Maldives,
a beautiful country often described as the heart of the Indian Ocean, is made
of isolated islands surrounded by water. Despite Maldives being a developing
country in several aspects, the isolation of every island has always been a
challenge in development of certain sectors such as sea transportation.
Sea
transportation has been the most frequently used method of transportation in
Maldives. However, traveling from one island to another is a hassle with no
modern solution. It is an industry that desperately needs to change. Not only
for the betterment of Maldivian islanders but also for tourists visiting
Maldives for the "island experience". With this in mind, Algo Blocks, a
software developing company established in 2018, started to develop their first
mobile application to digitize traveling in Maldives.
This
application "Goloca" is designed as a modern digital solution for both boat
operators and customers. The application theyve developed for customers,
"Goloca customer app" is a platform where you can reserve or purchase boat
tickets. It is also a platform where you can charter a speed boat for private
hire to travel from one destination to another.
The
application Algo Blocks has developed for boat operators, "Goloca service
provider app" is a total solution for all matters related to run the operations
of a boat. The application include features that helps the boat operators to
manage their fleet and their human resources.
Goloca
service provider app has the feature "fleet" where it requires to enter all the
information of a fleet, including safety certificate number, passenger capacity
and annual fee expiry. According to Algo Blocks, the main reason for this
feature is to provide a place where all the important documents can be accessed
to easily at time of an accident or an emergency. The information required in
this feature also allows to send a notification to keep all the documentations
up to date.
The
next feature in this application "schedule" allows the operators to keep their
trips scheduled. This feature allows to add multiple times and routes of a
fleet. The next feature in this application, "roster" allows to schedule boat
captains and crew members to the trips of the fleet. This feature will allow
the operators to maintain and monitor the working hours of their crew members.
While the feature "roaster" helps to manage the human resources of an operator,
the feature "HR" allows to completely monitor the attendance of crew members.
It also allows to manage leaves and holidays of crew members. This feature also
allows to manage the hotels and ticketing agents of an operator.
The
operators can monitor the details of every scheduled trip using the feature
"trip details". This feature will also allow the operators to cancel a trip if
needed. Using the feature "ticketing", operators and agents can enter the
tickets they are selling outside "Goloca" application. With this feature,
operators can continuously see the number of booked and available seats.
Through the application, boat operators can see the number of sold tickets and
keep their sales on track. This feature is meant to keep the records of sales
at convenience.
The
feature, "Guest check-in" helps to identify the exact number of passengers per
every trip. It also allows to keep track of passengers who have booked tickets
but not paid at the time of reservations.
The
next feature "notify" will allow to send a notification to all passengers if a
trip has been cancelled via trip details. This feature also allows send
boarding and departure notification to all passengers. Boat operators can also
customize a message through this feature regarding payment or a trip delay.
The
application Goloca service provider app was launched in April 2019 and their
Goloca customer app was launched in July 2019. Since this was one of the very
first mobile application of its kind, Algo Blocks has been developing on
improving the features of this application accordingly to the feedback of the
operators and their customers. According to Algo Blocks, even at present they
are working on several changes of Goloca service provider application to make
it more convenient and easier for the boat operators to use.
Goloca
customer app has over one thousand registered users and have 14 current live
destinations where you can get tickets. These destinations include, K.
Hulhule, K. Maafushi, K. Gulhi, B. Kendhoo, R. Maduvvari, R. Meedhoo, LH.
Kurendoo, LH. Naifaru, Lh. Hinnavaru, F. Nilandhoo, F. Magoodhoo, F.Bilehdhoo,
F.Feeali and F. Dharanboodhoo. Algo Blocks says that new operators are lined up
to join their application and new destinations will be live soon.
Algo
Blocks has also renewed their Goloca customer apps interface. Their new
interface gives a glimpse of where their business is headed. The new interface which
was updated in the first week of November 2019, shows the new upcoming features
"Hotels" and "Activities".
Currently,
Algo Blocks is working towards expanding their platform to local tourism. They
want to create a digital platform for customers where they can find means of
transportation, accommodation and excursions. With this application, Algo
Blocks wants you to go "local" and enjoy a hassle free vacation at Maldives.
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