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How I wish we had this in Redmond

  • Artigo

Microsoft has a huge campus in Redmond covering many different locations such as the Main Campus, Lakeridge, Red West, Millenium, Sammamish and others. In terms of size, Microsoft is considered to have the world's largest single location headquaters facility totalling 10 million sq ft of space! That's STUNNING.

One problem we have is getting from one building to another. The system they have in place is already really good, with a very intelligent system that routes shuttle request between buildings and making sure they maintain a certain service level. Most of the time, we get to where we want ontime. The system is also intelligent enough to hand-off requests from one shuttle to another. I would however like to improve it's "booking" system. Right now, we have to get to the receptionist and request to have a shuttle bring us from that building to another. The receptionist will quickly enter this into a web-based application and in 10 seconds will let you know what the shuttle number is and how long it will take to get to your location.

Take a look at this service the Brits and Irish have in their cities today. https://www.textataxi.com/howto.asp.

I would like to see a "one-button" click solution built for Windows Mobile that allows me to hit one button on my cellphone and select which building I would like to go to and the phone will transmit my current location to the shuttle system via SMS. (probably linked to a location based service like local.live.com).

then the system will SMS back to me the shuttle number and estimated wait time. Simple and so usable.

 

don't you think so? oh, but before we get there, someone has to teach Americans that SMS or Texting is better than email, and works while you're on the phone or GPRS. ;)

Comments

  • Anonymous
    October 03, 2006
    Hi www.textataxi.com is one of my products and i thank you for your comments, looks like we are doing something right, maybe there is something we can do to help and get this technology moving in Redmond, if you have any ideas or contact details please advice as we will only be to happy to work with, very best regards Lawrence.

  • Anonymous
    October 10, 2006
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    October 12, 2007
    This idea is rubbish ( in my opinion ) Customers would rather use a reputable Taxi firm, easily got by asking anyone local. Waiter, Bar Staff etc will be glad to order you a Taxi for free... Mike

  • Anonymous
    October 18, 2007
    interesting to see that Mike Foster happens to be involved with a taxi company. Perhaps he's annoyed he didn't come up with the idea?? I used, does what it says on the tin!

  • Anonymous
    October 26, 2007
    Its a nice idea, but impractical in reality. Its the classic example of trying to use technology, to solve a non-existent problem or issue. People would rather telephone for a Taxi, than use other methods, such as Internet etc. Even For 'this idea' to work, and be a profitable, managed service, it would need to be used a lot, which it never will... In airports, bars and restaurants’ etc , you are bombarded with Taxi company’s details, simply ring them and book your Taxi. Sit back, relax, heck, they will even ring your phone or send you a sms when your Cab is outside. This is only my opinion as someone in the Taxi business, many years, and running several successful businesses etc

  • Anonymous
    October 28, 2007
    Hi, Some very interesting comments above i see, some negative some positive. Its great to hear of various peoples and businesses feed back; however if i listened to all the negative feedback about certain products and business that i have created i would not be a wealthy man. Taxi company owners must comply with strict regulations laid down by various governing bodies and what we have found is that most do not comply, during our research this was very disturbing esspecially when they are requested to be dissability act compliant,not just for wheel chair access and the blind but for the hard of hearing and speech impaired (this community does not have a voice so i am creating a strong communication system to help), so Mr Textman and the Belfast taxi operator please do not attempt to hide behind your knowledge,to avail of knowing what you are talking about, your opinoins are on board and i thank you for those comments and wish you every success in what ever you continue to do, good luck, Regards Lawrence Kendall

  • Anonymous
    November 05, 2007
    The comment has been removed

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