RAC Software Solutions - Home of Tranman Fleet Management Software & Servitor Asset Software

2001 archive Aug 01 - Tranman beat competition to supply Irish Electricity Board Following an initial call for competition five vendors were selected to submit proposals for a new Fleet Management System to manage ESB Network’s fleet. Twenty individual criteria were used as part of the evaluation process summarised under six main headings: Supplier Profile System Functionality Technical Issues Operation of System Implementation Issues Pricing Tranman offered the best fit to the specified needs and proved able to handle a diverse fleet and cater for equipment fitted to vehicles in a parent/ child relationship. ESB’s fleet consists of 2500 vehicles of which about 1000 are large vans, 1200 are 4x4 Crew vehicles and jeeps, 150 hoists and 150 crane trucks. In addition there are a large number of special “wheeled” equipment such as tractors, dumpers, compressors, ‘All Terrain’ vehicles, stringing machines, and cable winches. Due to its dispersed nature, the fleet is maintained using 12 in-house workshops and considerably more external garages. Parts, in general, are sourced as required from the main dealers while consumables are sourced from a mixture of main dealers and motor factors. As a result there is virtually no stores operation. An important factor was the Job Card type arrangements giving full vehicle history for both internally and externally serviced vehicles, as was the ability of the system to support the development and use of contract and spot hire pricing. Ancillary services such as accident management and fuel management were also part of the consideration. ESB Networks use SAP R/3 for all its financials so the system had to be able to link with this for purchasing and asset recording without any double entry of information. Senan McGrath, Fleet & Equipment Manager of ESB Networks commented on the selection of Tranman Solutions, “Tranman Solutions offered the best fit to our needs. In particular we were impressed with the functionality of the system and their level of expertise, not just of computer systems but of the Transport business itself. We believe that this added insight will be of assistance to us as we develop the management information needed to run a successful business.” Jul 01 – Acquisition of Servitor Asset Maintenance software business Tranman Solutions (TMS), the Bristol based Fleet Management software subsidiary of Lex Service PLC has expanded its product offerings through the acquisition of the Servitor asset maintenance software business from FCS Computer Services. The Servitor business was purchased on the 27th July 2001 to provide TMS with diversification into wider asset management solutions including building maintenance, mobile maintenance management, and facilities management and to enable strategic growth. The products utilise Oracle technology and are primarily supplied to UK public sector Direct Labour Organisations (DLOs). George Webb, Managing Director of Tranman Solutions said: "The Acquisition of Servitor builds on our core business skills and will allow us to offer a more extensive range of Solutions, in particular, to our public sector clients. Servitor has functionality in Call Centre Management and the control of Mobile Resource; these are complimentary business areas to the Lex Group." Mike Bailey, Systems Director of Servitor said: "The Servitor team and myself are looking forward to a successful future with Tranman Solutions and Lex Service and are excited by the greater opportunities this will present." Jun 01 - FM2000 has proven invaluable to Merrion Fleet Management Located in Dublin, Ireland,. Merrion Fleet Management specialise in the fleet management of corporate vehicles for private sector organisations. Merrion have agreements with third party suppliers for the repair of 1200 cars and vans. Merrion selected FM2000 due to the functionality fit to their requirements, particularly the work authorisation module. The threeadministrators use this feature to generate work orders and process all service, repair and maintainance work on the vehicles. This is a key part of their business; it is imperative for them to be able to manage a large number of vehicles. TMS have supplied the entry level Rapid FM Plus system to Merrion to aid them in bids for new contracts. They run the software on a laptop and are able to prove how they can manage a large number of different fleets. They can demonstrate to prospects how Merrion can hold vehicle and driver information and keep track of service intervals. Sarah Dunn, Financial Director for Merrion Fleet Management says "FM2000 has proven invaluable to our business in many aspects. From the day to day requirements of our fleet managers, to facilitating the 'pro-active' nature of the service we offer, to assisting with our on-going tendering process. Rapid FM Plus continues to fulfill our needs." Apr 01 - Work smarter with TMS - Fleet Software over the Internet The theme for Tranman Solutions (TMS) this year is to encourage their users to work smarter. The Fleet Management software products can be accessed through the Internet on an ASP (Application Service Provider) basis. What does this mean? This will enable clients to experience faster implementation times, lower ongoing support costs, and deploy the software without expensive infrastructure. Using the Internet as the delivery medium, the software can be available on a rental or bureau basis from dedicated data centres hosted by TMS or appointed contractors. This can be demonstrated to prospects via the TMS web site www.tranman.co.uk by clicking on ASP from the Home Page. What are the benefits? Delivering software packages on this basis provides many benefits to the customer including: No need to purchase and manage central servers and databases Faster implementation times No software to be installed on client PC's and no requirement to manage upgrades Lower cost client devices - lower specification PC's or network devices may be used instead of full client specification PC's Reduced reliance and pressure on internal IT departments, leaving them free to do other tasks Ability to access the software from anywhere in the world Ability to open up access to parts of the package to a wider audience - further users, customers, suppliers Greater flexibility in terms of the number of licensed users -user licenses (and therefore charges) can vary with demand Lower up-front cost and flatter spread of cost throughout the life of the software product Faster return on investment. Mar 01 - Tranman Solutions launch new 'Green Initiative' Tranman Solutions Ltd (TMS) the fleet management software provider announced today that it has launched a new 'Green Initiative' to enable Fleet Managers to work smarter and buy smarter without leaving the office. Benefits TMS can now demonstrate their products over the Internet instead of travelling to a client's office. The company will be enforcing its own green policy and discounts will be available to companies that place an order after an Internet demonstration. This would typically mean a reduction of 20% "Offering demonstrations over the Internet means we will be able to keep our car journeys to a minimum, reducing business miles and therefore cost of sale. The savings made by us will be passed on to the customer. Our products are highly functional but intrinsically simple so can easily be demonstrated over the Internet". Remote demonstrations will be offered to all prospects as an option at the beginning of the sales process. Some prospects will still prefer to have a sales person visit their site and this will still be an option. Environmentally friendly TMS want to play a part in the governments Motorvate scheme along with Lex and the RAC by cutting down journey times and business miles to help save the environment.