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Driver Communication
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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.
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.
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