Taxi and Commercial Trucking Industries Re-shaped by New Technologies

The taxi business and the trucking is changing and changing rapidly – in large part due to new mobile technologies

“At a time when every nano-second seems to count, mobile apps are helping customers, drivers and fleet managers alike maximize their efficiency and get where they need to go,” says Jeff Messano, president of Nexlink Communications. “Taxi operators are upgrading fleets to provide state-of-the-art communication systems, making it easier for drivers and passengers to connect and transact business.”

Messano says that companies like Uber and Lyft are changing the taxi landscape nationwide by offering convenient, high-tech car service often at lower rates. As a result, traditional taxi companies are rushing to level the playing field and meet consumer demand by utilizing communication devices and connectivity.

For its part, Nexlink bundles the communication services it offers to transportation providers to include not just the phones and/or tablets but also the mounts, carrier rate plans, accessories, software, warranty, repairs and insurance, all in one package.

The tablets can be connected to carrier networks and can serve as mobile hot spots. This makes it easier for customers to find a ride, pay for it and enjoy some entertainment along the way.

At the same time, it makes it faster and more efficient for drivers to find passengers and collect their payments.

The company anticipates that the next step in the taxi equation will likely be to provide separate in-cab tablets – one for drivers and one for passengers – to make the process even simpler and more efficient.

Additional changes likely to occur in commercial fleets will include:

Hardware – new devices (phones and tablets) from premium and lower cost manufacturers, plus high quality remanufactured devices

Software provisioning – lock-downs, upgrades, proprietary software loading

Rate plans – customizable rate plans offered through all major carriers Insurance, repair and replacement Accessories – mountings, cases, brackets Mobile device management and tracking

Category: General Update