Computers 2015, 4, 176-214; doi:10.3390/computers4030176 OPEN ACCESS computers ISSN 2073-431X www.mdpi.com/journal/computers Project Report A Cloud Based Mobile Dispatching System with Built-in Social CRM Component: Design and Implementation Cosmina Ivan * and Razvan Popa Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Automation and Computer Science, Technical University of Cluj Napoca, Baritiu 26, 400027 Cluj, Romania; E-Mail:
[email protected] * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
[email protected]; Tel.: +40-744-223-652. Received: 20 April 2015 / Accepted: 25 June 2015 / Published: 2 July 2015 Abstract: Mobile dispatching applications have become popular for at least two major reasons. The first reason is a more mobile-centric usage pattern, where users relate to apps for fulfilling different needs that they have. In this respect, a vehicle dispatching application for mobile phones is perceived as a modern way of booking a vehicle. The second reason has to do with the advantages that this method has over traditional dispatching systems, such as being able to see the vehicle approaching on a map, being able to rate a driver and the most importantly spurring customer retention. The taxi dispatching business, one of the classes of dispatching businesses, tends to be a medium to lower class fidelity service, where users mostly consider the closest taxi as opposed to quality, which is regarded as being at a relatively consistent level. We propose a new approach for the taxi ordering application , a mobile dispatching system, which allows for a more engaged user base and offers fidelity rewards that are used to enhance the customer retention level based on a built in social customer relationship management (CRM) component.