Automatic allocation of fleet cars and vans into the best motor auction disposal route for each vehicle is set to be one of the key fleet technology trends of 2012, says epyx.

The company added a new Auction Allocation tool to its 1link Disposal Network e-commerce platform six months ago and initial adopters of the feature are reporting strong results.

Auction Allocation recommends a site from the auctions registered with the platform based on criteria chosen by the fleet manager such as recent sales performances and geographical constraints.

Gary Gibson, head of customer services, at epyx, said: “Auction Allocation is very much a development that fits into the needs of the times.

“This year looks set to be another tough one for fleets and being able to effectively automate disposal into motor auctions, which can be very time consuming and requires a considerable degree of expertise, represents real benefits in terms of time and effort.

“Certainly, the prices that we are seeing from the early adopters of Auction Allocation suggest that the system is proving effective.

“There is a considerable groundswell under this product among fleets that use auctions and we believe that this kind of automatic disposal will be one of the key fleet technology trends of 2012.”

Gibson added that there was no reason that the principles behind Auction Allocation could not be developed to include other areas of disposal beyond auctions.

He said: “We now know that basing the allocation decision on factors such as recent results from a given disposal route as well as potential costs including geographical proximity produces good prices.

“There is every possibility that this technology could be applied to a wider choice of disposal routes – for example, by adding used car dealers into the mix.

“We believe that this is very much an area in which online vehicle disposal can be developed in the coming years.”

He said: “This is epyx’s fastest growing platform. Fleets are rapidly recognising the advantages of selling through an online tool – whether that means online sales or managing a physical auction sale – while dealers are learning that acquiring stock online is a faster, cheaper and generally more efficient way to do business.”

Designed for large fleets to efficiently manage car and van disposal online, and for dealers to quickly and easily find the used stock that they require, 1link Disposal Network forms a component in the 1link cradle-to-grave e-commerce vehicle life cycle which includes e-commerce platforms covering vehicle procurement, service and maintenance, taxation and rental.