Dealing with end-customer fleets that average less than two cars or vans each, demands very tight management and efficient, user-friendly access for independent brokers. This UK company had managed with legacy software for some years, but recognised that rather than simply managing the front-end processes, a truly modern system could provide added value for brokers, plus new and better ways to sell a whole range of financial products.

CALMS2 was selected as the core technology, after comparison with other offerings in the market, because it provided a close functional fit "off the shelf". As a Web 2.0 platform, it was also well suited to creating the new "self-serve" franchise experience.

The system, which went live in February 2012, allows them to sell a full portfolio of products, from contract hire to leasing and HP, all through the self-serve portal. A major advantage is the ability, quickly and easily, to offer manufacturer stock deals and specials – reconfiguring financial products and bringing new offerings to market almost on-demand. Data management is so much easier, with CAP (the leading UK provider of used vehicle values, future residual values and new vehicle data) information uploaded automatically overnight.

The new front-end POS solution manages the whole quoting process and is fully integrated with customer’s mid-office system, where the proposal is created – all transparent to the franchisee. Integration is achieved through the CALMS integration hub. Should a deal involve an especially high value vehicle, or one where the franchise may not want to do business, it can be referred to Head Office. Because the system is fully workflow-driven, it manages the conversations between Head Office and the franchisee.

For the franchisees, who are not tied-in, they can configure deals with full visibility so much faster, making it easier to do business with this fleet management company. This is already delivering incremental business, capturing deals even where there may be a slight financial disadvantage against competitors.

‘The success of this project is testimony to the ease and speed with which the CALMS platform can be tailored, using its integration hub,” says Nick Houlton, director, White Clarke Group. ‘We were delighted with the live project’s progress and the client is more than delighted with the very real business benefits it delivers,’ he added.

The system, replacing legacy software, went live in February 2012 and covers a full portfolio of products, from contract hire to leasing and HP, all through a self-serve portal. A major advantage is the ability, quickly and easily, to offer manufacturer stock deals and specials – reconfiguring financial products and bringing new offerings to market almost on-demand. Data management is so much easier, with CAP information uploaded automatically overnight.

The new front-end POS solution manages the whole quoting process and is fully integrated with customer’s mid-office system, where the proposal is created – all transparent to the franchisee. Integration is achieved through the CALMS integration hub. Should a deal involve an especially high value vehicle, or one where the franchise may not want to do business, it can be referred to Head Office. Because the system is fully workflow-driven, it manages the conversations between Head Office and the franchisee.

Nick Houlton, Director, White Clarke Group (pictured), said: 'For the franchisees, who are not tied-in, they can configure deals with full visibility so much faster, making it easier to do business with this fleet management company. This is already delivering incremental business, capturing deals even where there may be a slight financial disadvantage against competitors.

'WCG was commissioned to create the new POS franchisee experience, leveraging the Web 2.0 strengths of CALMS2. Its success is testimony to the ease and speed with which the CALMS platform can be tailored, using the CALMS integration hub,' he added.

'We were delighted with the live project’s progress and the client is more than delighted with the very real business benefits it delivers.'