Taxi Driver Online

Hello All,

I've been thinking of starting a new business for some time now and have recently (5 Years ago) sold up and got out of the fashion game...looking back what perfect timing.

Around 6 mths ago I settled on starting up a PH company, I've managed to secure a fantastic site down south in a very very prime location. I'm in no rush to start up as I feel marketing the business will be key.....therefore plenty of home work is being done...prior to starting up.

I've been reading everyones posts and they have been very helpful...but being a newbie the whole system thing is a bit much to get your head round. I know some people will say - start off with a pencil and a pad, but then I'll be at the mercy of a controller and maybe not have the control I need over the business.

I've been in touch with Autocab - anybody have any experince of dealing with them.
Are PDA's any good in general/or should I look to add voice as a back up?
What companies do you feel are better placed from your direct experinces in delivering the complete package?.

We have a small war chest - which has been very very hard earned...therefore I need some real feedback before I begin cracking open the piggy bank.

Many thanks,
AMC

I think you need to get some cars and some work before you start thinking about PDAs and the like.

Or better still buy an existing firm.

_________________
IDFIMH

Sussex - buying a firm is out of the question...due to the huge monies being demanded.

I get your drift...buy some pencils and paper - add on a basic voice system and go from there. Still would be nice if you could comment on autocab..?

Sadly, like most things, I know nothing about Autocab.

Suggest you get a list of their punters and go visit.

_________________
IDFIMH

Ok..thanks for your input.

Posting a reply so quickly makes it look like I sit here waiting to pounce

As a supplier I can't reply to a lot of your questions for obvious reasons but hope these bits help.

The PDAs are really the only way to fly in the London area as the radio channels are so congested down there. Also drivers need the sat nav function as most of the time they don't know where they're going.

You do need to have a backup system in place but this could simply consist of a pay as you go mobile with the number given out to the drivers. The PDAs are of course a phone as well as a hand held PC and can be used for voice communications but few do this and in any case, they're not much use as a backup if it's the network that's failed.

Most of our customers on PDAs have migrated from a conventional radio circuits and often retain their old voice channel. Those that haven't usually just tell the drivers to use their own mobiles so drivers then have to pay for their own calls and so think twice before calling in unnecessarily.

Which is the best our of course But seriously they all basically do much the same job, some slightly better than others do but none are so better that it's going to make any difference between success and failure. Unfortunately there are no Which Guides on this one so you just need to look at what's on offer, look at the prices and any contracts and most importantly talk to others (preferably not the ones the supplier wants you to!)

Finally a question for you if you don't mind as I've never come across a company running Autocab with PDAs. Does that price include the actual PDAs and airtime contracts and if so how long for?

Anyway, enough from me I'm off for a well-earned pint!

Bill

Bill - did you get my pm.

Nope! Was it a PM or email? because I can't access emails here at home.

Bill

Ok...I'll send again.

Your investment should be part of your long term business plan.

Do you intend to quickly expand.
Who's experience are you relying on to guide you.
Would someone without the knowledge of the "fashion trade" survive, just as would you with out knowledge of the taxi trade.

Dont just accept what one or two Dispatch systems offer you. If Auto-Cab knew you were also talking to Auriga or others you may even get a better price.

Go and see other companies in other areas. Auto-Cab or Auriga (or even bill_datamaster) should be happy to show you like for like as a small company.

Good luck

pm..you should have it...i've just sent it again.

any luck...

Thanks. Had to nip out for a while. Standby!
Right all done I hope. Oh and forgot to mention, your going to need an Internet connection ideally with a static IP.

Bill,

Thanks - speak soon.

If I were you I'd steer clear of the PDA's, that's just my personal opnion of course. The trouble we've had with the PDA's is nothing short of a nightmare, they are only a glorified mobile phone running on a mobile phone network. If your in a bad area you'll lose signal and lose work, like ours come New Years Eve at midnight the whole system went down due to people killing the network.

Over the weekend round our way we've had some bad weather, we've had tornados, heavy rain and thick cloud cover our system went belly up a few times due to the weather.