Route Monkey has, over the past six years, developed the first scheduling system of its type for electric vehicles, which is initially being targeted at commercial vehicles and fleets. The system helps fleet managers identify the best vehicle for every delivery or collection, helping to remove range anxiety and improve their return on investment.

The global agreement will see RouteMonkey’s scheduling software interface with Smith Electric’s proprietary telematics system, Smith Link.

As the business grows, it plans to recruit more software developers and add further sales resource to its team, creating new jobs in the region.

Longer-term, the business is looking to break into the United States and to establish a re-seller network in territories including South Africa and Ireland.

Colin Ferguson, chief executive of Route Monkey, said: ‘My aspiration is for the business to be the de facto scheduling provider in commercial electric vehicles.

We came up with the concept in 2006/7, and took it to market in 2009. Since that time, we have been relatively successful, becoming a niche software provider which turns over a seven-figure sum, all of which has been done under our own steam, with no investment.

‘I am confident that with this support from IP Group, which we are extremely grateful for, we can take Route Monkey to another level. We are looking to export and expand into new areas internationally, and are able to look at doing that with a much more aggressive strategy than before.’