The automotive IT solutions provider claims that slim used vehicle volumes have pushed buyers to online auctions and other sources in greater numbers.

Gary Gibson, Head of Customer Service at Epyx, believes that heading online for stock avoids unnecessary time on the road.

“Online sourcing means that dealers can get hold of quality used cars and vans without having to leave their premises,” he said.

“Even if they want to see a vehicle in the metal before buying, online sales mean that they sort the wheat from the chaff, minimising wasted journeys.

“At a time when there is huge pressure on profitability among dealers, being able to maximise the use of your time in this way is an obvious advantage, and we are seeing evidence that more and more dealers are becoming comfortable with buying online.”

Gary adds that setting up intelligent alerts can help buyers secure the models they need.

He explains: “This could be in response to a specific request – the customer who wants a three year BMW 320d in a silver metallic with satnav – or it could be that you simply want to know about any two-four year old Vauxhall Corsa diesels because they always move quickly off your forecourt.

“It potentially brings a degree of precision to the used car buying process that is really not available through any other means.”

Mr Gibson signed off stating how dealers are benefitting by acquiring stock online faster, cheaper and more efficiently while fleets recognise the benefits of selling through an online tool.

Through the brand partners with which Epyx operates, including motor manufacturers, consumers can make service and maintenance bookings online from a directory of more than 16,000 outlets including franchise dealers, independent garages and fast fits.

Gary Gibson, Epyx’s Head of Customer Services, said: “During its history of almost 10 years, 1link Service Network has been primarily a means for fleets to do business with service providers and that still very much accounts for a large portion of our transactions.

“However, over the last couple of years, we have worked increasingly with several retail facing partners and motor manufacturers to provide access to 1link for retail customers.”

Mr Gibson added that in recent years, bookings have spewed in thick and fast, especially during 2011 which saw a tenfold increase, and Epyx will be looking to add even more major brands to its portfolio over 2012.

He concluded: “On manufacturer websites, the booking process is also very straightforward.

“It is a question of guiding the customer towards the most convenient franchise outlet and confirming the work as close to their required date as possible.”

The automotive-focussed IT solutions provider introduced the new Auction Allocation function into the 1link Disposal Network halfway through 2011, a move that has reaped strong results so far.

Gary Gibson, Epyx’s Head of Customer Services, predicts the process to become one of the key fleet technology trends.

“Auction Allocation is very much a development that fits into the needs of the times,” explains Gary.

“This year looks set to be another tough one for fleets and being able to effectively automate disposal into motor auctions, which can be very time consuming and requires a considerable degree of expertise, represents real benefits in terms of time and effort.

“Certainly, the prices that we are seeing from the early adopters of Auction Allocation suggest that the system is proving effective.

“There is a considerable groundswell under this product among fleets that use auctions and we believe that this kind of automatic disposal will be one of the key fleet technology trends of 2012.”

Mr Gibson reckons that the technology could be used with a wider choice of disposal routes i.e. including used car dealers.

“We believe that this is very much an area in which online vehicle disposal can be developed in the coming years,” he added.

“This is epyx’s fastest growing platform. Fleets are rapidly recognising the advantages of selling through an online tool – whether that means online sales or managing a physical auction sale – while dealers are learning that acquiring stock online is a faster, cheaper and generally more efficient way to do business.”

The involvement of Epyx’s e-commerce platform is tied in to a new Fleet Charter which outlines Toyota and Lexus’ commitments towards sales and aftersales for fleet customers and exceeding customer expectations in this area.

Ewan Shepherd, General Manager of Fleet and Remarketing at Toyota and Lexus, stressed that delivering a superior aftersales experience to fleet customers was considered vital to the brands.

“Using 1link e-commerce technology for menu pricing is an important element of this, providing the means for us to take complete control over service and maintenance content,” commented Ewan.

“Our strategy is to offer maximum capped labour and oil rates with a guaranteed parts discount and maximum MOT charge out.

“It is all about being as transparent with fleets as possible.”

Gary Gibson, Epyx’s Head of Customer Services, was delighted with Toyota’s decision and expected strong results.

He concluded: “Using our technology to take control of menu pricing in this way is a proven way in which Epyx can help manufacturers to increase the attractiveness of their franchise networks to fleet customers.”

Considering over 2m vehicles and 16,000 franchise dealers, independent garages and fast-fit centres who use their 1link e-commerce platforms, epyx is proud of the 99% accessibility rate of availability for fleets.

Gary Gibson, Head of Customer Services, revealed that epyx now has servers in Seattle, Frankfurt, Singapore, Tokyo and Sydney.

“Fleets and dealers rely on our 1link platforms being available online at the moment they need them in order to carry out crucial business transactions in areas such as service and maintenance, daily rental and vehicle disposal,” he explained.

“The new global network of servers means that any issues that threaten access to the platforms – from server failure to regional internet outages and even including natural disaster and terrorist attack – can simply be routed to another part of our network.

“It really does provide a very high degree of reassurance for users.”

The fast and accurate 1link e-commerce platforms have become the industry standard for online trading between fleets and dealers.

A deal was recently sealed between Epyx and the Leasedrive Group which will see the independent vehicle management group use 1link Disposal Network for the next four years.

David Bird, MD at the Leasedrive Group, revealed that the 1link Disposal Network was used separately by Leasedrive and Velo before their merger in 2007.

“It proved a highly successful disposal management tool after the two companies joined forces,” he explained.

“Signing a new four-year deal, which includes the ex-Masterlease fleet under the arrangement, makes perfect sense.

“We need a flexible and effective method of controlling our disposal activity for our combined fleets going forward and 1link Disposal Network provides this.”

Gary Gibson, Head of Customer Services at epyx, said the agreement was good news for dealers who use 1link Disposal Network to acquire used vehicle stock, giving them access to large numbers of high quality used cars and vans at a point in time when supply remains slim.

“In addition to the existing Leasedrive disposals, the arrival of Masterlease on the platform adds about 15,000 vehicles annually to our volumes,” he added.

The award-winning Cambridge-based company has chucked out its clunkier previous software in favour of the slicker new e-commerce platform, Marshall will be able to juggle bookings and invoicing online for the first time with a faster, more accurate process and at a lower cost.

Martin Brown, Operations Manager at Marshall Leasing, was already familiar with epyx’s 1link Service Network and 1link Relicensing platforms which have been in place at Marshall for some time.

“As a company, we carefully choose the technology that we adopt with the aim of to reducing processing costs and increasing service standards to our customers,” he said.

“In line with the other 1link platforms that we use, Hire Network will allow us to meet these objectives.”

For major fleets, 1link Hire Network enables online easy comparison of multi-supplier quotations and subsequent booking.

Ken Trinder, Head of Business Development at epyx, added: “We have a longstanding and successful relationship with Marshall Leasing, and are very pleased to see them embrace use of another product from the 1link portfolio.”

Marshall Leasing was named Fleet Services Company of the Year at 2010’s ACFO Awards [link] and was shortlisted at 2011’s FleetNews Awards.

With offices in the capital and Nottingham, ARC’s 350 strong fleet features some of the less widely accessible models in the rental market with a number of 4x4s, executive cars and specialist vans.

Chris Moysen, Sales and Marketing Director, says ARC strives to offer something new by filling in the gaps around mainstream rental provision.

“If you need a van with slam locks, a vehicle with roof bars, a 4×4 with a tow bar, a pick-up with offroad capabilities, or an executive car from Audi, BMW or Mercedes, we can help,” he explains.

“Originally, our business was very much targeted towards the accident management market but we are doing more and more general fleet business as our offering becomes better known, so joining 1link Hire Network makes a lot of sense at this point in time.

“It will enable us to significantly increase our potential reach into the fleet market place and transact existing business more efficiently.”

For purchasers of daily rental services such as major fleets, 1link Hire Network enables online easy comparison of multi-supplier quotations and subsequent booking.

Ken Trinder, Head of Business Development at epyx, said ARC’s addition contributed a welcome dose of variety: “We have had dozens of rental companies sign up to 1link Hire Network during 2011 but ARC are one of the more interesting.

“Their offering to the fleet sector is possibly unique and should gather much interest.”

Already a 1link convert, the nationwide chain has been using the platform to service company cars for many years however it will now service and maintain vans and light trucks up to 3.5 tonnes too.

Bill Duffy, Chief Exec at Halfords Autocentres, hopes the move will attract new customers: “We are very keen to attract more business from LCV fleets and signing up to 1link as a supplier of service and maintenance for this sector is a key step forward in this strategy.

“We already make extensive use of the 1link platform as part of our relationship with major company car and van fleets and it has proven very successful for us in terms of processing fleet work quickly and accurately. The same should be true for commercial vehicles.”

Ken Trinder, epyx’s Head of Business Development, was glad to add Halfords to the ever-growing list of 1link users.

He commented: “Halfords Autocentres have an excellent reputation among our fleet customer base and are used by many major companies. We are pleased to see them extend their use of 1link Service Network.

“We recently passed the 16,000 mark for the number of franchise dealers, independent garages and fast fits signed up to 1link Service Network, and often those already using the platform – like Halfords – are extending the range of services they offer.”

The daily rental e-commerce platform has been brought in by Salisbury-based fleet to facilitate increasing customer demand for daily rentals.

Simon Naylor, Marketing Director for Wessex Fleet Solutions, said the 1link Hire Network ticks all the boxes: “We are seeing sustained growth in our business at the moment and, as a result of that, are handling ever greater volumes of daily rental bookings.

“With Thrifty as our main supplier alongside a variety of other national and local providers, we have been looking for a solution to enable us to improve the entire short term hire process and believe that 1link Hire Network fits the bill.”

Ken Trinder, Head of Business Development at automotive-based IT solutions developer epyx, said the platform has enjoyed great success this year.

“We have seen several major leasing companies sign up to use 1link Hire Network in 2011,” he commented. “The platform continues to gain momentum.”

Founded in 2004, Wessex Fleet Solutions provide vehicle rental, leasing and fleet management services for private and corporate customers.

The fleet management software developers installed a specifically designed service booking desk at Honda’s Warwickshire HQ earlier this year to reduce processing times and make the booking procedure more efficient.

Matt Gibson, Head of Customer and Aftersales at Honda UK, said the desk’s introduction has helped secure and retain fleet service and maintenance work.

“Fast response times are an essential part of attracting and keeping fleet business,” explained Matt.

“Customers in this sector want an efficient service and the work we have done to speed up our booking process over the course of this year is already reaping rewards in terms of increased levels of fleet business through the franchise network.”

Results

Ken Trinder, epyx’s Head of Business Development, revealed that his company were in the process of providing something similar for a number of significant car manufacturers with the aim of increasing the amount of work 1link Service Network sends through to their franchise networks.

“Raising service levels across the franchise network is one way that manufacturers can increase the attractiveness of their dealers to fleet customers,” he said.

“Several manufacturers now have specialist service desks in place here at epyx and we are seeing interest from others. It is a strategy that delivers results.”

1link Service Network connects major fleets with franchise dealers, independent garages and fast fits. Prior to its development, booking fleet service and maintenance was slow and sometimes inaccurate, made almost entirely over phone or fax.

The service has near negated the rejection of invoices, service and maintenance providers have work approved online almost immediately.

By assessing recent sales and physical location, Auction Allocation recommends the most suitable independent motor auctions site registered with 1link.

The new addition will also help manage correspondence with auctions, view details on past and upcoming sales, and manage unsold vehicles.

Ken Trinder, head of business development at epyx, believes the addition of Auction Allocation marks “a real step change for the platform”.

He said: “Auction Allocation provides fleets managing disposal with the means to put in place a structured disposal process that is largely automated based on the criteria that they decide to put in place.

“Alongside the other capabilities of the platform – from online auctions and sales to vehicle preparation and movement – it means that fleets of all sizes can use 1link Disposal Network to manage almost every aspect of their disposal activity easily and efficiently online.”

Tweak

Sales generated through 1link Disposal Network have doubled during the first half of 2011, and Mr Trinder reckons recent tweaking has played a vital part in that.

“We have been adding new functionality to 1link Disposal Network over the last couple of years, with developments such as our iPhone app and, more recently, our Trade-to-Trade dealer trading tool,” he added. “This is our fastest growing platform.

“Fleets are rapidly waking up to the advantages of selling through an online tool – whether that means online sales or managing a physical auction sale – while dealers are learning that acquiring stock online is a faster, cheaper and generally more efficient way to do business.”

Visit epyx for more details.