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Helsinki Taksi-Data OY First to Purchase Digital Dispatch’s Mobile Computers with GPRS and In-Vehicle Surveillance Cameras
Richmond, BC, February 14, 2003 – Digital Dispatch Systems Inc. of Richmond, British Columbia, a global provider of turnkey wireless mobile data solutions, announced today it has signed an agreement with Helsingin Taksi-Data OY (HTD) of Helsinki, Finland that will provide HTD with one of the most advanced taxi dispatch systems in the world. The new system will include in-vehicle mobile computers with GPS receivers for dispatching and map display, peripheral connectivity expansion modules, in-vehicle surveillance systems, and both Private Mobile Radio and GSM/GPRS wireless connectivity. The deal, which includes a multi-year service agreement, is valued at over $17 million (CDN) including options and RF infrastructure.
HTD has purchased equipment for 1,200 of their vehicles. This agreement marks the first Digital Dispatch customer to order the MC 1700 mobile computer with embedded GSM/GPRS. The MC1700 is Digital Dispatch’s feature-rich, highly integrated mobile computer, which includes a built-in GPS receiver, full VGA touch screen, and runs the Windows CE operating system. The MC1700 will feature Finnish language support for the HTD application and can optionally connect to the Bosch Blaupunkt Travel Pilot navigation system. The GSM/GPRS capability will provide HTD with 2.5G wireless data connectivity as well as the ability to make GSM mobile voice calls should the taxi driver require voice-based communication. The GPRS data connectivity will enhance the functionality of the in-vehicle surveillance system, Digital Dispatch’s SmartCam, by allowing a large volume of surveillance photos to be transmitted wirelessly to the central dispatch office, where the images can be viewed or sent to the local police authority.
Digital Dispatch’s SmartCam is the most complete, affordable and easy to use crime deterrence solution for taxi companies. This in-vehicle camera becomes a component of a surveillance system which includes GPS vehicle tracking. SmartCam captures high-quality, high-resolution images day and night utilizing four built-in high-power infra-red LED’s for illumination under low light conditions. Each digital picture that SmartCam takes contains embedded information including vehicle and driver identification, date, time, and GPS co-ordinates. The SmartCam system can store up to 4,000 pictures and can use Private Mobile Radio or GPRS to transmit to the central dispatch office.
Also part of HTD’s new dispatch system is a Private Mobile Radio wireless data network that will be built and maintained by Elisa Communications Group, a Helsinki-based telecommunications group. The network will use Digital Dispatch’s industry leading radio infrastructure products including the Multi-Site Multi-Channel Network Controller, a sophisticated radio communications network message router, and the Redundant Base Controller (RBC), which manages radio traffic without interruption.
HTD is the largest taxi company in Finland, with a fleet of over 1,400 vehicles. Previously operating with a dispatch system that was solely text-based, HTD required a new system that would provide faster dispatching and, overall, enhanced customer service. The GPRS and SmartCam features will set HTD well above their competitors and peers in their functionality options. “We receive millions of calls a year, so we needed a robust dispatch system that could manage this volume and improve our business operations overall. We feel that we have found this in the Digital Dispatch system,” said Mr. Eero Keinänen, CEO and Chairman of HTD.
Ed Sadowski, Vice President, Sales for Digital Dispatch, expressed, “The system that Helsingin Taksi-Data has purchased is integral to Digital Dispatch. We have worked with HTD to build a solution that meets, and exceeds, their system requirements and expectations. We are confident HTD’s new dispatch system will put them at the forefront of European taxi companies in terms of their dispatch system and the customer experience they will now be able to provide.”
About Helsingin Taksi-Data OY
Helsingin Taksi-Data OY was founded 1989. The company is owned by 1,246 private car owners and Helsingin Taksiautoilijat ry (Helsinki Taxidriver’s Association). With over 1,400 taxis and 79 call takers, HTD is the largest taxi company in the regulated Finnish taxi market. In 2001, HTD received 4 million orders by phone.
About Digital Dispatch Systems
Digital Dispatch is a global provider of turnkey wireless mobile data solutions focusing on real-time dispatching, vehicle location and tracking, and computerized routing and scheduling. Digital Dispatch is currently a worldwide leader in providing wireless mobile data solutions for the taxi market and also provides solutions for the transit/paratransit, roadside assistance, airport shuttle, and vehicle location and tracking markets. Digital Dispatch offers overall systems integration, project management, technical consultation, system installation, training, and on-going customer support. Our products include application software, mobile and portable data terminals and computers with integrated peripherals and radio infrastructure network products. Digital Dispatch has installed over 65,000 wireless mobile data devices and over 145 wireless data systems in 34 countries. Digital Dispatch has operations in Canada, Sweden, the United Kingdom, India, Singapore, and the United States.
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