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The start point for the best source of fleet information

Arval launches new mobile tech initiative

Date: 10 June 2014   |   Author: Jack Carfrae

Leasing and fleet management firm Arval is making a big investment in its online offering, with a range of what the firm called 'intelligent data tools; grouped together under the Arval Smart Experience banner.

"It's a major new initiative for Arval UK with roots in a number of areas," the company's business development and marketing manager Robert Pieczka told BusinessCar.

"The needs of drivers and customers are changing and we need to respond, and at the heart is a new technological and innovative solution to meet those needs.

"We recognise that people are wanting to use and access information in a different way and on the move, and we need to respond to that and provide appropriate information.

"We've taken the approach to say let's provide a whole set of tools as one complete programme. It sets a new level of driver and customer experience in the leasing sector." 

The development has four core areas, each optimised for smartphone and tablet use: Connect, Fleet View, Mobile+ and Drive Challenge, the latter two being apps aimed at drivers, while the former are more fleet manager-orientated information sources.

It's all underpinned by a new focus on social media that includes a regularly updated Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and You Tube presence.

"Most leasing companies focus on the B2B relationship and having a good relationship with customers and that's where it stopped, but we wanted to go much further and engage with drivers over a period of time," said Pieczka.

Connect is a homepage offering everything from external car reviews and a Twitter news feed to a daily updated delivery calculator, garage locator and Arval TV, which contains video guides on everything from fleet management and contract hire to technology. 

It also links to the second new development - the Fleet View function. 

"Specific to the customer, it's effectively a high-level dashboard giving customers the kind of information they want and need to manage their fleet," explained Pieczka, who claimed that only a third of fleets have a dedicated fleet manager, so the system gives the basic information on a fleet's cost, usage, CSR status and other criteria. More detail can then be drilled down into as required. 

Available for Apple and Android products, the first of  the two apps, Mobile+, gives a range of information and services that drivers will find useful when on the road.

As well as a countdown to the lease expiry date, it gives accessibility to the services drivers are eligible for, including maintenance, servicing, tyres, windscreens and rental, linking straight to the relevant booking system.

It also enables the driver to search for a petrol station sorted by fuel provider, and stores images of the driver's licence and insurance information, which can be useful for car rental for example. 

Drive Challenge is launching later in the summer, and will be freely available for anyone to download, unlike the Mobile+ app that's restricted to Arval customers.

Drive Challenge is designed to "encourage drivers to think about their driving and challenge them, that's why we are making it so freely available," said Arval product manager Peter Leavy.

Measuring braking, acceleration and speed versus the limit, the app scores each journey and awards points and badges depending on performance.

"It's gamification. If a driver wishes they can share their score on a leader board which can then be shared on Facebook," said Leavy. "It encourages a certain amount of competition and encourages drivers to think about their journey and drive more smoothly." 

He was keen to point out that the system isn't designed to work as a tracking unit - the driver chooses whether to activate it and whether to share the results.

"This is the beginning of Arval Smart Experience, which is aiming to be at the front of driver and customer experience, and it will continue to improve," said Pieczka.

"We don't sit with an idea or preconception about which will be the most popular area. We're not aware of anything as comprehensive as this in the sector."



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