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A DESPATCH SOFTWARE SYSTEM without the BOLLOCKS
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=23668		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  theCrab [ Sat Dec 28, 2013 2:20 pm ]
Post subject:  A DESPATCH SOFTWARE SYSTEM without the BOLLOCKS
This is gonna sound brave, or German if you may. But I tried understanding how to buy the Mercury system n it was so difficult for someone who likes simplicity. The pricing and all that marketing jibba dabba really KO'd me.

In my past life n hobby I made software. Mostly utility software. So I sat down and in about 20 minutes got a simple booking system up n live. My missus takes the calls, books the job on the system and I get to see them and mark them as complete/no show/ etc. Its very simple but its worked throughout the Xmas busy time. I have also ripped up an iPad mini WI-FI, installed the phone iOS bit and use that to view jobs, maps and launch map navigation by a single touch of a button.

This can't match mercury. But if I sat down with a list of features, the bare essentials only, I bet I could get a nice skinny system without the [edited by admin] in a shorter time than mercury2 took to come out. And its saved me money. A lot if money.

Now, how hard can this be? Why does it cost so much? Oh! Reminds me how Microsoft only sales licenses. Apple makes hardware n software. Cheaper long lasting, always works n fab support.

Who would like to help with a list of features, testing and feedback? Id start building the core first. Am looking at having a desktop/web app, tablet(driver app), and customer(phone app).

On the other hand, this could all be just another dream side project that gets shelved like many have :-D
Author:  janok [ Sat Dec 28, 2013 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A DESPATCH SOFTWARE SYSTEM without the BOLLOCKS
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this will never work. Aside from the costs of things like installation and support, on your own you might get a system that does what you want, but you will never make a usable by all system with varying options.

Plenty have tried, plenty have failed. They all, in the end, purchase a system from a system supplier whether it be autocab, cordic or mercury.

Stick to what you know.
Author:  theCrab [ Sun Dec 29, 2013 2:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A DESPATCH SOFTWARE SYSTEM without the BOLLOCKS
janok wrote:
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this will never work. Aside from the costs of things like installation and support, on your own you might get a system that does what you want, but you will never make a usable by all system with varying options.

Plenty have tried, plenty have failed. They all, in the end, purchase a system from a system supplier whether it be autocab, cordic or mercury.

Stick to what you know.


Are you pointing at my skills as a programmer or are you saying a simple system like the one I made is useless? Can you be constructive when you give your opinion pls? For instance; identify points of failure and offer a possible solution for each. That is better than a general answer.

In retrospect. My small system currently works. I can write a module to auto dispatch. But I don't have that need atm. Most systems are made to solve every possible problem n therefore fail to solve the most basic of the problem. Those systems are made to be sold to operators/managers/accountants etc, but we all know the person who should be focused on is the driver not the office staff. That is just traditional software design.

You don't need 1000nds of configurations bulky never used features. I'm intending for a few useful buttons. 5 maximum: Add( vehicle, driver, licence, booking) and view live, completed and future bookings.

The dispatch is automated, to the longest wait in queu wherever they are, or the closest driver to a fare. Pls add some other scenarios here.:-)

Drivers log themselves in, its up to them. Noo need to chase them around. Jobs are dispatched to logged in drivers only. And they can download and print their own documents in different formats. PDF, CSV etc.

This is what I have just done tonight. Anyone happy to test drive?
Author:  andycable [ Sun Dec 29, 2013 2:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A DESPATCH SOFTWARE SYSTEM without the BOLLOCKS
Hi , I would be happy to test drive , pm sent :)
Author:  theCrab [ Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A DESPATCH SOFTWARE SYSTEM without the BOLLOCKS
I've just woken up after a busy PH night. Now checking out some server hardware i can invest in. I need to fine tune my production deploying scripts so i don't have to do manual deploys all the time.
Author:  Nidge2 [ Sun Dec 29, 2013 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A DESPATCH SOFTWARE SYSTEM without the BOLLOCKS
theCrab wrote:
janok wrote:
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this will never work. Aside from the costs of things like installation and support, on your own you might get a system that does what you want, but you will never make a usable by all system with varying options.

Plenty have tried, plenty have failed. They all, in the end, purchase a system from a system supplier whether it be autocab, cordic or mercury.

Stick to what you know.


Are you pointing at my skills as a programmer or are you saying a simple system like the one I made is useless? Can you be constructive when you give your opinion pls? For instance; identify points of failure and offer a possible solution for each. That is better than a general answer.

In retrospect. My small system currently works. I can write a module to auto dispatch. But I don't have that need atm. Most systems are made to solve every possible problem n therefore fail to solve the most basic of the problem. Those systems are made to be sold to operators/managers/accountants etc, but we all know the person who should be focused on is the driver not the office staff. That is just traditional software design.

You don't need 1000nds of configurations bulky never used features. I'm intending for a few useful buttons. 5 maximum: Add( vehicle, driver, licence, booking) and view live, completed and future bookings.

The dispatch is automated, to the longest wait in queu wherever they are, or the closest driver to a fare. Pls add some other scenarios here.:-)

Drivers log themselves in, its up to them. Noo need to chase them around. Jobs are dispatched to logged in drivers only. And they can download and print their own documents in different formats. PDF, CSV etc.

This is what I have just done tonight. Anyone happy to test drive?



I'll test drive it for you. PM sent
Author:  theCrab [ Sun Dec 29, 2013 9:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A DESPATCH SOFTWARE SYSTEM without the BOLLOCKS
Thanks nidge2 and andycable. Am out on the road ATM. I'll be sending you details later. :wink:
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