Nexlink Communications Helping Taxi Industry to Keep up with the Times
Nexlink devices and end-to-end solutions already deployed in taxi and commercial trucking industry
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., -- The taxi business is changing. Rather than wildly waving their arms or running through traffic into the middle of the street to hail a cab, would-be riders are calmly turning to mobile devices to reach out to the closest ride, often in shinier, more upscale cars than they've ever ridden in before. And they love it.
"At a time when every nano-second seems to count, mobile apps are helping customers, drivers and fleet managers alike maximize their efficiency and get where they need to go," says Jeff Messano, president of Nexlink Communications. "Taxi operators are upgrading fleets to provide state-of-the-art communication systems, making it easier for drivers and passengers to connect and transact business."
Messano says that companies like Uber and Lyft are changing the taxi landscape nationwide by offering convenient, high-tech car service often at lower rates. As a result, traditional taxi companies are rushing to level the playing field and meet consumer demand by utilizing communication devices and connectivity.
As a provider of the kind of user-friendly mobile communication devices that have enabled ride-share cabs like Uber and Lyft to thrive, Messano's Nexlink has skin in the game. Nexlink bundles the communication services it offers to transportation providers to include not just the phones and/or tablets but also the mounts, carrier rate plans, accessories, software, warranty, repairs and insurance, all in one package. The tablets can be connected to carrier networks and can serve as mobile hot spots. This makes it easier for customers to find a ride, pay for it and enjoy some entertainment along the way. At the same time, it makes it faster and more efficient for drivers to find passengers and collect their payments.
The next step in the taxi equation will likely be to provide separate in-cab tablets - one for drivers and one for passengers - to make the process even simpler and more efficient. Drivers use theirs for mapping destinations, dispatch and diagnostics while passengers are doing their social networking, playing games and paying the fare.
"Like many industries, mobile technologies are having a transformative effect on transportation.  The industry is changing at warp speed with the lion's share of new business going to more tech savvy firms," says Messano. "We're trying to help clients stay ahead of the curve by offering fleet operators complete solutions and one-stop shopping at far lower costs than earlier mobile data terminals. That's what happens in the technology business - prices go down, while product quality, efficiencies and speed go up, and hopefully we make everybody happy in the process."
Nexlink suggested its key competitive advantage is the ability to offer end-to-end solutions while also offering customers choices at each step in the process. Nexlink Enterprise customers may be interested in any or all of the following services:
--Â Hardware - new devices (phones and tablets) from premium and lower cost manufacturers, plus high quality remanufactured devices
-- Software provisioning - lock-downs, upgrades, proprietary software loading
--Â Rate plans - customizable rate plans offered through all major carriers
--Â Insurance, repair and replacement
--Â Accessories - mountings, cases, brackets
--Â Mobile device management and tracking
Nexlink is a member of the Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association (TLPA) and will participate at the TLPA Convention and Trade Show in San Antonio, TX. October 15-19. (Booth #826). The company also has significant product deployments in the commercial trucking industry. For further information visit www.nexlinkcommunications.com/transportation
Web Site: http://www.nexlinkcommunications.com
