So says Chevin Fleet Solutions, with Paul Verkinderen, sales director Europe & MEA, explaining: ‘Especially among commercial vehicles fleets, we are seeing smartphones being used for a range of tasks – for example to enable the carrying out of basic daily maintenance checks compliance requirements.

‘We are working with an 800-vehicle fleet where this fundamental job generated a paper check for each van every day but a mobile device means that the whole process can become easily automated.

‘This kind of gain has obvious appeal for fleet operators in terms of much reduced cost, time saved, auditing and general efficiency. As awareness grows in the market, it is increasingly becoming a factor that swings deals in our favour.’

In particular Verkinderen said that fleets were beginning to realise that using mobile devices for proactive maintenance inspections could have a real impact on running costs.

‘As most fleet operators know, many drivers of company vehicles will continue to use their vehicle with a known problem until it becomes acute and this in itself can prompt further issues. For example, a gearbox fault that could be easily rectified when it first occurred could eventually lead to outright failure.

‘However, if drivers are required to carry out a formal inspection of their vehicle, almost all of them will report that problem rather than continue using their car or van. Over time, savings will be made for this reason.’

Chevin introduced its FleetWave Mobile module, which allows almost any mobile device to be used with its core FleetWave software system, early in 2014.

Mr Verkinderen said: ‘It has taken a little time for the market to fully understand the potential that a product like this offers but we are seeing more and more interest in using it to carry out all kinds of fleet processes – from the vehicle inspections that we describe to areas like delivery verifications, fleet tracking and much more.

‘As a tool, it is exceptionally versatile and, every week, we seem to come across new uses that will deliver real and measurable benefits to fleets.’