Multi-marque VGL, which funds a fleet of 47,700 vehicles, has determined growth plans in the fleet market. After a review of its internal processes and the available systems in the market,  VGL opted for the Leaselink e-procurement system from  Oxford-based online solutions provider,  Ebbon-Dacs,  which is currently used by 10 of the UK's 15 largest contract hire and leasing companies to source and buy their new vehicles.

VGL has created a dedicated buying team to handle all new vehicle orders from fleet customers. By using Leaselink, it can also access all vehicle manufacturers and the Leaselink multi-marque buying community of approved franchised network across the UK to ensure that it is capable of delivering all major brands to fleet customers.

VGL expects to see efficiencies in three key areas of the new vehicle ordering process quickly, following the implementation of Leaselink. The first is in the reduction of phone calls and emails necessary to place and confirm an order, and early indications are these have already fallen significantly.

The second area is in data accuracy which reduces not only time but administrative workload as there are fewer errors. And the third area is improved and more focused communication with the network.

'We have already seen a transformation in our dialogue with the network, which is now not so frequent but far more targeted and focused around key information,' said VGL joint managing director, Graham Wheeler. 'We have also been able to use the system to communicate directly with fleet customers to warn them of impending price rises and advise them to pull forward orders where necessary to avoid them,' he said.

Another benefit of the Leaselink system is its complete integration with new vehicle information provided by CAP Motor Research. 'We may be experts in our own brands, but the CAP information within Leaselink also allows us to build up and display our expertise within other brands,' added Graham Wheeler.

Once a new vehicle order is placed, Leaselink allows all parties involved in the order process to track the vehicle from sale through to delivery. This has proved beneficial in keeping fleet customers up to date with the whereabouts of their new vehicle order within the supply chain.

Rob Pilkington, managing director of the Leaselink International division of Ebbon-Dacs, commented: 'We are absolutely delighted to add VGL to the Leaselink family of companies that source, order and track their vehicles electronically.

'Leaselink has been proven to increase efficiency, raise productivity, broaden capacity, reduce errors and save money. Buyers achieve better service levels, while the network can handle and execute a much greater number of enquiries, and we are confident that VGL will see all of these benefits for themselves over time,' he said.