Features
28 aoû 19

Australia: Genuine interest in Flexible, Connected and Shared

Connector held its most recent M15 event in Sydney, Australia, around the themes of Flexible, Connected and Shared. The question, put the speakers and the audience, was: “What tools, available to Fleet Managers, can help make a fleet more flexible and futureproof?”

Speakers were asked to present solutions that can be implemented today. All of the speakers talked from their own area of expertise and had 20 minutes to pitch their solutions to an audience representing well over 20,000 cars in Australia.

About the M15

Connector’s M15s are invite-only small events where clients meet vendors and start a conversation about a well-defined theme. Its objective is not for vendors to sell their solutions to the clients, but instead align on vision and development of solutions or services. Through dialogue, Connector aims to bring both parties closer together and provide for a safe space that is beneficiary for everyone.

The new ecosystems

As a venue, Connector selected the JustCo flexible offices on Pitt Street, in the centre of Sydney’s buzzing CBD; a signal to Fleet Managers that flexible office spaces are becoming part of the fleet/mobility category. Technology companies were well represented: Geotab and OviDrive introduced the concepts of connectivity, data driven decision making and artificial intelligence to the audience. Toyota was present as well, not as a car maker or a leasing provider this time, but as a mobility provider: Toyota Financial Services Australia acts as an incubator for the greater Toyota in developing and rolling out new solutions and business models.

Representing the client

The M15 was kicked off by Mace Hartley, Executive Director of the Australasian Fleet Management Association (AfMA), who represents the Fleet client and the Fleet supply chain. In his opening statement, Mace shared that many solutions that are available in the flexible, connected and shared space, but returned the question: “What is really motivating the client’s business?”

Closing the session, Connector stated that mobility might very well be today’s hype, but should not be the only focus of the Fleet Manager. There are various ways to modernise a fleet, as technology becomes affordable and useful and as alternatives to the dedicated company car become available. Connector demonstrated, based on a real client case, that building a toolkit of solutions that coexist with the dedicated company car, is the right way forward.

After the M15

During a small reception after the event, featuring excellent Australian wines and beers, the speakers and attendees continued their conversations about tech, modernising Fleet Management and mobility. If there’s one conclusion to Connector’s Sydney version of its M15 events, it’s the fact that clients are eager to join hands with the supply chain to find solutions.

Authored by: Yves Helven