COMPANIES TO TEST INTERNET DISPATCH SYSTEM
By Adnews Staff
InStep Mobile Communications is testing an Internet Dispatching solution in collaboration with BC TEL Mobility, Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications. The service is geared to mobile workers such as courier companies, computer repair companies and heating/ventilation companies who need to stay in touch with their employees while they're on the road. Currently, they use a two-way radio system. Using Internet Dispatch, company dispatchers enter information into a computer and, using the Internet and BC TEL's Cellular Digital Packet Data network, send that information directly to mobile workers in the field. The information is received on the workers cellular Smartphone, where it is displayed on the phone's screen. The mobile worker can receive data, send status and retrieve information regarding their jobs via the phone. The test period will last until early June, then the companies will decide whether to launch the service in the summer or wait until the fall. Advertising for Internet Dispatch will be done cooperatively between InStep and BC TEL. InStep handles its advertising in-house, usually doing direct marketing. Palmer Jarvis/DDB's Vancouver office handles business advertising for BC TEL. Samsung and Mitsubishi are providing the Smartphone. InStep develops wireless dispatch solutions for taxi, paratransit, messenger and courier companies. Its family of products include TaxiCAD, CourierCAD and eDispatch.