| Mentor IntelliFleet® Improves Reporting and Speeds Service at Co-Op Cabs in Toronto
Co-Op Cabs, long-time users of Mentor Engineering's rugged in-vehicle computers, have implemented the Mentor IntelliFleet® automated dispatch system to accommodate increasing call volumes, respond quickly to customer requests, track the exact location of drivers, and distribute rides fairly amongst their 470-vehicle fleet. "At Co-Op Cabs, keeping our customers happy with efficient service, and keeping our drivers happy with fair trip distribution is the bread and butter of our business, and IntelliFleet helps us do this better," says Peter Zahakos, the company's General Manager. Taxi organizations have been using IntelliFleet software for over 17 years to automate the call-taking and dispatching process. When a customer calls to request a pickup, the system detects the caller's phone number and address, and instantly fills in that information on the call-taker's screen. The trip is then automatically offered to the most eligible driver. Prior to using IntelliFleet, Co-Op Cabs had a dispatch system through another supplier, but wanted both their hardware and software from one company. Already equipped with rugged in-vehicle computers from Mentor, Co-Op Cabs liked that IntelliFleet, as Peter describes: "Was developed in the industry, for the industry. The software is responsive to the needs of taxi agencies because of that. We chose IntelliFleet and to stay with Mentor's hardware because they are good, solid, reliable systems." For Peter, one of the biggest benefits of IntelliFleet is the ability to now have a cab stand process. When drivers book into a service zone, IntelliFleet captures this information and automatically selects the closest available taxi to the waiting customer, speeding service. In addition to cab stand, Peter says: "The thing that IntelliFleet is really helping me with is reporting. Reporting is made very simple and I can pull up a report for almost anything that happens, which lets me better manage my staff and drivers. If a driver has a complaint, I can pull up the report for verification. It's a minute-by-minute complete history of events." As Ron Boulton, National Taxi Division Manager at Mentor and key developer of IntelliFleet since its inception, explains: "The taxi industry is unique from other transportation industries because they use their own private money as opposed to public money to fund these technical acquisitions. That's a testament to the fact that IntelliFleet provides a good return on investment." IntelliFleet is modularly designed, so as Co-Op Cabs grows and their needs change, they can add modules to their existing software package. Because Co-Op Cabs also operates a paratransit fleet, they want to implement the newest module of IntelliFleet, IntelliRouter, in the near future. With IntelliRouter, paratransit riders requiring less support can be transferred to taxis. IntelliRouter sends details such as the pick-up location directly to the appropriate taxi and lets managers at the transit agency monitor paratransit rides in real-time, automatically price rides according to the service provided, and generate trip reports each day. "IntelliFleet helps us grow as an organization because it's stable and it works," says Peter. About Mentor Engineering Mentor Engineering is a 20-year veteran in the manufacturing and deployment of wireless mobile computing and GPS systems. Mentor is distinguished by technical innovation and services including system integration, training, and on-going support Media Contact Note: The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. |