Autocab sees rapid growth as taxi firms snap up new tech

Cheadle-based transportation software provider Autocab has become one of the fastest growing tech companies in the North West after changing its business model.

Originally founded in the era of two-way radios, the company has used its knowledge of the taxi sector to develop a consumer-facing app and SaaS-based (software as a service) booking and dispatch platform that is allowing local firms to combat the threat firms like Uber pose to rivals.

Following the transformation in 2015, more than 50% of the UK private taxi hire market has adopted Autocab’s software – including some of the largest firms in the UK, such as Manchester-based StreetCars, Boro Cars of Middlesbrough and Aqua Cars in Portsmouth.

Huge international interest has also seen the company expand into more than 20 countries around the world, which has helped the SaaS business grow at an average of 43% each year over the past four years.

“We realised we had to change our business model if we were going to help local taxi firms compete against Uber,” said chief executive Safa Alkateb.

“The growth of ride-hailing apps has completely changed the passenger market, turning the industry on its head.

“By investing in the latest technology and converting our business to a SaaS model, however, we have been able to provide a solution that was long overdue – and it’s levelling the playing field for local taxi firms.”

Autocab’s success has been built around the creation of a 24-person development team, which sits at the core of the business.

This has enabled the software provider to innovate quickly and continually provide new technology that is helping its customers to compete.

“The transition from hardware supplier to software supplier wasn’t easy,” said Safa.

“It was a bit like converting a propeller plane to a jet plane in mid-flight.

“But after a bumpy transition, we now have a profitable business and are looking to reinvest in further innovations.”

He added: “Not only are we helping taxi firms to transform their operations, we are also exploring ways that they can play a leading role in the technology revolution currently taking place in transportation and mobility.

“This includes developments in ride sharing, connected and autonomous vehicles, and the exciting emergence of Transportation-as-a-Service.”

Autocab’s booking and dispatch technology processes more than one million ‘trips’ around the world each day.

The company was established in 1991 to commercialise a hardware-based booking and dispatch system which was developed by computer scientist Dr Falah Abod to help his friends in the taxi industry.

The family-owned business has since evolved into a SaaS business that now employs 170 staff and operates in more than 20 countries.