For the first time without the need for human intervention, company car, van and truck drivers can book into workshop diaries online, using 1link Service Network’s new integration with REALtime Communications (RTC).

Using our Driver Booking Module, which can be accessed through almost any digital device, users can select their preferred dealer, view the slots available, and book a time and date directly into the diary of participating workshops using RTC’s REALtime Communications API suite.

Tim Meadows, our Chief Commercial Officer said: “We believe that this is a genuine innovation that reduces the workshop booking process from something that can take hours down to a matter of moments. It’s certainly the first time this kind of direct booking has been accessible for fleet users via 1link Service Network.

“Instead of drivers sending a proposed booking to a workshop online and receiving what is essentially a manual reply from a user of the dealer’s software, they can go directly into the workshop diary and book their own slot. It’s a benefit for everyone involved in the booking.”

We launched our 1link Service Network Driver Booking Module 2 years ago, in 2021, and have since added a rules engine. This allows fleets to direct vehicles to the most suited maintenance provider with regards to their expertise, cost, and convenience needs.

“When we announced the module, we took the unusual step of outlining the enhancements that we were aiming to deliver in the medium term and direct booking was one of those we specified. Working with RTC has made this possible.”

Chief Product Officer at RTC, Julian Wheway, explained that the partnership would create definite benefits for both workshops and fleets.

“Many of our customers are already listed as suppliers on 1link Service Network, so it made perfect sense to partner on this project, which is a great way to further enhance the booking process.

“When it comes to administrative tasks such as fleet bookings, calling customers to confirm, and updating or changing times, the new integration is vastly more efficient than the previous manual process, allowing the customer to view and select available slots from the live diary. In addition, it also means that bookings can be made 24/7, something our existing online service boking customers make great use of.

“Our business strategy is to partner with other platforms in the automotive space to drive efficiency to make our customers lives easier, and this new partnership with epyx is an excellent example of just that. We are looking forward to making it available.”

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