PickMe, who introduced their breakthrough technology to the local market in June this year, has now made two new extensions to the Application, which will expand their language base.

The new extensions to the technology are the Sinhala and Tamil interfaces, which is a huge impetus for the Company’s plans to broad-base their services to the rest of the island next year. PickMe services are different to that of any of their international competitors as the Company operates from the lower, middle and high end of the markets, providing their customers with three-wheelers, mini cabs as well as sedans.

PickMe technology contributes to the economy in a unique and innovative way. Its business solutions level the playing field, enabling individual entrepreneurs to reach out to the mass market in a sustainable manner due to the strong link created between the taxi, who is the service provider, and the customer. PickMe cabs don't ply the roads looking for customers as the GPS system allow customers to look for the closest cab and hail it, smartphone to smartphone. A survey conducted by the company shows that there is a 50 percent reduction in fuel wastage by taxi owners linked with the PickMe system, which is not only helping from an environment point of view but also, in terms of these savings, actually helping to make a viable business for drivers.

One PickMe driver who has been in the Company’s service, for just 4 months says, “I worked at a cab service before and my vehicle was a Nano Cab. There were times when I could not even afford the lease payment for my vehicle while I was at my previous job. Therefore, I quit and started running solo with the firm belief that I will make it work somehow by myself. But pressures on me were immense; it is very hard to do something like this on your own. I had only one vehicle and yet it was very difficult to manage. While searching for other opportunities to save my declining business I found PickMe. It worked so well in these few short months that now I have bought a new vehicle and even hired a driver for my old vehicle, which also runs for PickMe. So I believe I can make a profit with PickMe."

Jiffry Zulfer, the Entrepreneur and CEO of PickMe says that the technology-based formula is one of his most successful ventures to date. He says, “I have been involved in many start-up companies, using the power of modern technology to find cost effective solutions for all stakeholders; but for me, PickMe has proven to be one of the most successful home-grown endeavours, which has caught the interest of big investors who see great opportunity in this solution. We like to think of PickMe as beyond just a service provider for people to get from point-A to point-B, because there are varied opportunities for individual entrepreneurs and service providers to benefit from the ever-expanding footprint of our technology. What is even more relevant is that we are a 100 percent Sri Lankan-owned Company who understand the needs of the Sri Lankan populace and therefore are able to provide services in a more responsive manner.”

Other recent extensions to PickMe include their Business Portal, which gives enterprises the opportunity to provide safe and convenient travel for their employees; and ETA Sharing, which allows passengers to share their live trip details with a family member or friend including estimated time of arrival, pickup time and location, taxi details and route taken.

The Sinhala and Tamil interfaces are just two stages of the extensive expansion the Company has developed in broadening their language base as they are currently working on several other interfaces. The CEO says this will give PickMe a cutting-edge advantage whilst supporting their varied customer base.

Photo - Project Manager- Irfan Mohideen, Head of Operations- Thivanka Perera, and CEO of PickMe Jiffry Zulfer on stage.