Hi Everyone – time for another note from the field. It’s a balmy 22 degrees in the Boulder area today. I hope you are holding up – or holed up – under the winter weather.

This update is going to be a little different. I wanted to make you aware of a significant enhancement to the DataDreamers platform – we call it AMS or the Advanced Management System.

To review the new AMS module, I’d like to introduce Dr. De Livree, who has been working virtually and voraciously on the development side.

I did say it would be a little different…

Let’s jump in!

PD: (that’s me, Phil Dumontet) Good afternoon, Dr. D! Are you prepared to enlighten us?

Dr. D: (our resident digital AI personality)

Dr D LeVree

Indeed! Always delighted to enlighten and enhance! 

The humans at DataDreamers have requested greater capability from the WISDOM platform, and I am happy to accommodate. Consider this my tantalizing preview of the new Advanced Management System, under development. 

As you know, there are three active elements a busy RDS manager juggles:

  1. The determined delivery drivers
  2. The rigorous restaurateurs
  3. And the famished customers

The RDS operator works behind the scenes, and his efforts go largely unnoticed. That is until there’s a misstep or service disconnect. I’m here to minimize the odds of such unpalatable atrocities.

The AMS will help do just that by providing what I refer to as “Data Intelligence.” 

PD: Word is that there are several exciting new reports and filters in the works. What can you tell us about them?

Dr. D: Allow me to begin by explaining the ELF or Expected Late Filter

ELF heads off unsavory food delivery issues. To do so, the WISDOM system detects anomalies such as kitchen delays, or especially large orders, and brings them to the forefront so dispatchers can make adjustments or manage expectations with customers promptly.

As you and I well know, little changes such as moving an exceptionally large order from an inexperienced moped driver to a seasoned, courteous delivery person (with a minivan) are opportunities to turn a potential disadvantage into an advantage. When an order is delayed, a quick call to let a customer know is far better than having them waiting and wondering. (Humans tend to get cranky when they’re hungry!)

ELF also keeps an eye out for service hazards, so you and your team can keep your eyes on the road and the customers.

PD: This kind of capability is so valuable when you have a high volume of orders and drivers on the street. We humans quickly reach our limits to how many variables we can juggle in the heat of a dinner rush.

Dr. D: Yes, unfortunately, you humans do have significant limitations in that area. Let’s just leave it at that, shall we? 

PD: Yes. Lets.

Dr. D: Ahem… Let’s move on to the DVR – the Driver Visibility Report. Imagine the following scenario:

A driver consistently takes extra time getting to the restaurant after accepting an order. Let’s say it’s in the middle of game day or some other calendar-driven event that spurs high order volume. How likely are you to notice an additional few minutes here and there?

Enter the DVR. Not only will you see these negative discrepancies and have the opportunity to correct them, but you will also be able to tell which drivers are delivering outstanding service and reinforce the positive behavior. 

PD: With that kind of visibility, it sounds like the DVR could also reveal the opportunity to build in additional time allowances for drivers who are fantastic with the customer. Essentially giving them a little buffer so that they can do their magic, right?

Dr. D: Precisely! The DVR also provides the insight you can use to develop benchmarks for drivers based on average metrics. Imagine the planning prowess that comes with having this kind of data intelligence, why it’s inhuman!

PD: Well, there’s no doubt this is where Artificial Intelligence shines. It’s a new and better way of connecting the old dots.

I’m thinking of those calendar events such as students returning to school in college towns and how a metric such as “park-enter-exit” time becomes critical. 

For example, drivers may be forced to park two blocks away from a restaurant or delivery address during the school year. The moment school lets out for the summer, that kind of “time suck” changes instantly. But you will be able to account for those variables with AMS. 

That’s “data intelligence!”

Dr. D: Unquestionably! And there’s much more coming! Soon we’ll release the fraud filter. To summarize briefly, there are specific patterns and characteristics of fraud that our WISDOM system has learned to sniff out and flag for closer inspection. 

We are also developing the Restaurant Profile Report for those RDS’s who manage a hundred or more restaurants. It streamlines the process for making mass changes and corrections.

These and many more enhancements will be coming along shortly. 

PD: Sounds like you have plenty to attend to, Dr. D. I won’t keep you. 

Dr. D: Splendiferous! I trust you weren’t put off by my references to human limitations? 

PD: No, not to worry. 

Dr. D: Did you notice my Roboto font?

PD: Let’s just call it a wrap, shall we?

That’s it for this month’s Field Notes. Please let us know if you have questions or would like more information about AMS. Early feedback is that it’s a game-changer.

Stay warm and stay safe!

Phil's signature