THE Alphabet virtual handover service launched earlier this year has been extended to include vans – and the service enhanced with new QR code technology.

The new system is for highly customised commercial vehicles supplied via one of Alphabet’s network of LCV Approved Conversion Partners, TEVO.

Virtual Handover is provided to Alphabet customers receiving new vehicles via its Preferred Dealership Network.

In a first for the leasing industry, Alphabet’s Virtual Handover service now provides fleet managers and their drivers with a video guide to their new LCV from the supplying dealer, sent via an email link approximately two weeks before the vehicle delivery.

This is an extension of the Virtual Handover service launched for cars earlier this year. What’s unique for LCVs is that for vehicles supplied by conversion partner TEVO, a QR code is now included in the converted commercial vehicle.

When the code is scanned via a driver’s smartphone, the code accesses a specific video guide to the custom conversion of the vehicle.

Simon Simmons, supplier relationship manager for Alphabet, explains: “When we launched Virtual Handover for LCVs we knew that we didn’t want to simply replicate what we’ve done for company cars.

“So we listened to our LCV customers who told us that one of their key challenges with bespoke, customised commercial vehicles was that these vehicles could be driven and used by a different employee every single day.

“They’re not just transportation – these vehicles are highly specialised, highly equipped mobile places of business.

“A business or public sector organisation will have invested significant time and money in the LCV conversion, but the drivers and end users may not know what specialist ‘kit’ the vehicle is equipped with or how to use it properly.

“However, everyone has access to a smartphone these days so we wanted to harness the power of the technology in people’s hands to help solve this problem.

“Some of the vehicle conversions we undertake for customers can be extremely complex to ensure the vehicle meets the precise needs of the business and its employees. The conversion process is always a detailed one but too often people forget the driver and user of the vehicle.

“But it’s crucial that employees know what is installed in the vehicle and how to use the equipment correctly. This technology helps drivers do their jobs more quickly and more productively with the aid of a QR code and their smartphone, while fleet managers can be assured that their vehicles are being used correctly and as safely as possible.”

While some leasing companies have trialled video technology for vehicle handovers, Alphabet are the only company providing a Virtual Handover across all manufacturer vehicles and for all new car and LCV deliveries fulfilled by their Preferred Dealer Network.

The QR code technology is provided for highly customised commercial vehicles supplied via TEVO, one of Alphabet’s network of LCV Approved Conversion Partners.

The videos are created by the dealers and TEVO themselves so drivers have access to a virtual, video handover of their new LCV and its conversion equipment on demand via their smartphone whenever they need it.