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Ifs good to talk at Guest
Page 70
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New technology has helped Iveco dealership Guest Motors to slash its running costs and mprove the efficiency of its vehicle recovery and sales operations.
Kevin Swallow reports.
Introducing technology is one thing but understanding its true effect is something else. After trialling a selection of T-Mobile devices, in 2005 Guest Motors replaced its radio communication system with 90 phones, data cards and MDA II web access (a PDA-style system). As a result the company slashed its communication bill by half.
Guest Motors IT manager Nick Bridgens explains:"With our previous phone and mobile radio suppliers, we typically had a total monthly bill of about £4,000 which didn't include mobile data. We now pay under £2,000 a month on average.This releases money which we can invest elsewhere in the business."
He adds that the introduction of data cards for laptops has enabled staff to access e-mails while out on the road, increasing productivity and efficiency: "With some customers buying five to 10 vehicles a week, which can cost anywhere between £8,000 and £80,000, customer relationships are dependent on ease of communication. Having an effective strategy for mobile working that covers both voice and data means we are well equipped to deliver a fast and efficient service in an increasingly competitive marketplace." u