Drive Assist, which operates a fleet of more than 15,000 vehicles, says it has eliminated 3.6 million miles of unnecessary journeys following the introduction of sophisticated handheld technology for all its drivers.

The introduction of personal digital assistants (PDAs) for each of the company’s 500+ drivers has resulted in the company qualifying for the final of the Business Oscars -the 2007 National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange, on November 13.

“The development of PDAs that bring together workforce mobility management to enable more efficient service delivery with satellite navigation gives Drive Assist a unique advantage in the marketplace,” said Drive Assist managing director Steve Binch.

Improved service delivery as a result of the £450,000 IT investment has helped the company win a series of new contracts with eight of the top 16 motor insurers.

With Drive Assist drivers now carrying PDAs instead of paperwork, all vehicle delivery information is communicated from 17 depots nationwide via the handheld device.

Mr Binch explained: “Now when a job is completed the depot can send the next one to the driver without them having to return to the depot. This has speeded up the whole delivery process."