A CALL for companies to create a 'joined up' supply chain for fleets at a major Fleet News' event has prompted the launch of a new hi-tech service.

ALD Automotive has joined forces with e-procurement provider Ebbon-Dacs to offer the leasing firm's customers real-time information on the progress of purchased vehicles through an internet-based service.

The service, called ALD Driver View, provides each driver and fleet manager with a unique log-in and password to monitor their specific vehicle and its progress, from order to manufacture and delivery.

ALD customer Jon Crook, operations director of Benchmark Retail Services, said: 'It is a fantastic tool that gives me access to view my vehincle orders in real-time from the office or home. It also gives my drivers individual access to view the status of their own order.'

Their partnership comes after a Fleet News IT&E event provoked calls for an 'e-fleet world'.

Su Copeland, marketing manager at Ebbon-Dacs, said: 'That spurred us to implement this chain management enhancement sooner rather than later.'

Nigel Fletcher, deputy managing director at ALD, said: 'We were pleasantly surprised by the speed and efficiency of the development delivery by Ebbon-Dacs.'