After a relatively sedate Summer and early Autumn, the on-site production team at Platform Europe is looking forward to the challenges of the next two large international events in Düsseldorf: A+A and Medica.

The only annoying aspect of being a participant at a really busy show can be the lack of taxis. Düsseldorf has a brilliant public transport system: trains, buses and trams are frequent, reliable and punctual and, even better, exhibitors and visitors at Messe Düsseldorf events enjoy free transport on their way to and from the exhibition centre.

However, for those who do want to take the occasional taxi, it can entail a long – and at Medica possibly cold – wait at a taxi rank. Or you try and book a cab only to realise the operator might not properly understand you. Alternatively, they assure you that a taxi is on its way but there will be a wait but they cannot tell you how long. So, do you get ready and stand outside the hotel, shop, restaurant, Messe – in the cold or rain – and wait, or do you wait inside and then risk breaking a limb in your attempt to get outside as quickly as possible when the taxi does arrive lest somebody else snatches it…?

Now help is at hand for smart phone users via the “my taxi” app (www.myTaxi.net). When you book a taxi using the app, not only will you know instantly if a driver is available, you also know where he is, how long he will take to get to you, you can follow his progress on a street map, you will be given his name and mobile number. You can even find out how much the journey will cost and, best of all, he will send you a notification when he is a few hundred metres away which gives you enough time to come down the stairs, put on your coat, fetch your suitcase, pay your bill, or finish whatever else you were doing – safely.