The ADLV (Association for Driving Licence Verification) www.adlv.co.uk has reported a surge in online commercial checking from vocational fleets following the abolition of the paper driving licence counterpart in July this year. Despite a slight reduction in the growth rate of checking immediately prior to the change, the rate of increase for the months of July and August over the prior year, were 38.0% and 37.3% respectively. The ADLV forecasts that the total number of checks carried out by members this year will now exceed 2 million.

The ADLV believes that the scale of the increase in the rate of growth is also a reflection of its campaign to encourage electronic checking as a fundamental best-practice for fleet management. In addition, the numbers also reflect the association’s recent ‘road safety’ campaign. This urges fleet managers to increase the frequency of checks from annual to quarterly in order to identify high-risk drivers, such as those with mobile phone convictions. One ADLV member reports that since the organisation’s launch, the average number of checks per driver per annum is up nearly 30% from 1.1 checks to 1.4 checks per driver. In response to the figures the ADLV is planning to introduce other ‘know your driver’ options, within its checking system, which will ensure even higher standards for ‘entitlement to drive’ checking.

Commenting on the news, Malcolm Maycock Chair of the ADLV noted, “Finally, following the abolition of the counterpart, the message has got through that electronic checking is now a best-practice for those fleet managers that are keen to comply with the highest standards.

“In addition, as increased checking means that high risk drivers are spotted more quickly, there is a realisation that embracing electronic checking more fully contributes significantly to road safety. So we welcome any upswing in the figures, as this translates directly into the roads being safer for the public. Ultimately, with electronic checking facilitating the ever more extensive use of big data, we believe that organisations will be keen to gain a far greater degree of knowledge about exactly who is entitled to be behind the wheel of their vehicles. The ADLV will meet this demand with a number of announcements over the coming months.”

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Innova, a leading supplier of test equipment and diagnostic reporting for the automotive aftermarket, has more than 30 years' experience in supplying sophisticated insights on vehicle maintenance to the fleet management industry.

Innova Fleet Services will integrate a comprehensive database of common vehicle fixes into Risk's telematics platform to give drivers and fleet managers complete visibility over any issues with their vehicle. Via Risk's on-board devices (OBD) the solution will also be able to provide added value insights, such as suggestions on when vehicles need to be serviced, replacement part numbers, estimated labour times and quick links to make it easier to purchase parts directly. This will significantly improve the efficiency of the relationship between fleet and parts managers.

The Risk Technology platform will also provide fleet managers with a more effective and comprehensive solution for managing their assets, by delivering insight into vehicle locations, time spent on the road and job completion data. Driver behaviour and crash detection information can also help to improve efficiency, reduce costs and improve overall fleet performance.

Mark Packman, CEO at Risk Technology, said: "This partnership will bring the huge benefits of telematics and diagnostics data to US fleets of anything from 2 to 2,000 vehicles. By integrating parts data within the system, we're also simplifying the process of rectifying problems with individual vehicles.

"From proactively advising clients on what they should do when their vehicle has 3,000 miles on the clock, to simplifying the autoparts procurement process, our relationship with Innova will transform fleet management in the US."

Mike Fitzgerald, VP and general manager at Innova Electronics, said: "When evaluating potential partners for our new fleet management offering, Risk stood out above the others.

"Their approach is new and fresh. Unlike the multitude of legacy fleet systems, Risk worked with us to develop an intuitive system with contemporary elements like infographics. More importantly, the system is flexible and customisable, allowing us to incorporate in-depth diagnostics and special features only offered by Innova."

About Risk Technology
Risk Technology works with major international brands to seize the opportunities being created by next generation telematics.

The data generated from connected vehicles is helping firms to operate more efficiently and increase profits. The information supplied is also enabling brands to engage with motorists in new ways.

Armed with sophisticated insights, provided by Risk's patent protected technology, companies can take positive actions that boost customer loyalty and generate new revenue streams.

The team has a huge amount of experience rolling out these telematics solutions across a range of global markets.

Key sectors include:

• Insurance
• Fleet and lease management
• Breakdown service / roadside assistance
• Auto parts retailers
• Telecommunications
• Emergency Services

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The ADLV (Association for Driving Licence Verification) www.adlv.co.uk is calling for fleet managers to make more regular checks on driver licence entitlement. This would include quarterly checks for vocational fleets as a norm and more frequent checks where driver risk profiles warrant it. Currently, most organisations, including those with vocational fleets, work on just an annual or bi-annual basis. By establishing industry standards based on driver risk profiles, the ADLV believes that fleets will be able to more quickly identify high-risk groups, such as those with mobile phone misuse and other offences. In using the latest commercial licence checking systems, through an ADLV member to perform repeat checks, Fleet Managers can be sure that they have taken the appropriate action, minimised the risks to the public and boosted road safety.

More frequent checking is a straightforward process for the ADLV's members. Their commercial checks can be repeated easily without the need for renewed consent each time; as informed consent is given for a three-year period. The ADLV believes that the highly practical nature of this approach compares favourably to the DVLA's ‘Share Driver Licence' option, which requires employees to submit their personal details for each check. This, claims the ADLV, could be disruptive in the workplace where it relies on manual processes to ensure drivers are checked frequently.

The ADLV's Deputy Chair Richard Payne-Gill believes that a move to more regular checking will support both risk reduction and road safety. He notes, "Previously annual or bi-annual checks were deemed to be sufficient. However, the latest checking systems, available through ADLV members, deliver more regular checks and are already being followed by some major fleets. In our view more frequent automated commercial checking varied according to driver risk profile, will establish it self as the best-practice for all professional fleet managers."

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Taipei, Taiwan - The GSMA's largest-ever mobile industry event, Mobile World Congress Shanghai (MWC), attracted more than 35,000 attendees, exhibitors, speakers, and press/analysts from all over the world. During the event, Billion's outdoor fixed wireless 4G LTE CPE equipment, fleet tracking and in-vehicle telematics system were showcased by Sierra Wireless, who has announced Billion to become its official partner in Asia.

During the event, Sierra Wireless, the globally well known M2M/IoT and networking communication modules supplier, presented Billion/BEC's M2M and outdoor fixed wireless networking solutions along with the company's introduction. BEC (Billion Electric Corporation) Technologies was named as one of the top selling outdoor fixed wireless LTE brands in the U.S.A in 2015. Billion's LTE ODU delivers superior 4G LTE performance by featuring maximum wireless service coverage and ultra broadband transmission speed. Integrated the ruggedized and IP67 industrial-grade designs, Billion's fixed SIM embedded M2M wireless router is distinctively water and dust proof and can serve under extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to 60°C.

Besides, Billion provides a comprehensive network solution serving a variety of mission critical and vertical markets, especially in telematics and fleet management, emergency and public safety, and industrial and energy automation. Billion launched an innovative M2M router series, embedded with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and Dual LTE/ SIMs, provides a total remote monitoring system to control vehicles and enhance the streamline operations among public safety agencies. Cooperating with the BEC's Fleet Management cloud-based platform, this M2M series can monitor vehicle status to detect slowing or stopping motions, fatigued driving, and largely reduce the responding time through the provided onboard diagnostics (OBD).

"We deliver secure, reliable wireless connectivity to places where were not possible to reach with the traditional infrastructure. Utilizing the 4G LTE and broadband technologies, we offer multimedia communications, such as surveillance, streamlining videos, and real-time voice exchange to help our partners speed up their decision-making process with the visual and audio collaborations", said William Lee, Senior Product Line Manager at Billion's Networking Division. "Leveraging 4G LTE's broadened wireless coverage, Billion's 4G LTE M2M series can deliver scalable connectivity to rural geographic locations, rough terrains, and harsh environments without interruptions."

About Billion
Billion Electric Co., Ltd. (www.billion.com, taiex: 3027) is a global ICT solution and networking CPE provider. We are motivated to create the innovative technologies to enhance live and the environment through placing ourselves as a sustainable corporation and a service-oriented partner. Billion's over 900 employees are committed to providing the optimal values and the quality of products to our current and future customers.

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