INFORMATION technology holds the key to the future of every aspect of the fleet industry. Fleets want sophisticated communication links with leasing and fleet management companies, who demand the same level of contact with their own suppliers.

Bryan Gale, PHH Vehicle Management Service's business solutions manager, said: 'We have a fleet management customer with a major criterion that we could send invoices electronically.' He said IT offered customers and suppliers information for better management control. He cited the DVLA's electronic relicensing initiative as an example of technology tackling paper intensive business processes. He said leasing and fleet management companies should help customers adopt new systems wherever they were on the technology ladder.

'As an industry we will be getting hold of leasing and fleet information easier and quicker by leveraging technology solutions, but the driver of technology will still be business requirements and in our industry the leasing and fleet management policy is key,' concluded Gale.