem is the same one used previously and it appears that all of the problems encountered during the first trial have been corrected. The next trial, which should occur this month, will be to test another radio modem so that we can have

a choice.
I personally appreciate the co-operation and enthusiasm of the drivers who participated in the trial. Many good ideas about the software and hardware came from these drivers because they know what works, what doesn't - and what makes their job easier.
Once the next trial with the new radio modem is completed, we should be in a position to make the final selection of terminal and modem. We can then begin to work with each supplier to complete this project and begin installing the new equipment in your taxis early next year.

Tom Carter
Dial-a-Cab Software
Indiana

Deutsche Bank

Requests...

We have now had the account with the Deutsche Bank for some weeks and it seems to have bedded in very well, we have been congratulated on the speed of our attendance. It seems that most of our taxis arrive in half the time that the previous supplier took.
But as sometimes happens, with the congratulations come the minor complaints against a minority of our subscribers. The first being that some of our drivers do not have name boards in their possession when picking up, this aid greatly assists the client to identify their taxi - especially when there are several outside the door.
Secondly, they are rather upset that during the dry spell, quite a few taxis turned up which were

dirty inside and out and with a driver who was miserable and moody. This is not acceptable when the account holders are trying to impress a client or travelling themselves in clean clothes. We have a small percentage of drivers who think the world owes them a living and this is totally wrong. In this very competitive world, you have to earn a good reputation for service and reliability.
This reputation can be ruined by one unshaven, scruffy driver with a dirty taxi. Clients will always remember that driver, but forget the hundreds of polite, clean ones. Please do not let these few drivers bring you down to their level. If you see one of our drivers with a filthy taxi, either tell them or tell one of the Board of Management. The acquisition of

an account takes many months of arduous negotiations, but just a few minutes of criticism to lose it.
We have also had bank staff who finish in the early hours of the morning complaining that our drivers are arriving in a very tired condition and should not be undertaking a long journey. If these drivers have no care for their own lives, we care for our clients'. Once again, if you see a subscriber who you consider too tired to complete a journey, let us know. It is your livelihood that these persons are putting in jeopardy.
I would like to emphasise that the above drivers are in a very small minority, the majority are giving our clients an excellent service. The BoM would like to congratulate you on the way you have taken this account on board and delivered such a wonderful service to the client.

Tom Whitbread