THE internet has revolutionised the way Britain does business.

Emails are now a standard method of communication, orders are increasingly sent online and there is a wealth of advice available on the 'web'. Even in the past year, there has been an explosion in the number of online services available to fleet decision-makers.

As demand grows for more information on the opportunities and benefits of the internet, Fleet NewsNet and print title Fleet News are joining forces to offer fleet decision-makers an in-depth briefing on what the internet can do for their businesses at the Move Your Fleet Online conference.

The event will be held in association with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply and takes place on Tuesday, January 28 at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire. It will be chaired by Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and will examine the key issues fleet managers will face in doing business on the internet.

Speakers at Move Your Fleet Online will address six of the main areas where fleet decision-makers could benefit from web-based services. An expert will highlight the key benefits and pitfalls of each area and there will also be in-depth case studies from fleets which have taken the plunge.

Among the speakers will be Robert Albright, strategic purchasing director for Royal Mail Group; Sandy Duckett, fleet business manager for Scottish Power; Mike O'Sullivan, business development manager for Ebbon-Dacs and Daren Wiseman, managing editor – current data, for CAP.

During the morning, speakers will analyse the key issues surrounding the impact of going online in the acquisition of cars, management of fleets and the disposal of vehicles. Manufacturers are selling cars to fleets online, giving managers the chance to save both time and money.

For some fleets, online bookings and maintenance authorisations can reduce both administration costs and off-road time. Disposals can be made easier and quicker by going online, too.

In the afternoon, the conference will address three important topics – security of online data and information, the monitoring of cars through their fleet life and the growing impact of telematics, including the use of technology to simplify congestion charging.

  • Ticket prices are £59 for fleet decision-makers and £79 for other industry professionals, but only for those booking early. From January 3, prices move up to £79 and £99 respectively. All figures are inclusive of VAT.

    Book your place

    Click here for the booking form (pdf). Print the form off, fill it in and fax it back to 01733 468346 to reserve a place. For more information call Sandra Evitt on 01733 468123 or email sandra.evitt@emap.com

    Moving Your Fleet Online – the themes

  • FORWARD IN REVERSE: one of the fastest growing areas of interest is web-based reverse auctions, where suppliers bid for contracts by steadily reducing prices. Scottish Power has taken part in a successful reverse auction this year to source its vehicle fleet and a case study will be included in the session.

  • CLEARING IN-TRAYS will focus on how fleet decision-makers can save money and be more efficient in organising their vehicles online. Examples include booking services over the internet, booking rental supply and arranging alternative transport.

  • FASTER FAREWELLS: using the internet to dispose of ex-fleet vehicles can allow companies to sell a car before it has left the fleet. Companies can market their vehicles over the internet to private buyers and dealers and auction companies also offer online sales services.

  • LINING UP THE ANSWERS: using electronic services to monitor vehicles throughout their lives can ensure managers can maintain a tight control of costs.

  • FEELING MORE SECURE will examine in-depth the basic safety requirements they should demand before adopting any online system. It will also offer case studies from leading fleet figures on the ways they tackled issues relating to web-based security.

  • STAYING IN TOUCH: telematics is a booming industry, with systems allowing decision-makers to track any vehicle on their fleet from their desktops. There are key benefits to the systems – for example, they can automatically register when a driver has entered the congestion charging zone in London.

    Moving Your Fleet Online is sponsored online by ##InchcapeFleetSolutions--right##