The four-year development programme, which saw Fleet Assist collaborate closely with its contract hire and leasing company customers, has resulted in a bespoke suite of programmes that allows the organisation to manage all aspects of its business in one system. 

The system allows Fleet Assist to store extensive information on each of the 7,000-plus service outlets in its national network. In addition to the trading terms that are in place with each garage, it holds data on what types and sizes of vehicles a garage can accommodate as well as information on the range of services available from a garage. It also stores copies of both the physical and remote audits that Fleet Assist regularly carries out on garages. 

To support the service booking team, the system also has a flexible policy section that allows Fleet Assist’s customers to define a detailed work direction policy, giving the flexibility to drive work into the most appropriate repairer for that job on a specific day. 

At the core of the system is a user programmable task management module that allows the company to build process trees to manage the many varied services it currently offers to its customers. That allows Fleet Assist to react quickly to a change in process and develop bespoke products and services for both existing and new clients. 

The platform also has the capability of accepting data feeds from external sources, including in-vehicle telematics systems, thus providing Fleet Assist with the ability to identify when services are required and tackle potential faults at the earliest possible stage so maintenance work can be undertaken. 

Vincent St Claire, commercial director, Fleet Assist, said: “The enhancements made enable our customers to work in harmony with the ‘connected car’, which is rapidly emerging as data emanating from telematics devices, smartphone-type technology and autonomous safety technology begins to have a huge impact on the way fleets choose, operate and manage their cars and vans. 

“Fleet Assist’s Atlas platform is truly 21st century with the capability to further develop data, management information and services to enable contract hire and leasing companies to drive ever more efficient operations to the benefit of their own customers.”