The connected car and the generation of so-called ‘big data’ is set to change the long-established fleet management model and spaces remain available to discover how the future will look at ACFO’s spring seminar.

‘Big Data - Big Seminar’ takes place on May 18 at Whittlebury Hall, Northamptonshire, with the event sponsored by Audi and Lex Autolease, the UK’s largest vehicle leasing and fleet management company.

The seminar will hear from Nick Mitchell, service and technical manager, Audi UK, on a manufacturer’s view of ‘big data’ and how it plans to use information from in-vehicle devices. Additionally, Craig McNaughton, corporate director, Lex Autolease, will deliver a leasing company’s perspective.

Supporters of ‘big data’ point to benefits that include reduced fleet vehicle downtime, safety and duty of care improvements and the early detection of faults and wear and tear before components ‘break’ thus reducing fleet service, maintenance and repair costs so aiding improved budgeting.

However, concerns have been expressed by fleet decision-makers surrounding potential ‘cyber attacks’ and data protection, notably with the May 25, 2018, introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation, which builds on existing data protection legislation with a particular focus on digitalisation and technology. It also introduces new “principles” of transparency and accountability with the ability to “prove consent” a significant pillar of the new regulations.

Tackling legal issues at the seminar will be Alex Ktorides, head of ethics and risk and a partner in the regulatory solutions team at legal and professional services firm Gordon Dadds, while ACFO member Ken Needham, director fleet and logistics at London-based estate agency Foxtons, which operates a 1,200 vehicles, will deliver the view on ‘big data’ from a fleet decision-maker’s perspective. The seminar will conclude with a question and answer panel session.

John Pryor, chairman of ACFO, the UK’s premier fleet decision-makers’ organisation, said: “We are currently at the tip of an iceberg. The arrival of ‘big data’ will have a major impact on fleet operations and company car drivers.

“Today’s connectivity is the start of the journey towards the autonomous car and while the secure exchange of data builds the foundations for new business activities and applications, there are significant risks and challenges regarding safety, security and privacy that need to be addressed.”

Pryor added: “The relationship between motor manufacturers, the vehicle leasing and fleet management industry, fleet decision-makers and company car drivers is set to change with the advent of ‘big data’ and connected vehicles.

“Fleet managers want clarity on what the issues are; they want to understand how suppliers such as vehicle manufacturers and contract hire and leasing companies will access and use ‘big data’; and, critically, they want to know what the law is in respect of managing and using ‘big data’ sourced directly from ‘intelligent’ vehicles.

“Every fleet is unique and how user-chooser and job-need fleets use and interpret ‘big data’ will potentially be different. But the seminar will see experts deliver independent views on the impact of ‘big data’ on fleet operations. It is then up to managers to analyse how ‘big data’ will then impact on their own vehicle operations and employees.”

During the day, Matt Rance, product manager, Audi UK, will highlight key current and future fleet models in the manufacturer’s range

The event starts at 9am with an opportunity to view a display of Audi cars and continues to 3pm. To book a space at the seminar email Fiona Spencer at info@acfo.org or go to www.acfo.org.

 

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