- Details
- Category: Industry News
Late last month, it was announced that ground transportation operators utilizing Livery Coach, FASTTRAK Cloud, The Hudson Group, and SedanMagic, have real-time access to vehicle location data, intra-network communications, and on-demand booking capabilities delivered via a new system-agnostic neutral communications platform through the formation of The coNext Project.
GroundWidgets is the latest member to join the alliance of software providers working with The coNext Project, which increases the numbers served by an additional 500 operators, 10,000+ cars, and 12.5 million rides.
“The coNext Project now brings together over 1,530 operators, 41,525+ cars, and 80.5 million rides each year for the ground transportation providers represented by the CoNext system providers,” says Amir Zafar, founder and CEO of GRiDD, the technology company who developed the neutral platform.
For years, the largest stumbling block to working with affiliates was the use of different software systems. This new connectivity will eliminate the need for ground transportation operators to call in reservations to their affiliates. With a push of a button, they will now be able to send jobs electronically to any operator—regardless of their dispatch system—and they can get real-time ride statuses, book changes, and send rides to an affiliate regardless of the software they are using, thus drastically reducing the overhead of their dispatch and reservation operations.
This is the first time operators from different software providers can communicate directly through utilizing a vendor-neutral network technology in real-time.
“We are pleased to be able to add the GroundWidgets operators, using the LMS, SantaCruz, and ULS back office software to this open network,” says Zafar.
Apurva Patel, CEO of GroundWidgets, is excited to be part of this project. “It has always been in the best interest of our industry to have a single, neutral communications network,” he says. “Chauffeured service passengers are part of a global community, and we have to make sure that our clients are seamlessly connected to this global network. Participation in The coNext Project means that we are adding a new level of real-time connectivity where operators partner with each other and are positioned to extend the duty of care their corporate customers expect.”
In addition to the connectivity, operators will now be able to elect to go on demand when they have excess capacity. The on-demand feature will be at the discretion of the company not the driver.
Visit www.theconextproject.com or send an email to info@theconextproject.com for more information.
[CD1114]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
San Carlos, Calif. — Planet Halo recently showcased its sophisticated vehicle recording system at the Chauffeur Driven Show this past November 2-5 in Atlantic City, which included up to four cameras, GPS module, audio recorder, G-force inertial sensor, audio speaker, and mini DVR with 32 gb SD card. The systems, labeled as PH2-S and PH4, are designed to be tamper-resistant specifically for commercial vehicles.
The PH4 captures the interior of the passenger compartment and views form the driver’s perspective toward the front of the vehicle. The external camera are designed to mount on the side panels of the vehicle to capture video along the side. Other recommended positions include a backup camera with the option to plug in an external monitor, and within the passenger compartment for longer vehicles.
Management can now track their vehicle routes, stops and starts, driver and passenger behavior, and speed while viewing the actual video events as they occurred in high-definition video. Variable bit rate recording and colored night vision also enhance the quality of the video captures.
Visit planethalo.com for more information on the camera options available.
[CD1114]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
Winston-Salem, N.C. — Black Tie Transportation has purchased the assets of Raleigh-based Blue Diamond Worldwide Transportation, a chauffeured limousine and sedan service founded by Carrie Peele. The sale was facilitated by The Tenney Group, a 40-year-old firm specializing in sales, acquisitions, and valuations of transportation businesses across the U.S.
Gray Hill, owner of 25-year-old Black Tie Transportation, had been looking to expand bus business and approached The Tenney Group about available opportunities. “Communication between all the parties involved was critical for me in this purchase,” he says. “The Tenney Group worked hard and met my expectation. I think it is a great company and would recommend it to anyone who is looking to buy or sell a transportation company.”
Blue Diamond Worldwide was founded in 1990 with $15,000 and one midnight blue limousine. Over the last 24 years, Peele turned that small beginning into the largest woman-owned limousine company in North and South Carolina. Because of her outstanding dedication and perseverance, she was able to solidify contracts with large corporations, international clientele, and state agencies throughout the county. The purchase provided Gray with a fleet consisting of 12 small to midsize luxury vehicles.
“Carrie is a well-recognized business leader in the Raleigh-Durham area and throughout the chauffeured transportation industry,” says Charles Tenney, managing partner of The Tenney Group. “It has been a privilege to help her. Early on, Gray saw the potential synergies; he is a natural fit for Blue Diamond Worldwide, and this is a great deal for everyone involved.”
Visit www.blacktietransportation.net for more information about the merger.
[CD1114]