TRY US

5 MIN DEMO

DOWNLOAD NOW

GETTING STARTED

SMALL PRINT

F.A.Q.

GOT A QUESTION?

SECURITY ISSUES

Controller despatch software for courier, sameday, chauffeur, and taxi companies - F.A.Q.

We've included a list of some of the things we often get asked. If there is something you'd like to ask and is not on the list then please Ask Us

What hardware and operating system do I need to run Controller? The basic requirement to run Controller is Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows 2000. It will run at it's best if you also have a sound card, speakers, and a 17" monitor with a resolution of 1024 x 768. A broadband connection is also helpful as you can check for upgrades and use features such as email and texting. return

Does Controller work on Microsoft Vista Business and Vista Ultimate? Yes return

How much is Controller? We only offer a monthly licence of Controller. Currently the fee is £39.99 plus V.A.T. per month. This is an introductory offer applying to :

A basic one user Windows system
Downloaded from our web site
Supported by email
Paid by direct debit.

return

Will you write some bespoke software for me? Controller is not a bespoke software package.
However; Controller has many many options and settings, and we're fairly confident that there will be something in the configuration to help with what ever you need. Ask us if you're not sure. If there isn't anything in Controller which can help, we will consider adding what you require if we feel that it will benefit other Controller users.
The cost of Controller is low because it is not a bespoke program. If we were to write different software for different businesses, the cost is obviously going to be higher. In addition we would need a large support staff to help with all the different programs. Support costs would be very high. return

Can I run Controller on more than one computer? You can run Controller on as many computers as you like, however we charge for every simultaneous user. For example, if you have 6 computers in your office and you put Controller on each computer, we will only charge for those people who simultaneously log on to Controller. If you have 4 members of staff who want to use Controller at the same time - perhaps 2 telephonists taking bookings, one despatcher, and one accounts person; then you will need a 4 user license of Controller. return

How much for extra users? You can add as many users as you like to Controller, however extra users cost extra money. Currently the cost of extra users on our Windows software is £39.99 plus V.A.T. per month up to 3 users. This is with the same conditions above (internet download, email support, payment by direct debit etc.). If you want more than 3 users please contact us, and we will talk to you about your requirements and how much they will cost. return

How do I add a user? Simply telephone us on 07801 230680 and we will register your software for extra users. We will then write or email you, to let you know what your new direct debit payments will be. return

How can you charge so little, for so much? Because we have few overheads. We don't have a large sales force (in fact we don't have any!), and we don't operate from shiny glass offices. We have one piece of software which can easily be configured to the way you work. We are continually working on Controller and our web site to make our software easy to use with support from our web site. Therefore we don't have lots of programmers or lots of support staff (we don't need them). return

How do I know you won't put the fee for a month's use up? The answer really lays with our reputation. We have been in this business since 1987 and we very seldom advertise. Almost all of our business comes from word of mouth. We therefore cannot afford to upset people by making ridiculous increases in the monthly fee.

The chances are, if you are with us for a long time (most of our clients are), that at some stage we will put your monthly fee up A SMALL AMOUNT. If you look at our Terms and Conditions you will see that we review the fee paid on 1st December each year. We will tell you at least 14 days before 1st December if we are going to raise your fee. The fee is only raised to cover increased overheads, and we haven't found the need to raise fees in the last 4 years. return

How do I get support? You can get support from our "How Do I" flash tutorials. You can download our manual (although this is primarily for our DOS software you will find parts which can help). You can fill our a support request form or you can Contact Us. We are continually refining Controller together with our web site. Our aim is to make the software so easy to use that you don't need support, but if you do need support you can get your answer straight away from our web site. return

Can I have telephone support? You can but it's more expensive. Controller with telephone support starts at £120.00 plus V.A.T. per month for one user. If you really feel that this is what you want, then please Contact Us to discuss it. return

What's registration? Sometime after you download your software you will need to register it with us. This involves you telephoning or emailing us. You will be given a long number to enter into Controller, which allows you to use Controller for a period of time. return

I've registered once, why do I need to register again? You will periodically be asked to re-register your software with us. There is a very good reason for this. You may not believe it, bearing in mind how crucial Controller becomes to the businesses of those who use it; but sometime direct debits bounce back to us. If someone hasn't paid us; we find they suddenly remember they are in arrears when a little message appears on their screen asking them to register. Re-registration appears to have really magical affects on memory.

Re-registration is our credit control. As it is a much cheaper way of chasing payment (after all the debtor has to ring us!) it saves us money, and is another reason why we can offer Controller so cheaply. return

Do you ever register someone who hasn't paid you?

No - don't ask! return

Does Controller have postcodes? Yes, but the data is owned by a third party and must be bought from them. If you would like information on adding postcodes to Controller then please Contact Us and we can tell you where to buy the postcode database. return

Does Controller have a street database? Yes, but like the postcode database the data is owned by a third party and must be bought from them. If you would like information on adding a street database to Controller then please Contact Us and we can tell you where to buy the street database. return

I have a complicated charging and costing structure, can Controller be configured for it? We are confident that Controller can deal with almost every different type of charging and costing structures that courier, chauffeur and taxi companies are likely to have. We've been in this business since 1987, and have seen all kinds of different ways to charging and costing customers. Please talk to us and we are sure we will be able to show you how Controller can calculate your charges and costs automatically. Of course this means you won't be needed in the office any more - so what will you do with the extra time! return

This all seems very fair - where's the catch? It is - and there is none.

We pride ourselves on doing business in an up front and ethical way. We are not interested in 'tricking you' in to using our software. Firstly because, we try to live our lives in a fair and reasonable way. Secondly because, if you feel tricked then you're going to hassle us, and we don't want hassle. We just want to be free to do the things we love - writing software, paragliding and traveling. return

Who's "we"? Nigel Thomas who writes the software, and Frances Valdes who designs the web site and does the administration. return

Courier Systems. 8 Benett Avenue, Hove, East Sussex. BN3 6UR. Tel 07801 230680. Contact Us