With the UK driving licence counterpart being abolished as of 08/06/15 UK fleet managers have been asking questions as to what will happen with the DVLA services from this date forward.

Driving Monitor have polled its customers to find out what key questions are being raised the most and have found the following top 5 questions:

1.     Will I be able to check the employees' licences using the new DVLA system as we have more than a handful of drivers?
2.     Does the DVLA system give me any management reports as to the status of my drivers across the business, or is this a one time view of a single driver?
3.     If this is a free service, how much will it cost my admin staff to operate?
4.     Does the DVLA service provide alerts or notifications as to points offences on licences?
5.     Do I need to consider any data protection issues for checking employee licences or can I use the new ‘View Driving Licence' as an employer on behalf of the driver?

In response to these questions Driving Monitor have produced a series of free video guides to give UK fleet managers the inside track on what to look out for when using the new digital services. These video guides are also accompanied by a free guide download document, which sets out the different options for the digital services.

Kevin Curtis, Managing Director of Driving Monitor commented, "These free how-to guides are based on our experience of working with the DVLA over the last few years - and clearly map out what a manager would need to do to ensure their company duty-of-care is fully met.

There's been a lot of confusion surrounding the counterpart abolition and we've been working hard with our customers in the transition period now that the paper licence is phased out.

For example we rolled out our new eConsent system called ePass (Electronic Permit and Safety System) which connects the driver consent with the new live realtime checking service we have recently launched. This means for the first time a manager can verify the status of their employees' licences within seconds. Traditionally we've had to collect a paper mandate consent form to be able to check an employee's licence - this has been replaced by our new digital platform where drivers sign online or via their mobile device.

The new platform has opened up a whole range of new services we can offer with instant real-time checks. We can also get instant results when a driver completes our Driving Monitor risk assessment profiler, meaning the DVLA data is right up-to-date allowing the risk assessment to be 100% accurate instantly. We have also recently tested the new realtime service against the current overnight batch service that we use via a secure DVLA link. Our results found that 100% of records that were previously suppressed via the overnight EDECs service were checked successfully via the new realtime service. This is a marked improvement on reducing the number of records that previously were held up by the DVLA if they were working on a licence. We can now use the new realtime service to reduce the number of blocked records."

Kevin Curtis went on to say, "One of the main areas of confusion we've found talking to customers is that the DVLA's new platform negates the need for any ongoing licence checking system - however it's clear this one-time free check service that's on the DVLA website is completely different to the risk management solutions available from ADLV approved suppliers.

There needs to be a … Read more

The Platform Support for Legacy Vehicles  Also Enables Remote Vehicle Diagnostics and Includes Advanced In-Vehicle Cybersecurity

TU-Automotive Detroit - June 2, 2015 - The Software-Defined Car™, those intelligent vehicles  we are now increasingly driving, took a giant step forward in functionality and security through today's introduction of the new Movimento Over-the-Air (OTA) Platform. The platform marks the first time that the three key elements of data, security and OTA software management are brought together in a single platform.  The news was unveiled at the TU-Automotive Detroit 2015, taking place June 3-4.  Visitors to TU-Automotive can see the technology live for the first time at Movimento's booth #A26. 

Movimento logo

Movimento's advanced OTA platform is the first to make software updates of any car's electronics possible, from the power train to the infotainment systems, in one go, including automotive architectures and modules from legacy vehicles.  It delivers multiple benefits to automotive OEMs and Tier-1 module manufacturers as well as to vehicle owners. All that is required is the installation of Movimento client software, from which OTA updates on any vehicle ECU are efficiently managed.  This is far superior to how car software is currently updated, which requires that brand-specific code be installed on every module -- software that often is not even available for older, legacy architectures.

The Movimento OTA platform is able to intelligently assess vehicle status before installing software updates, ensuring that data is transferred only when it is safe to reliably do so. This special bi-directional data-gathering capability reports vehicle diagnostics, prognostics and enables preventative analytics, which lets car makers react in real time to their customers and can provide data to third-party companies for insurance and other purposes.

The sophisticated new platform also boasts unique security features, continually protecting each vehicle from unauthorized access, relying on industry best practices and defensive technologies. The Movimento OTA platform monitors the vehicle bus so that any unauthorized messages are detected en route and aborted within 10 milliseconds, also keeping driver data from being compromised.

The new Movimento platform is the foundation for tomorrow's driverless cars; the company is participating in European trials for self-parking cars. "The driverless cars of tomorrow are unbelievably complex but they are definitely coming," explained Movimento Group CEO Ben Hoffman.  "A Boeing Dreamliner 787 now has 15 million lines of code but there will be ten times more in autonomous cars when they arrive."

Movimento Group expects to be an active participant in this future market, drawing on the company's combination of automotive industry experience and Silicon Valley software expertise.  Having spent more than a decade working in pre- and post-car production, Movimento Group is the only company able to fully support legacy vehicle architectures. It has reflashed millions of vehicles and currently, Movimento OTA technologies are used to reflash more than five cars per minute.

"Our OTA platform and supporting services can address the entire car throughout the product life cycle," Hoffman explained. "It is a one-stop solution for the automaker." The company's expertise in OTA technologies was recognized via its naming as a finalist for the best connected-car system integrator, with awards being delivered at the TU-Automotive show this week.

Movimento in-booth demos: http://movimentogroup.com/movimento-at-tu-automotive-detroit./
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/97627992@N07/sets/72157652065521078

About Movimento Group
Devoted to developing advanced technologies that help realize The Software-Defined Car, Movimento Group utilizes its decade-long history as a leader in automotive reflash services and its innovations in OTA software.  The company's car manufacturer customers include Ford, GM, FCA and Volvo plus a wide range of Tier-1 suppliers including ZF, Bosch, Denso, Panasonic, Continental, Delphi, Visteon, Magna and others. The company's headquarter is in Plymouth, … Read more

Leading European-brand vehicle diagnostics experts introduces new service and device platform to help non-specialist independent workshops go from fault-to-fix, fast

28 May 2015 – Oxford, England and New York, United States Autologic Diagnostics (‘Autologic’) today announced its new Autologic Assist ‘fix and support’ system created to serve the needs of advanced generalist repairers of complex European cars. Assist combines Autologic’s proven and completely updated support service with a next generation diagnostics device platform called AssistPlus and access to third-party online diagnostic support tools and services. AssistPlus builds on Autologic’s long track record of success with its previous blue box device. Taken together, Assist and AssistPlus give independent workshops a comprehensive integrated system, to fix cars faster and more profitably.

Autologic - New Logo

In recent research, Autologic discovered that as many as 1 in 4 vehicles resist correct diagnosis and repair. These hard to fix ‘problem cars’ reduce workshop profits and lead to backlogs that damage customer satisfaction. It is estimated that problem cars can cost workshops up to an hour of wasted workshop time each day, which equates to £16,500/US$24,750 [1] a year of lost business.

In many ways, today’s cars are really more like computers on wheels. With hundreds of inter-dependent electronic systems and components, repairing vehicles with this level of complexity creates major problems for independents that are more used to dealing with mechanical, rather than electrical issues.

Autologic Assist was created to help the vast majority of independent advanced generalist workshops to diagnose and repair modern, premium brand European cars. Assist enables those independents to diagnose and repair more vehicles, more efficiently thereby increasing billable hours and potential revenue as well as helping to better manage cost control.

“Assist and AssistPlus in combination marks a real breakthrough in aftermarket diagnostics,” said James Bagan, Sales and Marketing Director at Autologic. “Right from the company’s beginnings in 1999, we set the benchmark for what OEM-like diagnostics could deliver to the aftermarket brand specialist. Now, we’re the first company to deliver a solution that enables advanced generalist workshops to compete by delivering a far more complete approach to diagnosing and fixing today’s complex European cars in the form of Autologic Assist.”

The Autologic Assist system consists of six major components:

• An industry-first integrated fix and support service for European-brand vehicles
• Access to the expertise of over 50 OEM-trained Assist Expert Technicians across major brands
• Next generation, cloud-connected diagnostics device called AssistPlus with video and online remote assistance
• OEM Pass Through dongle included in the package
• Suite of new AssistOnline tools to register issues, book appointments, track repairs and bill for diagnostics*
• Full software support and vehicle updates for the duration of the contract

Bagan explained: “If advanced generalist workshops are to keep pace with main dealers, they need a critical combination of three things: Access to OEM-trained expertise, technology and vehicle information.

“With Assist and AssistPlus, we’re delivering an unrivalled combination of OEM-trained expert technicians, advanced, cloud-connected diagnostics and access to the best online vehicle repair information sources on the market today. Now, you no longer need to guess the cause of a problem, just sign up for Assist and we’ll help you go from fault-to-fix, fast,” he added.

Ends

Notes to Editors

• Pricing: Each Autologic Assist service contract is priced at £1,200 (UK) per year / $1,920 (US) [2] and the Autologic AssistPlus diagnosis device costs £8,000 (UK) / $12,800 (US) and comes pre-loaded with diagnostic software for premium European car lines:
  • Brand support - UK: BMW, Mercedes, VAG, Jaguar, Land Rover, Peugeot, Renault, Citroen and Volvo.
  • Brand support – US: BMW, Mercedes, VAG, Jaguar,

The ADLV (Association for Driving Licence Verification) www.adlv.co.uk is seeking to incorporate feedback from Business Owners, Fleet Managers and HR officers in developing a Best-Practice Guide to checking driver licence entitlement. The new on-line Guide, which will highlight the correct verification systems to use in specific circumstances, is being drawn up in response to the imminent withdrawal of the paper driving licence counterpart by the DVLA. Once published, the Guide will serve as a compliance document for both the private and public sector fleet industries. Amongst the topics that the Best-Practice Guide will cover are:

The legal aspects of driver entitlement: This will cover the current classes and categories of licence and the verification levels required to meet them.

Endorsement Codes: An overview of existing codes.

Holders of overseas licenses: This section will highlight guidance on defining residency both within and outside the European Union and the appropriate requirements for driver entitlement accordingly.

License Checking Options and Procedures: The Guide will highlight the different systems available for checking driver entitlement and which of these Fleet and HR managers see as providing the most appropriate level of compliance for their own circumstances. This includes the difference between the DVLA and the commercial services available. For example, most Fleet Managers with fleets of over 20 drivers are already moving to commercial electronic checking as Best-Practice. It will also highlight the correct procedures for each option - for example the VDL (View My Licence) facility is purely for use by the licence holder themselves and not by third parties.

Areas of caution: The final section of the guide will seek to ensure that readers are aware of the limitations of some methods of checking and their liabilities under current Data Protection legislation. An example of each would be:

The .pdf screen shot that can be produced with the DVLA's single-view SMDR (ShareMyDriving Record) service has no legal standing and is not a sufficient proof of driver entitlement on its own as it can be edited.

The DVLA's current VDL (View My Licence) facility is purely meant for use by the individual licence holder or could be used by a business but only with the driver's explicit consent. Some organisations have wrongly assumed this consent has been given automatically; it is a criminal offence to obtain someone else's information without their permission.

Commenting on the preparation of the Best-Practice Guide Richard Payne-Gill, Deputy Chair of the ADLV said, "The need for this guide is clearly pressing, given the on-going confusion about the various licence checking options available following the withdrawal of the paper counterpart to the licence.

"We are preparing the Guide, as organisations need to know the Best-Practice way to proceed and what constitutes compliance within their own organisation. However, rather than simply dictate the key issues and remedies therein, we aim to include feedback from Business Owners, HR officers and Fleet Managers to ensure that we are both relevant and meeting the real needs of the market once the licence counterpart has gone.

"In the future we are also considering a video on the "Caution" element of the Guide to show just how easy it is to abuse and misuse paper .pdfs and the serious consequences of getting it wrong.

"So the ADLV would love to hear from relevant parties across all sectors, including both car and freight based fleets, about the issues raised and we look forward to incorporating as many of their ideas as possible."

Business owners, Fleet Managers and HR officers wishing to contribute to the Guide should call 01727 896041 or email [email protected]… Read more

Asia’s leading event for the complete aluminium supply chain will highlight aluminium’s role in the technological and environmental revolution across major global industries

7 May 2015: With more leading car makers launching electric and hybrid vehicles and China’s stated national strategy to reduce average passenger vehicle fuel consumption by a third before 2020, Aluminium China 2015 in July will showcase the increasing role played by aluminium in the growing green automotive industry. By reducing vehicle weight without compromising safety, aluminium is increasingly being used in a range of automotive products from engine casings and chassis to wheels, doors and connectors.

Visitors to Asia’s leading event for the complete aluminium supply chain will see aluminium forging, stamping and extrusion products along with new disruptive technologies such as the aluminium-air battery (AI-battery). Claiming better energy density along with reduced costs and lower environmental impact compared to conventional batteries such as lead-acid, Ni-MH and Li-ion cells, the AI-battery is already being used by Citroën in its C1 electric car.

“Changing regulations from governments and expectations from consumers around the world are putting pressure on motor manufacturers to respond and it is clear that aluminium is set to help shape the future of the green automotive industry,” said Chris Zang, Senior Project Manager of Reed Exhibitions China, organisers of Aluminium China 2015. “Aluminium China 2015 provides a timely and unique opportunity to bring together the world’s automotive and aluminium experts to experience the latest technology, products and processes that will help meet the challenges ahead.”

The 11th Aluminium China exhibition and conference in Shanghai runs from 8-10 July 2015. Over 17,000 professionals are expected to attend, representing a wide range of industries and buyers from China as well as other Asian and global markets. It will showcase over 550 international exhibitors from 30 countries; representing the entire aluminium production chain, from raw materials, semi-finished and finished products to production and processing machinery and accessories.

This year’s event will feature innovative new activities and pavilions including:

• Architectural Aluminium Enterprises Lean Management Symposium
• Alumina and Primary Aluminium Sustainable Development Forum 
• Energy-efficient Buildings and Building Integrated Pavilion 
• Rare Metal Forum

Delegates will also be able to visit the Upgrade Aluminium Downstream Processing Forum and Display Zone and Industrial Environment Protection Pavilion, as well as going on aluminium factory tours to see advanced downstream aluminium processing and machinery.

In addition, Aluminium China will once again run its successful Business Matching Service to connect top buyers, agents and distributors with exhibitors. The special Targeted Attendee Program (TAP) will introduce senior Diamond VIP corporate executives who have specific purchasing requirements, to leading experts and suppliers in the aluminium industry. “Last year we had almost 750 TAP Diamond VIPs and this number is set to rise again this year,” said Chris Zang. “The business matching program helps our VIP visitors to schedule on-site appointments with the most relevant exhibitors and get the most out of their time at the show. No other channel provides such high level access to senior decision makers across Asia, the world’s largest and fastest growing aluminium market in the world.”

About Aluminium China
Aluminium China 2015 is Asia‘s top trading, sourcing, networking and branding platform for the complete aluminium industry chain, bringing together leading industry figures, cutting edge technologies and advanced applications. Annually held in Shanghai, the event engages the global aluminium community with new customized matchmaking programs linking application buyers with emerging and established demands and buyers of equipment and accessories with leading suppliers. To facilitate networking and education, the show creates product specific tours for int'l visitors covering different industry sectors as … Read more

Driving Monitor have announced a series of live demonstrations across the UK to showcase the new eConsent paperless driving licence checking service. The live sessions will demonstrate how a fleet manager can now perform instant realtime checks on his fleet as soon as a driver enters their licence details. The new service is part of a series of first-to-market set of tools Driving Monitor have developed over the past few months.

Kevin Curtis, Managing Director of Driving Monitor commented, "The live demos will show first hand how simple and fast our new licence checking service runs. With the forthcoming counterpart abolition in June this year we feel that fleet managers need a simple and fast way of checking their employees' licences. The new eConsent system we have developed is a UK first and takes the administration away from collecting consent from drivers via the traditional paper route.

Our new eConsent system is called ePass (Electronic Permit and Safety System) and connects the driver consent with the new live realtime checking service we have recently launched. This means for the first time a manager can verify the status of their employees' licences within seconds. Traditionally we've had to rely on the DVLA ‘batch' processing model where we send a volume of licence checking data via a secure channel to the DVLA - and then wait for the ‘batch' of results to be returned.

The new platform has opened up a whole range of new services we can offer with instant real-time checks. We can also get instant results when a driver completes our Driving Monitor risk assessment profiler, meaning the DVLA data is right up-to-date allowing the risk assessment to be 100% accurate instantly. We have also recently tested the new realtime service against the current overnight batch service that we use via a secure DVLA link. Our results found that 100% of records that were previously suppressed via the overnight EDECs service were checked successfully via the new realtime service. This is a marked improvement on reducing the number of records that previously were held up by the DVLA if they were working on a licence. We can now use the new realtime service to reduce the number of blocked records."

Kevin Curtis went on to say, "One of the main areas of confusion we've found talking to customers is that the DVLA are releasing a similar service this summer. However there needs to be a distinction from the service that the DVLA are going to provide (to replace the counterpart once it's been removed) and the services that companies such as Driving Monitor offer fleet and Health & Safety managers. The new DVLA ‘Share My Licence' service that will be launched in the summer will only offer a single view approach and relies on the driver registering for the service using the government gateway ID verification platform. Once a driver has been through this process (10 mins) they would then activate a one-time use code for their employer to use. They would then need to print a form to give to their employer, which then starts the process of the employer needing to access the web service. The employer would then need to access the DVLA portal with the one-time use code to verify the driving licence (a further 5 mins).

What will become apparent very quickly is that employers will not want their drivers taking up valuable time going through an online approval process to register, then to generate a one-time use code that needs to be handed to the employer. Fleet managers also need to understand that the new DVLA service … Read more