Supply chain management specialist Fleet Assist has won the innovation award at Alphabet GB’s inaugural supplier awards.

The two companies have had a business partnership stretching over more than 12 years, but the award was for Fleet Assist’s launch of its Atlas operating platform that has delivered maintenance management changes at Alphabet.

Alphabet, which  manages more than 150,000 company cars and light commercial vehicles, was one of the first to sign up to use the Fleet Assist network of franchise and independent garages following the latter’s launch in 2003.

Atlas, which was launched in 2015 following two years of development, allows Fleet Assist to store information on each of the 5,000-plus service locations in its national network and this information can be accessed in real-time by Alphabet.

In addition to the highly competitive trading terms that are in place with each service provider, the system holds information on the range of services available from individual service provider and the type and size of vehicles it can accommodate.

Matt Sutherland, Alphabet chief operating officer, said: “Fleet Assist has been recognised for its development of its Atlas system and the significant advancements it has delivered in terms of capability, self-service and reporting.

“Our maintenance team has changed the way it works as a result of it and it has created efficiencies within the team.

"It provides a self-serve portal that enables us to be more proactive with our work bookings, network management and allows us to respond quicker to tender responses, issue resolution and queries.

“Additionally it holds lots of data which allows easy access to trend analysis and reporting. It’s an impressive portal and is providing real benefits to Alphabet and our customers.”

Winning Alphabet’s innovation award followed Fleet Assist being highly commended for its Atlas technology in the most innovative new product or service category at the recent Fleet News Awards.