A MOBILE navigation package has helped save replacement vehicle company Drive Assist an estimated 3.6 million miles of unnecessary journeys each year.

The firm has a fleet of more than 15,000 vehicles and carries out more than 20,000 vehicle deliveries and collections a month to and from those who need replacement cars after an accident.

Drive Assist wanted to streamline the operating process and approached field mobility solutions company TBS. It used six administrative forms per vehicle, which after 240,000 vehicle movements per year began to really stack up.

It also has 500 delivery drivers across the country, and wanted to reduce its average delivery mileage.

TBS introduced its TaskMaster product, which saw each driver being equipped with a handheld computer with GPS navigation capabilities.

Job details are sent to the computers, along with turn-by-turn directions, eliminating the need for paper maps.

Drive Assist predicts that the package will save 3.6 million miles and 1.5 million pieces of paper each year, as well as improving delivery times.

Nigel Bardsley, Drive Assist’s operations director, said: ‘We are delighted with the efficiencies that we have seen since the implementation of TaskMaster.

‘We have achieved significant business advantage using this innovative solution that has enabled Drive Assist to adapt new and more efficient ways of working. It provides us with a platform to develop further applications for greater business growth.’