Voice messaging is looking up with SkyMail communications

by Adam Ledlow

BLOOMFIELD, N.J. – Pacific Data Vision, a provider of instant voice Internet messaging platforms and wide area dictation applications, is looking to simplify the art of on-road communications with its SkyMail wireless dictation service.

SkyMail allows truck drivers to send a voice-recorded dictation (via cell phone) as an e-mail to one or many recipients, like dispatch personnel.

“SkyMail is a simple, wireless workforce solution that enables mobile workers, such as truck drivers…to dictate, document and share via e-mail critical and time-sensitive information with a dispatcher or customer care centre,” says John Pescatore, president and CEO of Pacific Data Vision.

Using a regular cell phone, the user selects a recipient from a predetermined address list, presses the phone’s “send” button and simply speaks their message (instead of typing it).

The voice message is sent directly to the recipient as an e-mail attachment and can be heard with the single click of a mouse.

The recipient is then able to respond with a text message to the user’s phone.

The system allows the user to send their message to up to 50 recipients at one time.

“The beauty of SkyMail is it’s strictly just another phone call,” Pescatore says. “There’s no training. Drivers can do what they do best: just drive and speak. They don’t have to navigate through any complicated menu system on the phone.

“They can prioritize visually (based on subject name) so it becomes a very efficient tool, whereas in the past, they would be trying to call their dispatcher via the phone (or walkie talkies) and there’s a tremendous amount of delay and lost calls.”

SkyMail can be used for transcription too, but speech-to-text wireless recognition from a wireless device is not 100% reliable, Pescatore says, and neither is scribbling notes on paper.

“A lot of things get lost when you put it down on paper. SkyMail is the quickest and easiest way to speak your notes, and then it can be transcribed later on,” Pescatore says.

Pescatore says the applications for the trucking industry are numerous, including allowing trucking teams to report service updates to the dispatchers’ shared e-mail box. Pre-programmed subject lines are designed to make it easier and faster for dispatchers to determine the update and the dispatcher can retrieve the message, determine its urgency and prioritize accordingly. Messages are time/date-stamped and stored online for record-keeping and accountability and truck drivers can manage their day without calling the service centre and waiting to speak with a dispatcher for routine tasks. SkyMail can also be used during time dispatch downtimes during evening and early morning hours.

SkyMail can be used as a one-to-one or a one-to-many application and all staff are able to use it – not just SkyMail subscribers. Pescatore describes the system as a non-intrusive and efficient way to communicate even when you don’t have time for a conversation.

“More importantly, the solution reduces cost, improves dispatch calls, and enhances the truck driver’s ability to deliver loads on time and on budget,” company officials said.

The user has two platform options for application. On the Sprint/Nextel network, the application works over a push-to-talk phone. The driver would use the walkie-talkie button to send the message instead of the “send” button. This format is known as NextMail. For non-Sprint customers, the SkyMail application is available through Pacific Data Vision. Both applications are available through most major carriers in the US and work with virtually any cell phone, no additional software and are not device or network specific.

Pescatore says he personally uses SkyMail about six to eight times per day while driving and it has all but replaced his need for text messaging. He is hoping the simplicity of the system will ease its adoption into the industry.

“It’s an instant, one-push type of messaging with less down time, more productivity, and basically it leads to profit advancement for our customers,” Pescatore says.

“The awareness of something like this isn’t out there, but once you use it, it’s habit-forming. We’re very excited about the opportunity.”

Though the service is not available for Canadian customers yet, Pescatore says the company is working to set the service up and hopes to deploy soon. SkyMail is available for $9.99 a month per user. For more information visit www.pacificdatavision.com.


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