By Rightway Driving School

01/12/2013 To keep up with the “Facebook generation”, i.e. those who have grown up using the Internet and all things digital, a local Gold Coast driving school is introducing an online booking system.

A leading Gold Coast driving school recognises the needs of its “digital natives” customer base — the first generation to have grown up with Facebook — by introducing an online Customer Portal for its students.

Howard Dennerstein of Rightway Driving School said, "we are responding to the needs of teens and their families with the adoption of Australia's leading driving school booking system. Not only are our instructors connected via iPads with real time access but also students via our web based Customer Portal. This allows students to view, manage and make bookings with our instructors 24/7. They may also view transaction history, make payments and print invoices and receipts online. Customers may communicate with us directly from the Customer Portal”.

Approximately 28% of Australian businesses offer online sales/services, yet it is rare to find a driving school with online booking and service offerings. Rightway Driving School’s Customer Portal is a groundbreaking initiative on the Gold Coast.

The investment by local business Rightway Driving School to implement a new technology platform is aimed to improve the customer experience and reduce its environmental footprint. Howard Dennerstein said "the new technology allows for more efficient scheduling reducing fuel consumption with unnecessary traveling between appointments and a substantial move to a paperless operation".

The new system allows for email and SMS communication with customers for booking confirmations and appointment reminders. Howard Dennerstein said "sending appointment reminders directly to the student improves attendance, reduces embarrassment and unnecessary fees. Often parents will make appointments well in advance but may lose track of the appointment among their busy family and work schedules.”

The Driving School ManagerTM software co-founder, Tony Commisso said "working parents with ever increasing demands on their time find it very beneficial to check availabilities and make bookings outside of normal business hours. They like the fact that lessons are paid online rather than their child paying the instructor before the lesson. Customers find being able to check driving instructor availability and immediately making a booking very convenient. One of our software users takes approximately 35% to 45% of their bookings online, reflecting the ease of use and convenience of the Customer Portal. The system is available 24 hours a day."

New students are able to register as a student of Rightway Driving School online and start booking driving lessons immediately. The free “keys2drive” driving lesson is available be booked online using the Customer Portal.