Fleet software in the news
TOUGHER NEW YEAR ECONOMIC OUTLOOK PUTS FLEET FOCUS ON BUDGET CONTROL, SAYS JAAMA BOSS
Tougher economic conditions in 2008 will force businesses to tighten their purse strings prompting the increasing use of fleet management software to control costs.
That’s the view of Jason Francis, managing director of leading UK software and risk management company Jaama, who says the increasing utilisation of cutting-edge technology will enable fleet operators to meet tightening budget constraints.
Fuel management and Vehicle Configurator modules within Jaama’s Key2 Vehicle Management software will be among those features most in demand in 2008, predicts Mr Francis.
He said: “When the UK economy is buoyant there is less pressure on companies and their fleet/transport department to tighten the purse strings. However, economic uncertainty provides a focus for corporate senior management to call on all departments to focus on savings and cost cutting.
“In most cases the fleet savings demanded can only be achieved by utilising software that by exception, highlight for example, vehicles and drivers that are wasting fuel. Technology can also pinpoint the availability of more environmentally-friendly vehicles than those currently being operated.
“Introducing such vehicles to the fleet will not only cut P11D bills for company car drivers, but will also reduce fleet operating costs and trim a businesses’ carbon footprint.”
With UK fuel prices at record levels, Jaama’s investment in its web-based Key2 Vehicle Management fuel management module means fleet decision-makers can access transactions online from fuel card providers and match driver, vehicle registration number, allocated cost centre and direct incoming costs to the right centre. Tight management fuel expenditure controls, coupled with the ability to compare actual MPG against expected MPG - vehicle manufacturers’ urban, extra urban and combined MPG figures are automatically imported from CAP Motor Research - enables budgets to be carefully managed and interventions put in place where applicable.
Meanwhile, the Vehicle Configurator module helps businesses and drivers reduce their transport carbon footprint by pinpointing the most environmentally-friendly vehicles within company car policy guidelines, and saves significant fleet manager administration time.
Mr Francis also wants 2008 to be the year when companies operating a handful of vehicles wake up to occupational road risk compliance issues.
“In recent years there has been a major focus from fleet industry experts on encouraging companies to adopt best practice ‘at-work driving’ safety initiatives. While many businesses have taken action, I fear that there are thousands of organisations nationwide each running a few vehicles that have turned a blind eye to this issue,” he said.
“I hope that in 2008 and particularly before the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act is introduced on April 6, those organisations follow the larger companies and implement measures to protect their employees on the road and safeguard themselves from prosecution.”
The ultra-competitive UK vehicle leasing and rental industry has already provided Jaama with opportunities to supply sophisticated software systems to companies in the sector.
That trend will continue in 2008 according to Mr Francis, as established players must update their systems to remain competitive with Britain’s largest leasing and rental companies - particularly contract hire businesses operating more than 40,000 vehicles.
“Small to medium-sized companies are continually reviewing their IT strategies to enable them to compete with the big players. We have benefited from this and there are no indications that the trend will reverse,” he said.
“These small to medium-sized leasing and rental companies must develop to compete. While their larger competitors typically build their own systems, smaller organisations invariably buy an off-the-shelf product with rich functionality and then tailor it to meet their own individual requirements.
“That is where Jaama has been successful. Our core Key2 product has proved hugely attractive to leasing and rental companies. We have then worked hand-in-hand with these organisations to further develop the technology.
PR Contact details:
Ashley Martin
Ashley Martin Communications
Tel: 01733 390691, 07801 434338
Email: ashley.martin32@btopenworld.com
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About Jaama
Jaama is a fleet software and occupational road safety specialist. As a certified Microsoft® development partner, Jaama uses the latest technology to provide customers with greater integration, control and automation. It brings innovative vehicle management software to fleet operators, contract hire and leasing companies. And Jaama is the first to combine fleet management software and risk management services to help customers meet their driver health and safety responsibilities under occupational road safety regulations.
http://www.jaama.co.uk
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