Hitachi Capital has adopted the 1link Service Network service and maintenance platform for its fleet of larger commercial vehicles.

The move has allowed Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services to now use the electronic servicing Network for a much greater proportion of its 27,760 vehicle fleet – around three quarters – and this figure is set to grow further in the coming months.

Lucy Hill, head of operations at Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services, said: “We have been using 1link Service Network for light commercials since 2007 but we are now able to bring the strengths of using e-commerce to a much greater proportion of our fleet. Overall, our processes are now leaner and faster.

“For customers, we respond much more quickly to work approvals and are better placed to help them minimise downtime, which is vital as we manage a number of business critical fleets. For suppliers, we are able to process and pay for work much faster.

“Importantly, we are able to track our spending with a much greater degree of control and have identified substantial savings.”

Last year, the 1link Service Network system was upgraded to allow trucks, vans and plant of more than 3.5 tonnes to be handled by the e-commerce platform for the first time.

1link Service Network is now in use by fleets totalling more than two million vehicles, to process service and maintenance buying from 17,300 franchise dealers, independent garages and fast fits.