There was a time during the 70s up to the 90s when truck towing operators had deplorable reputations of preying on motorists saddled with roadside problems. Fortunately, the advent of computerization and digital technologies changed everything for the better. Towing companies had changed their business model by offering roadside assistance as a means of expanding and growing their customer base to improve their business performance.
Unlike before when towing trucks were used by property owners to have vehicles removed from their private lots; or to quickly impound and tow away vehicles even if the vehicle owner was having legit car troubles.
Today, the relationship between motorists and towing companies is a lot different. It’s now common for motorists to install an app to instantly connect them to a reliable towing company that provides, not only towing services but also roadside assistance. Modern day towing companies are now focused on helping vehicle drivers get to their destination as soon as possible, by providing roadside assistance first and rendering towing services only when necessary.
Examples of Technologies that Helped Towing Companies Become Service-Oriented
Roadside assistance can be as simple as changing a flat tire, replacing a car battery, fixing electricals or simply towing the car to the nearest repair shop, or wherever the car owner wants to bring his or her vehicle. To make their services instantly accessible, a towing company offers a user-friendly app that will enable a distressed car owner to request roadside or towing assistance without having to provide too many details about his current location.
Location Tracking, Dispatch and Route-Creation Systems
Since the app is connected to the towing company’s main system, the location tracking system lets the dispatcher know where to send a towing truck to a requesting customer.
Inasmuch as the company’s truck drivers are also connected to the main system, the available crew nearest the customer will receive a dispatch order to help the requesting customer. In any event, the dispatcher helps the responding crew find the fastest route to reach the requesting customer as quickly as possible. This is made possible by the real time traffic data that a dispatcher uses in identifying routes that require less travel time or with less traffic.
High Definition Digital Cameras
To help customers compile documentation to use in filing insurance claims, towing trucks are equipped with HD cameras. The high def digital cameras take real-time photographs of the vehicle in different angles. Actually, a truck’s digital camera also serves as protection of the towing company against unscrupulous vehicle owners who want to claim additional damage caused by the truck that towed the vehicle.
Digital Billing and Payment Systems
Towing companies can instantly request payment from customers by way of mobile banking or other modern online payment methods. Such digital payment systems are pre-registered with the towing company upon signing up as a customer.
This practice is acceptable since everyone knows that towing companies work only on a cash basis. That way, truck operators will not run out of working capital to pay for salaries, fuel, repairs, maintenance and toll fees.