A BRITISH technology company is on the verge of launching a new software package which will enable fleets to run a pool of rental cars from the office, using a mobile phone to access the vehicles.

WS2 claims its software is a 'revolution in car rental' as it eliminates delivery and collection costs and enables fleets to access vehicles as and when they need.

Drivers choose a vehicle from the rental pool outside the office and call a special telephone number supplied by WS2. A pin code and the car registration is quoted which enables WS2 to automatically open the vehicle from a central control location. The keys to each vehicle are left inside for each driver to collect.

Tony Arnold, chief executive officer at WS2, said: 'This is an important innovation for the fleet and rental industry. It provides a much more efficient, cost-effective and secure way of renting out short-term hire vehicles.

'It also offers a more ecologically responsible solution for the industry as it reduces the need to drive long distances just to deliver or collect a car.'

WS2 is currently testing its Vista-Rent software with leasing and rental companies, and claims one leasing company has cut costs by around £100,000 over 1,000 transactions.

Arnold added: 'In each trial they are interested in the pool car concept as they believe they can improve utilisation of their vehicles on site and generate more revenue from fewer cars.'