Taxi Driver Online

Taxi firm goes mobile with XDA PDAs

One of London's largest cab firms is installing a new mobile computing system to quicken customer pick-up times and slash technology roll-out costs in its new fleet.

Black cab firm Xeta claimed that by replacing its private mobile radio network with handheld XDA IIs, using an O2 GPRS network, it is saving around £2,000 a cab and improving customer journeys by integrating applications such as global positioning system (GPS) and billing.

The XDA IIs, which are being rolled out across Xeta's 370 taxis over the next seven months, will also help the firm extend its business outside London, according to managing director Geof Kaley.

"Private mobile radio was proving a cul-de-sac for us. It cost £2,500 per vehicle, radio frequencies were congested and drivers didn't like us drilling huge holes into their cabs," he said.

"In comparison using O2's GPRS network means we can build a business that can extend outside London."

The portability of the handhelds also means that cabbies can be more responsive by picking up job requests when they are not in their vehicle.

Xeta has also developed XPert, an in-house platform for the XDAs to integrate information such as fare journey requests, as well as Tom Tom GPS technology and a soon-to-be-deployed swipe card payment and receipt system.

"The system shows us who is available for a fare and if they are close to the customer," explained Kaley.

"It also provides audit trails so that corporate customers can monitor issues like extra charges incurred from waiting time."

Information from each handheld device is linked to the company's Cantech booking and dispatch engines and billing and management information systems so that it can automate accounting and wage payments.

Xeta will also save money by deploying new business applications through over-the-air-provisioning, rather than having to bring cabs in for an overhaul.

Perfect for Black cabs who can still do street pickups if the GPRS network is down for any considerable time. What a nightmare if you are just PH and your comms grinds to a halt on a Freeday neet.

Surely ther must be a solution that provides a backup comms link if the primary service provider has a problem.?

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Diplomat Delivers
www.diplomat.co.uk

Stewart
that posting is terrible!

Geoff Kaley is not noted for innovation.

Geoff

Sorry I am very tired.
What was terrible

Mind you I like this bit
"Private mobile radio was proving a cul-de-sac for us. It cost £2,500 per vehicle, radio frequencies were congested and drivers didn't like us drilling huge holes into their cabs," he said.

Tait 2010 199 Quid. Bootlip antennal 17 quid fitting 35 quid
total 251 + vat
2500 quid ?? Shoorley shum mistake!
Decimal point placement disorder I suspect
Congested frequencies???
Over 150 mobiles entitles you to an exclusive channel !
Hole size for most mounts is 10-12mm maybe Geoffs wife told him that 12mm is huge.
Trust me Mr. Kaley its not

Do I take it that RolaMota have finally been given the heave ho by CC ?
I remember when Computer cab had over 1000 vehicles what happened ??

What exactly is a Can't Ech booking system??

_________________
Diplomat Delivers
www.diplomat.co.uk

Yes, I thought £2,500 a vehilce was a bit steep.

And, cutting holes in the dash? !!

Why not put the radio under the seat with a hands free kit (cost about £40).