Some Factors to Consider

Before purchasing CADS, planning, implementation, and integration with other systems should all be considered.

Planning and Integration

Identify capabilities that you're the system should include, such as reservations, prescheduling and rescheduling, vehicle tracking, and real-time communication. Existing processes, especially those that are the most troublesome, should be considered.
Develop a planning team with members representing different areas of the agency.
Consider how CADS will fit into the agency's larger Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) plan and how each component will be phased in. Ensure that CADS components are compatible with existing and planned technologies.
If CADS is the first system that will integrate data from numerous sources, time and effort will need to be spent on standardizing data. For example, information on addresses used in reservations should be compatible with the address nomenclature of the Geographic Information System (GIS) component of CADS.
CADS often must be customized to fit the specific needs of the agency's geographic area, reservation policies, and operating environment. A GIS component will be needed to map the service area.
Develop a well-structured procurement plan and performance-oriented requirements
Choose technologies with open standards and develop detailed documentation.
Ensure scalability for changes in fleet size and system flexibility to allow for additional functionality.

Implementation

Implementation of CADS may significantly impact how some employees conduct their jobs. Make sure that adequate time is planned for training for each type of employee. Include training and ongoing technical assistance as part of the procurement contract.
Testing and troubleshooting will be necessary to ensure that the system is working as designed. Consider running CADS in parallel with existing tools during a learning period.
Other technologies that may need to be updated include GPS, reservations, and billing software.