Fleet operators, with more than 300,000 vehicles managed between them, attended Sofico’s inaugural innovation day for fleet operators in Australia.

The event was designed to look at a number of new services, including streamlined supplier payments and more competitive rates for repairs, maintenance and tyres.

Sofico also shared the news of two new strategic partnerships that it has forged in the region to introduce a number of fleet efficiencies for fleet customers.

The first was with WEX Payment Gateway. The new relationship with WEX will allow the streamlining of fleet supplier payments by the use of Virtual Credit Cards through Sofico’s Miles software platform.

Fleet operators were also introduced to a new initiative with AutoGuru, a company with a sizeable and rapidly expanding network of mechanics and repairers across Australia.

AutoGuru aims to connect established fleet management organisations with a competitive and collaborative marketplace for repairs, maintenance and tyres, thereby driving cost efficiencies across the vehicle fleet.

Together, AutoGuru and Sofico plan to transform fleet processes for searching, booking, authorising, rating and analysing services for repairs, maintenance and tyres in a new solution that is fully integrated within Miles.

The new initiative aims to bring the consumer retail model for repairs, maintenance and tyres into the corporate business world for the first time.

The innovation day also include a detailed look into the way in which the Miles platform integrates with e-Document and e-Signature solution providers to drive paperless operations, and to enable Sofico’s customers to streamline processes and drive efficiency.

Koen van Grimbergen, head of Sofico Services Australia, said: “Our inaugural Innovation day was established to enhance our customers' ability to do business using our Miles software platform by bringing together ideas and partners both old and new.

“We hope we have been able to create a stimulating environment for new ideas and functionality to address innovation, as well as also being able to look at the impact of disruption in certain markets.”

Picture caption: (from left) Koen van Grimbergen, Sofico Services Australia, Eden Shirley, AutoGuru, Frank Morberger, WEX