Translease, communications giant AT&T's electronics trading system, has gone live in a pilot project with British Car Contracts and Lex Vehicle Leasing. Similar in concept to the OASIS system, Translease uses EDI technology to speed up invoicing, authorisation and payment for work carried out on fleet vehicles.

The use of EDI looks set to gather momentum over the next 12 months after the OASIS system took on its first commercial customers last year and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency announced the introduction of electronic relicensing earlier this month.

Computers at BCC and Lex will talk direct to dealer systems at Bristol Street Motors Leeds and SEB Ford in London using agreed codes to define work undertaken. Provided the charges come in below pre-defined limits, authorisation will be given automatically by the TransLease computer without the need for the dealers to talk to the leasing company. TransLease should also minimise the number of rejected invoices, which currently cost the fleet industry millions of pounds a year, due to incorrect information supplied by the dealers.

Translease is organising a series of roadshows and seminars where TransLease will be demonstrated to dealers and leasing companies. Further details are available from Ann Barrett on 01527 494914.