The fleet market is moving at such a pace that fleet decision makers and their drivers increasingly require access to leasing and fleet management information, facilities and functionality, and often from remote locations through devices such as smart phones, mobile internet channels and Apps.

But, in this new mobile information race, how leasing and fleet management companies respond to these demands will set them apart and give them a competitive edge in a mature and congested marketplace, says fleet software solutions experts Sofico.

Sofico argues that to be able to meet these new on-line generational requirements, in which information will need to be available through a variety of remote access devices to keep drivers and fleet managers in touch and informed, fleet suppliers such as leasing and fleet management companies require the very latest in sophisticated, flexible software solutions.

And it is here where many existing legacy systems, often inherited through acquisition, merger or takeover, lack the architecture, modern technologies and inherent flexibility necessary to support the need for on-demand information and to deliver true multi-channel, high-value customer service.

Roger Smith, head of Sofico UK, believes that several leading UK contract hire and leasing companies are already moving ahead in providing information in this way for fleet customers, to the extent that the rest of the leasing industry will need to respond quickly simply to keep up.

“However, many are held back by high cost systems and increasingly unwieldy application landscapes. They are in real danger of being left behind in this new mobile information race,” he said.

“With the advent of mobile internet, telematics and mobile and smart phone Apps, the thirst for information is relentless and increasing, but to fulfill that need, leasing companies require flexible, modern and fast fleet software solutions that don’t require major investment when opening them up to multi-channel use.”

Smith added: “We are aware of some leasing companies who are spending heavily on developing web and mobile internet based systems , when a total back-office and fully web enabled modern solution like our own Miles system is readily available for far less.

“Why sink costs into a technologically obsolete, rigid application environment with high on-going costs, low flexibility, inherent complexity and poor multi-channel support capabilities, when a modern, agile solution is already out there?”

Sofico’s second generation Miles software system was launched in the UK last year and is currently being implemented at two UK leasing companies, with ongoing discussions with several more. It is built on internet technology and provides a platform for delivering interactive services in a way that is totally complimentary to leasing company back-office operations.
 

More articles on: