Oxford-based online solutions provider, Ebbon-Dacs, has launched a new version of its vehicle delivery and collection solution, MoDel, following feedback from a user group comprising leasing companies, logistics providers and dealer groups.

MoDel, which was launched two years ago as a joint venture between Ebbon-Dacs and motor accessories supplier, VGroup International, completely automates the new vehicle delivery and used vehicle collection process, allowing users to instantly capture time-critical information and remarket their vehicles more efficiently and effectively.

The MoDel solution has been involved in the delivery of over 20,000 fleet vehicles since launch and is currently being used by eight major contract hire and leasing companies, who between them operate more than 350,000 company vehicles, as well as 300 dealers and 20 logistics companies.

The new version of the solution is currently being trialled by three dealer groups ahead of a national launch in the next few days.

The MoDel solution, which is available as an App for smart phones and other handheld devices, dramatically reduces the time taken to record delivery and handover information, verify the condition of vehicles and collect and analyse customer feedback.

As a result, leasing companies are able to take decisions about the remarketing of their vehicles far more quickly, often while the vehicles are still in transit with the logistics company.

The new version of MoDel includes improved photographic functionality to more accurately record and assess the condition of collected vehicles, along with more detailed, but easier to use, damage reporting which can be relayed instantly to end users, including leasing companies, auction houses and used car dealers.

The damage reporting functionality has been extended using a ‘flat car’ schematic to allow specific areas of the car to be captured in more detail, including individual items such as panels, door mirrors, windscreens, head lamps,  fog lamps, wheels and bumpers.

The new ‘walk around’ photographic functionality allows greater use of the smart phone’s camera to take ad hoc photos of the car being collected, as well as allowing leasing companies to identify any areas of the vehicle they would specifically like to focus on.

This vehicle condition information can then be uploaded instantaneously to trade sale websites, allowing used car traders to bid for the vehicle in an electronic environment and helping cut down the remarketing period to as short a time as possible.

The new version also has improved third party functionality which again facilitates faster remarketing.

Vehicles being delivered directly to auction houses, for example, usually go through a re-inspection process. Using the MoDel system, vehicles can now be re-inspected by the auction gatehouse to confirm existing damage, and add any additional damage, using an electronic vehicle condition form generated from the system which serves as a permanent record of the transaction.

All delivery and collection information generated through MoDel is automatically uploaded and immediately available to leasing companies through their file in the Leaselink e-procurement system.

With the new functionality and additional enhancements, MoDel can now also be used by logistics companies to deliver and collect vehicles for leasing companies which are not currently users of Leaselink.

Robert Pilkington, managing director of Ebbon-Dacs’ Leaselink International division, said: “Although MoDel has proved to be a real success since launch and is now widely used throughout the fleet industry in the new car delivery and used vehicle collection process, we felt that we could improve it by a combination of natural  evolution and end-user feedback.

“As a result of some great feedback from our user groups, we have now been able to provide end-users with greater functionality, more detailed reporting but improved ease of use through this latest version of the solution.

“We  have seen significant demand for MoDel because of its ability to completely automate the delivery and collection process and provide instant uploads into Leaselink,  which has allowed leasing companies to react far more quickly to vital remarketing information than they were able to before.

“With these latest enhancements and additional functionality, we expect this demand to increase and for its use to become even more widespread across the industry,” he said.

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