b'W ith new technology touching nearly everycame together in 2015, which set the wheels in motion aspect of our lives, todays digital-savvyto develop a customized relationship around Tyler Drive. parents expect a certain level of transparency We needed a solution for our operational, reporting from their childrens school bus providers.and data analytic needs for a fleet of our size, Suhre Although budget issues and the ongoing strain ofshared. The back office needed to integrate updated driver shortages continue to obstruct transportationroutes from our central location operating platform, departments nationwide, most districts are still eager todisplay them on our mapping platform and feed infor-implement the latest technology. Districts want to retainmation back into our systems.drivers, provide accurate ridership data and give parentsTed Thien, vice president and general manager of the peace of mind they demand via parent-facing apps. Tylers Student Transportation Group, said back office School bus contractor First Student is rising to theintegration is key. You cant make tablets work without challenge of equipping 42,000 buses across North Amer- data flowing back and forth in real time, he added. Its ica with tablets, by teaming up with Tyler Technologies. staggering how much data that is, and the level of inte-Tyler and First Student have been working togethergration required to make it function properly, but Tyler for over 20 years, said Rich Licht, strategic account ex- and First Student are committed to making it a success.ecutive for Tyler Technologies. We were one of the onlyLicht described the challenges of developing tablet companies with our own software and tablet back then.software for First Student. Rolling out new technology is First Student has always been a technology leader, so itan ongoing process, he explained. Weve deployed the was logical to work together. tablet in seven different sites for testing feedback.Dean Suhre, senior vice president at First Student, saidWhile First Student did not have data to share from those North Americas largest school bus contractor needed apilot projects, a location manager for one of the company solution that checked many boxes. The two companiescontracts, Michelle Taber, said she already likes the elim-\x1f\x1e\x1e\x1d\x1e\x1c\x1b\x1d\x1a\x1c\x19\x1fNationwide Push-To-Talk \x18 \x18 \x18\x17\x16\x15\x14\x13\x12\x13\x11\x10\x0f\x11\x0e\x17\x0c\x0bTRADE-IN Your CurrentWorking 2-Way Radios& Get FREE Radios!\x1f\x1e\x1d\x1c\x1b\x1a\x19\x18\x17\x16\x1d\x15\x1b\x1c\x19\x14\x1b\x19\x13\x18\x15\x17\x12\x11\x11\x10\x0fDTP8900 DTP8750 DTP9750Mobile Mobile Portable AFFORDABLEUnlimited Service Planswith Nationwide 4G LTESecured Data Coverage. 46School Transportation NewsSEPTEMBER 2019'