Fleet briefs: Latest from Targa Telematics, Trakm8, Auto Platforms, Allstar and Agility Fleet

Targa Telematics integrates BMW and MINI connected fleet data

Targa Telematics has signed a strategic partnership with BMW to expand its portfolio of solutions for connected mobility.

As part of the agreement, Targa Telematics said it can integrate a stream of connected car data also from BMW and MINI vehicles directly into its platform.

This enables the company to provide its customers with a suite of GDPR compliant telematics solutions, without the operational overhead of installing aftermarket hardware into the vehicles, it said.

Alberto Falcione, VP sales at Targa Telematics, said: “Car manufacturers are looking to embrace the future and are increasingly opening their connected vehicle data to third-party specialists, where expertise in data capture can then turn vehicle data into meaningful performance insights.

“In this context, we are leveraging our proprietary ‘hardware agnostic’ platform which can collect, integrate and analyse data from every car manufacturer and simplify telematics technology, thus reducing the impact of device installation.

“We constantly work to innovate our smart mobility services and solutions to increase the value for our customers and concretely build the mobility of the future.”

Vertas partners with Trakm8

Vertas has partnered with Trakm8 to help enhance the operating efficiency of its 280-vehicle fleet.

Vertas covers a multitude of services and utilises a mixed fleet consisting of vans, pool cars, mini-buses, and coaches.

Trakm8 said Vertas approached the company to install telematics systems in its fleet to support the company’s mission to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Additionally, the company were looking to track and manage the fleet, reduce vehicle downtime, and help staff to take ownership of their driving by reducing fuel inefficient driver behaviours.

The utilisation of Trakm8’s solutions will take a two-phased approach, with Trakm8’s C330 plug-in solution to be installed initially across Vertas’ entire fleet. Later in the year, the system will be upgraded to Trakm8’s RH600 system.

Lee Howes, head of fleet and passenger transport at Vertas, said: “Using the telematics technology Trakm8 can provide gives us assurances that we can manage our vehicle and driver efficiency to assist us in reaching our target of carbon neutral by 2030.

“Trakm8 was the obvious choice as we wanted an immediate solution that could be integrated initially as a plug-in solution, whilst then having the option to provide a more extensive service as we worked on upgrading our fleet later this year.”

Agility Fleet rolls out Jaama Key2

Agility Fleet has rolled out Jaama’s Key2 business solution to help modernise its business systems.

Agility Fleet has on-boarded Key2 to integrate and manage all aspects of its fleet business from asset and contract management to quoting and finance.

The cloud-based system replaces a legacy system and helps enables the management of Agility’s contract hire and short-term leasing proposition as well as fleet management products and services such as whole life cost analysis and accident management.

Richard Walsh, head of fleet partner is responsible for broker partnerships. He said: “Our old software was nowhere near as accessible for our brokers to use and was also restrictive for our fleet partners.

“Jaama’s Key2 product offers an extremely user-friendly experience that gives brokers more options to provide quotes from the cloud-based platform, which extends their reach. We are using the power of Key2 to support our broker recruitment programme.”

Herd Group partners with Allstar ServicePoint

Allstar and Herd Group have announced a new partnership that will help streamline service, repair, and maintenance (SMR) to fleet customers.

Allstar ServicePoint will deliver a range of bespoke services to fleet drivers via the Herd Connect platform including booking management services, vehicle off-road (VOR) management, network management, job requests and authority management.

The partnership will give fleet customers access to a nationwide network of repairers, both franchise dealer and independent, that helps meet service, maintenance, and repair (SMR) requirements.

Mike Cooke, group fleet director at Herd Group, said: “SMR management is a key element of the Herd Connect offering.

“The businesses with which we work are looking for high quality, cost effective, compliant, and easy-to-use vehicle maintenance that minimises downtime.

“As a digital solution for booking and SMR management that integrates into our own fleet management system for greater automation and efficiency, Allstar ServicePoint helps us to deliver SMR to our network of customers and digital infrastructure for our Herd Hire daily rental service via our 18-strong franchise network.”

Product name change for Auto Platforms

The MotorLease brand of website and CRM company, Auto Platforms, is changing its product name to MotorComplete as it seeks to double its current leasing broker subscriber base.

The change in name is effective immediately. 

Anthony Flack, managing director at MotorComplete, said the switch to MotorComplete has been precipitated by a naming dispute with another company, and a change of product name was requested.

Flack added: “We have no issue with rebranding from MotorLease to MotorComplete, it’s more about the real service we provide.

“It gives us an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to the leasing broker market and push for further growth.

“We’re looking to double the number of brokers we service. As we look to challenge the status quo of website design and CRM provision, to make it as easy as possible for brokers to lease cars and vans.”

Flack said the company will ensure an “integrated switch with a smooth transfer of client data and no loss of website provision”.