In the February / March issue of Limousine, Charter, Tour magazine (LCT) which was released at the annual trade show organized by LCT,  the first article appearing in the publication talks about the advent of table style computers and their usefulness to ground transportation providers.  The article, titled “The iPad: Not Just a Passing Fad” was written by Lyndy Burnham, Hudson’s Special Projects and Documentation manager.  The article contains “Six leading reasons why your should consider tablet-style computer for your company.”

The iPad: Not Just a Passing Fad
SIX LEADING REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER TABLET-STYLE COMPUTERS FOR YOUR COMPANY.
By Lyndy Burnham

In April 2010, the Apple iPad, a portable tablet-style computer,
burst onto the scene and clearly filled a niche market, selling
a consistent one million-plus units every month. Depending
on the source, the iPad today holds more than 90% of the
tablet computing market.

Analysts predict that 2011 will see the release of an Apple
iPad2 and several other tablet-style portable computers by competing
hardware manufacturers (Samsung, Acer, Hewlett-Packard,
Microsoft), a fact that should reduce their price to consumers.
“Tablets” are not only the next generation of portable computers,
but they also present ground transportation providers with
new and affordable options for placing computers into their vehicles.
While there are many advantages of portable computing,
and the specific benefits for each operator may be unique, here
are six sample reasons why many operators may want to investigate
adding these devices to their vehicles sooner rather than
later (some of these items directly benefit the client, others support
the driver and operator, and some are mutually beneficial):

#1: SAY GOODBYE TO NEWSPAPERS:
Rather than subscribing to a single newspaper and
placing a copy in each vehicle, your iPad can hold
subscriptions to multiple periodicals. You could
maintain subscriptions to USA Today, New York
Times, Financial Times and your local newspaper.
Combined with subscriptions to Time, Newsweek,
Inc., etc., you have the latest periodicals and media
for your clients to view at their fingertips in a nice,
neat and self-contained package. You could have a
selection of movies and music preloaded as well.
Have a client that speaks a foreign language? Provide
their favorite periodical in their native language!
No more rumpled newspapers or newsprint-stained
fingers and seats. With the reduced paper that you
have to throw out or recycle, the iPad provides an
eco-friendly alternative.

#2 FIND YOUR WAY:
Most tablet-style computers have integrated electronic
compasses and mapping programs. When combined
with integrated GPS technology or cellular tower
location tracking, the tablet can be placed or
mounted in a vehicle and can help locate pickup
and drop-off locations, provide spoken turn-by-turn
directions, suggest efficient routing options, and provide
estimated destination arrival time.

#3 GENERATE SALES IN THE VEHICLE:
If your company has a Web reservation system,
why not ask clients if they would prefer to book their
next ride with your service while in the comfort of
your vehicle? Your Web-connected iPad will allow
clients to load your Web reservation site and book
their trips while riding with you. Passengers heading to
the airport can complete their pre-boarding check-in
with their airline and save time at the airport.

#4 COMMUNICATE WITH THE BACK OFFICE:
Leading transportation industry software providers
either already have or will soon be integrating iPads
and other tablet-style computers with their back office
reservation, dispatch, and accounting systems.
Placing these devices in vehicles, chauffeurs are
able to view reservation details, communicate status
updates, map pickup and drop-off locations, track
status of inbound flights, and even complete driver
closeout and trip reconciliation process in the field.
Trip sheets, pagers, radios, and cell phones could be
eliminated in many cases.

#5 CAPTURE PAYMENTS AND ISSUE RECEIPTS:
A portable Point of Sale terminal, your iPad
can be used to record cash and secure credit
card payments. Capture client signatures and
produce receipts in the vehicle, at the terminal,
or while curbside. Driver shift reports can
tally the amount of cash, checks, and credit
cards due at the end of a chauffeur’s shift ensuring
that all funds are submitted and accounted
for.

#6 PAGING SIGNS:
A simple but practical application, the iPad
may be used to create visually professional
paging/greeting signs. Along with your full-color
company logo, you can easily add your
client name to the large display in a clean and
easy-to-read font. Scrawled names and hard-to-
read lettering are eliminated. If you have a
greeter or curbside coordinator at the airport,
the tablet allows the coordinator to track the
status of arriving passengers and the location
of their pre-assigned vehicles, ensuring the
two are mated quickly and efficiently.