Driver Communication -
You've got mail
You've got mail
Joel shares some technology ideas that you can apply to dispatch and general
communication with drivers in the field
communication with drivers in the field
| Joel Smith Clear Computing |
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Today, communications to a driver is usually via cell phone or radio. Unfortunately, the quality of service of cell
and radio leaves much to be desired, and even if they work just fine, the driver has to stop and write down names,
address, phone number and work instructions.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could write all this down and simply print all the information in the vehicle with a note to
call if the driver has any questions? You could also include a map with driving instructions and an estimate of how
long it would take to get there.
You can use email that can make this happen for less then $1000.00/vehicle.
Could this really work? Let’s see how potential problems are addressed.
Problem: Email is turned off in the vehicle.
Solution: Email is queued up on the Internet, and as soon as it is turned on, the work orders are delivered.
Problem: Driver forgets to turn it on.
Solution: Your email service can be configured to page or place a cell phone call to the driver that new mail has
arrived.
Problem: The printer runs out of paper.
Solution: The driver can read the message on the screen of the email device.
Problem: Broken.
Solution: Office supply stores, coffee shops and most motels and hotels offer internet service. The driver can stop
at any of these locations and print out current work orders.
Need we go on? Email is designed to be used by everyone and is available everywhere.
The answer is volume!!!!!!! I believe there are over 100 million email users in this country alone, and if you start
counting phone messaging, the numbers go off the scale. This means lots of users and service everywhere at rock
bottom prices. It’s like the old .10 cent phone call, but better.
All this for less than $1000.00/vehicle!!!!! And it may be less by the time you are reading this article.
Here are the shopping items:DC/AC power converter $25.00
Printer - laser ($200.00)
Laptop ($600.00)
Wireless Modem ( $100.00)
Here is how it works. The equipment is placed in the vehicle and is in constant communication via the Internet. In
your office, you prepare an email message and in the subject line you include information like work order number,
time, etc. When the equipment in the vehicle receives it, the email arriving in the PC will cause a beep, telling the
driver new mail has arrived. The driver opens the email that has an attachment that he/she prints.
When the job is done, the driver can respond and type in the details of the job, which serves two purposes. One,
this acts as a receipt to the customer and two, it is sent back to the office so an invoice can be prepared and mailed
out. It also gives the dispatcher the status of the driver’s work for the day.
Email offers a new form of communication that allows you to tell the driver what to do next without having to
disrupt the driver’s work and driving, is totally self-documenting, and offers options to improve the invoicing cycle
of your company.
and radio leaves much to be desired, and even if they work just fine, the driver has to stop and write down names,
address, phone number and work instructions.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could write all this down and simply print all the information in the vehicle with a note to
call if the driver has any questions? You could also include a map with driving instructions and an estimate of how
long it would take to get there.
You can use email that can make this happen for less then $1000.00/vehicle.
Could this really work? Let’s see how potential problems are addressed.
Problem: Email is turned off in the vehicle.
Solution: Email is queued up on the Internet, and as soon as it is turned on, the work orders are delivered.
Problem: Driver forgets to turn it on.
Solution: Your email service can be configured to page or place a cell phone call to the driver that new mail has
arrived.
Problem: The printer runs out of paper.
Solution: The driver can read the message on the screen of the email device.
Problem: Broken.
Solution: Office supply stores, coffee shops and most motels and hotels offer internet service. The driver can stop
at any of these locations and print out current work orders.
Need we go on? Email is designed to be used by everyone and is available everywhere.
The answer is volume!!!!!!! I believe there are over 100 million email users in this country alone, and if you start
counting phone messaging, the numbers go off the scale. This means lots of users and service everywhere at rock
bottom prices. It’s like the old .10 cent phone call, but better.
All this for less than $1000.00/vehicle!!!!! And it may be less by the time you are reading this article.
Here are the shopping items:DC/AC power converter $25.00
Printer - laser ($200.00)
Laptop ($600.00)
Wireless Modem ( $100.00)
Here is how it works. The equipment is placed in the vehicle and is in constant communication via the Internet. In
your office, you prepare an email message and in the subject line you include information like work order number,
time, etc. When the equipment in the vehicle receives it, the email arriving in the PC will cause a beep, telling the
driver new mail has arrived. The driver opens the email that has an attachment that he/she prints.
When the job is done, the driver can respond and type in the details of the job, which serves two purposes. One,
this acts as a receipt to the customer and two, it is sent back to the office so an invoice can be prepared and mailed
out. It also gives the dispatcher the status of the driver’s work for the day.
Email offers a new form of communication that allows you to tell the driver what to do next without having to
disrupt the driver’s work and driving, is totally self-documenting, and offers options to improve the invoicing cycle
of your company.
Joel Smith, of Clear Computing, Inc., is a business consultant and software designer for the waste industry. He has
consulted with large and small companies on the use of technology to improve their productivity and operations
since 1988. Call Joel at 732-747-0113 ext 100, email him at joel@clearcomputing.com or visit his company’s
website at www.clearcomputing.com.
consulted with large and small companies on the use of technology to improve their productivity and operations
since 1988. Call Joel at 732-747-0113 ext 100, email him at joel@clearcomputing.com or visit his company’s
website at www.clearcomputing.com.
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Serving the American Liquid Waste Industry Since 2002