Car rentals digital strategy challenges

The biggest roadblock to “business as usual” in this COVID-19 period is social distancing, as many of the businesses around the world are still based on face-to-face interactions across the counter or outlet based transactions, which is why digital transformation for car rentals is required.

So, how can a digital machine automate car rental operations? Is it possible to self-service car rental operations? And is tech available today that´s scalable, easy to use and multi-integrated with bookings?

Mobile self-collection
The car rental industry has adapted more slowly to new and digital customer-experience realities than other sectors. A good example for the current disconnect between what customers expect and what they get to experience is booking: rather than a proactive, routine, and seamless experience with benefits such as self service check-in, the car rental experience is often a hassle involving a serious time commitment that is difficult to plan.

- We do believe the concept of “self-unlocking,” will play a huge role in the car rental industry going forward. Everyone is searching for critical digital systems where a customer can book a car and sign a rental agreement on their mobile phone. Customers need the ability to locate their assigned car, pick up the key, and drive away, says Arne Eivind Andersen, CEO of Sharebox.

Customers don´t want to wonder when their vehicle is ready for pickup. They receives automatic updates on her smartphone, along with mobility options to get to the car rental pickup points on airports or downtown.

Sixt fast track success
In Norway Sixt has come a long way creating a digital strategy prioritizing “mobile as first point of sale” and display it with due prominence on the website as well as in the marketing campaigns. Sixt fast track makes it possible for customers to order, collect and deliver a rental car, without being in direct contact with the company's employees.

Customers book a car via the website and go directly to Sixts car delivery when arriving at the airport or city. Using a code received on mobile, access car keys from a fully automated Sharebox.

- Many people will spend the least amount of time on pickup and delivery. Now we simplify the entire customer journey and save time and resources for both the customer and ourselves. A win win situation, says says Ingvild Torp Pedersen, brand manager in Sixt Car Rental.

The Norwegian branch of Sixt offer fast track service on 25 Norwegian airports and major cities. In the Sixt setup Sharebox are integrated with mobile phone controlled lockers that remove any complexity, overcoming significant technical barriers. A considerable favorable setup to complete transformation of manual check-ins with a self-service customer model.

- We at Sixt Norway are proud to be the first to have a seamless fast track solution for car rental. We will continue to develop and improve the system continuously to give our customers a most stress-free rental car experience, says Ingvild Torp Pedersen brand manager in Sixt Car Rental.

The Agile Solutions platform keep track of the rental contract, report damages, check vehicle status, check-in information, cleaning process and has been fully integrated with the automated lockers from Sharebox. This enables the customer to pick up keys on the go without visiting a rental counter. Completing the rental forms and payment for the rental are done through the customers mobile phone from a link sent by SMS to the customer from the rental system.

How it works

Fleet management
All fleet check-in can be managed in an app running on all platforms which can be managed on any mobile phone or tablet. Date, mileage, fuel etc is registered into the rental system and the damage history (existing damages included images) are available from the app. New damages can be registered and reports of new damages become available in the rental system immediately for follow up.

Database and technology
A powerful SQL database fully hosted in the cloud with state of the art security and unlimited processing resources that grow with your business. A set of apps for all kind of devices and all kind of form factors

Installation and training
Dynamic setup of locations, rates and other infrastructure. The front and back end systems provides a wide variety of settings allowing you to customize the system to fit your rental operation. The rental locations are set up individually, allowing full flexibility in market adaptions.

Employee performance
Incremental sales are an integrated part of a rental operation. Reporting on performance and KPI's to improve efficiency and performance at all levels.

Bookings
Make reservations directly into the system through user-friendly and customized web pages. Provide your corporate look by easily designing the interfaces in the Agile web engine before deploying them in the cloud.

Business intelligence
A cloud based database with unlimited processing resources as the backbone - user friendly and logical interfaces, designed with the rental process in focus as front end. State of the art logistics and hands on reports including an application for check in and damage control.

Accounting
One stop shop - handles fleet, customers, rates, rental contracts and invoicing. Transfer all transactions to your accounting software and the posting is completed.

Customer interaction
The combined Sharebox - Agile setup gives your rental staff all the tools needed to serve your customer in a professional and expedite manner. Information about the customers rental history and preferences is the basis for the conversation.

Logistics and utilization
Utilization is directly affecting your financial results. Effective tools to manage utilization is crucial to your business efficiency and performance.

Rates, products and yielding
Efficient competitiveness rely on flexible rates. Build, copy and edit rates with individual attributes for insurances and products. Integrate with franchisers rate codes for import/export.

Sixt fast track at Oslo Airport

Fully integrated, Sharebox and Agile Solutions enables car rentals to enhance their operations, making them more efficient and providing an elevated customer experience through smart mobile technology including key exchange cabinets with digitally operated lockers.

Sharebox purpose-built hardware and API-integrated software platform makes the technology meaningful in a car rental setting. The car rental software and front end can be integrated with the Sharebox back end systems in a wide variety of settings, allowing customizing of the system to fit any rental operations worldwide.

Operations with text messages and mobile openings are set up individually, allowing full flexibility in market adaptions. The combined setup give staff all the tools needed to serve customers in a contact-free and expedite manner. Consumers are concerned about Covid-19. Effective and digital tools are crucial to business efficiency and performance in the new normal.

About Agile Solutions
For more than 15 years, Agile Solutions has designed and delivered software solutions for medium and large rental operations. Agile is the supplier of business systems and infrastructure for major partners such as Sixt, Europcar, National.

About Sharebox
The combined Sharebox - Agile Solutions integrated setup on airports and meeting points in Norway. The service are introduced in the US and several countries across Europe, including England, Germany, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Sweden during 2020.