ADLV Working With DVLA on New Real-Time Driving Licence Data Verification System For Fleets

The recently launched ADLV (the Association for Driving Licence Verification) http://www.adlv.co.uk/ has announced that it is now working closely with the DVLA on a new digital service for fleet customers to check driving licence data in real-time. Subject to licence holder consent, the new secure digital web services technology will enable ADLV members, and other organizations meeting DVLA requirements who sign up to the service, to perform 24/7 real-time licence checks for the first time. The new system will also enable faster batch processing of licence data. Ultimately, it is intended that the new service will replace the DVLA's current EDECS (Electronic Driver Entitlement Checking Service) system, which is used by members of the ADLV to provide secure driver licence information to many UK fleet operators of all sizes across UK industry. Fleet users of the service will also continue to have access to comprehensive management reporting on driver checks using the services of Approved Operators of the ADLV.Kevin Curtis the ADLV's Technical Director believes that the new service's benefits are clear and that there will also be a best practice dividend. In his view, "By working closely with the DVLA on this new platform, ADLV members can deliver 24/7 real-time checking and faster batch processing for fleet users. This will be a major advance over the current service and as such the new system will re-define best practice across the sector."Eddie Eusebi a founder member of the ADLV welcomed Kevin's comments adding, "The formation of the ADLV means that we are able to work with the DVLA on many different fronts ensuring best practice and compliance for our members."Initial ADLV member organisations include: Licence Check Ltd, Drivercheck Ltd, Licence Bureau Ltd, Fleet Claims Administration Ltd, DrivingMonitor, AA DriveTech (UK) Ltd, GB Group plc, Pinewood Technologies, Admin Business Solutions, Interactive Driving Systems Ltd, Fleet Partnership Solutions Ltd, Chalcheck Limited, Descartes Systems UK Ltd, Intelligent Data Systems (UK) Ltd., Inchcape Fleet Solutions & Jaama Limited.The service is nearing completion and is scheduled for launch in early 2015.EndsNote To Editors: About the ADLV (http://www.adlv.co.uk/) The Association for Driving License Verification has been established to promote and encourage best practice within the industry for the initial and continued validation of driver entitlement for responsible employers and road safety. The ADLV will both represent and regulate Members organisations in accordance with its rigorous Code of Conduct. For further information please contact:Richard Payne-GillADLV07534 199236 richard.paynegill@adlv.co.ukor Leigh RichardsThe Right Image PR & Marketing Group leigh.richards@therightimage.co.uk 07758 372527Source: RealWire

FOI Figures Reveal That Electronic Licence Checking Is Becoming Best Practice For Fleets

Freedom of Information statistics obtained by the ADLV (Association for Driving Licence Verification) from the DVLA, reveal that there has been a considerable increase in commercial electronic checking of licenses by fleets. The figures record the volume of licence checks made through members of the DVLA’s EDECS Electronic Driver Entitlement Checking Service, the vast majority of which are ADLV members. In the last three months of 2014, the statistics show that the volume of licenses checked electronically, by these organisations, rose sharply by more than 22% on prior year; this represents an increase in the percentage growth rate on prior year by 34% over just one quarter. The total number of checks undertaken by EDECS users on behalf of UK fleets was in excess of 1.7M in 2014.According to ADLV Member Richard Brown the figures reflect both the news that the paper licence counterpart is set to disappear and awareness that the ADLV has been launched to advance the cause of commercial best-practice for electronic checking. In his view: “These figures are highly significant. They show that Fleet Managers are recognising that best-practice has changed and that electronic checking through a fully managed service from a professional third party is the right way to check driver entitlement; as it enables automated and continuous checking with full reporting and audit trails. We expect that these figures will continue to rise, especially as we get closer to the disappearance of the paper counterpart.“The change in practice has also been reinforced by a general understanding that the paper .pdf generated through the DVLA’s single record Share My Driving Licence alternative has no legal standing. There is also a concern, that PDF and printed paper documents are open to fraud, which could leave organisations exposed to compliance risk. Many Fleet managers see electronic checking as a superior and risk free path to follow and as the message spreads we expect a significant adoption of these processes over the next 6 months.”The current list of ADLV members that fleet managers can contact should they require driving licence checks is a follows:The AA, Admin Business Solutions, Chalcheck Ltd, Descartes Systems UK Ltd, DriveTech (UK) Ltd, Drivercheck Ltd., DrivingMonitor, Fleet Claims Administration Ltd, Fleet Partnership Solutions Ltd, GB Group plc., Jaama Ltd, Inchcape Fleet Solutions, Intelligent Data Systems (UK) Ltd, Interactive Driving Systems Ltd, Licence Bureau Ltd, Licence Check Ltd, and Pinewood Technologies.EndsNote To Editors: About the ADLV (www.adlv.co.uk) The Association for Driving License Verification has been established to promote and encourage best practice within the industry for the initial and continued validation of driver entitlement for responsible employers and road safety. The ADLV will both represent and regulate Members organisations in accordance with its rigorous Code of Conduct. For further information please contact:Richard Payne-GillADLV07534 199236richard.paynegill@adlv.co.uk www.adlv.co.uk or Leigh RichardsThe Right Image PR & Marketing Group07758 372527leigh.richards@therightimage.co.uk www.therightimage.co.uk Source: RealWire

ADLV Urges Quarterly Checks To Identify High Risk Drivers and Ensure Road Safety

The ADLV (Association for Driving Licence Verification) www.adlv.co.uk is calling for fleet managers to make more regular checks on driver licence entitlement. This would include quarterly checks for vocational fleets as a norm and more frequent checks where driver risk profiles warrant it. Currently, most organisations, including those with vocational fleets, work on just an annual or bi-annual basis. By establishing industry standards based on driver risk profiles, the ADLV believes that fleets will be able to more quickly identify high-risk groups, such as those with mobile phone misuse and other offences. In using the latest commercial licence checking systems, through an ADLV member to perform repeat checks, Fleet Managers can be sure that they have taken the appropriate action, minimised the risks to the public and boosted road safety. More frequent checking is a straightforward process for the ADLV's members. Their commercial checks can be repeated easily without the need for renewed consent each time; as informed consent is given for a three-year period. The ADLV believes that the highly practical nature of this approach compares favourably to the DVLA's ‘Share Driver Licence' option, which requires employees to submit their personal details for each check. This, claims the ADLV, could be disruptive in the workplace where it relies on manual processes to ensure drivers are checked frequently. The ADLV's Deputy Chair Richard Payne-Gill believes that a move to more regular checking will support both risk reduction and road safety. He notes, "Previously annual or bi-annual checks were deemed to be sufficient. However, the latest checking systems, available through ADLV members, deliver more regular checks and are already being followed by some major fleets. In our view more frequent automated commercial checking varied according to driver risk profile, will establish it self as the best-practice for all professional fleet managers."EndsNote To Editors: About the ADLV (www.adlv.co.uk) The Association for Driving License Verification has been established to promote and encourage best practice within the industry for the initial and continued validation of driver entitlement for responsible employers and road safety. The ADLV will both represent and regulate Members organisations in accordance with its rigorous Code of Conduct. The current list of ADLV members that Fleet managers can contact should they require driving licence checks is a follows:Admin Business Solutions, Chalcheck Ltd, Descartes Systems UK Ltd, DriveTech (UK) Ltd, Drivercheck Ltd., DrivingMonitor, Fleet Claims Administration Ltd, Fleet Partnership Solutions Ltd, GB Group plc., Jaama Ltd, Inchcape Fleet Solutions, Intelligent Data Systems (UK) Ltd, Interactive Driving Systems Ltd, Licence Bureau Ltd, Licence Check Ltd, Pinewood Technologies, Driver Hire Group Services Ltd.For further information please contact:Richard Payne-GillADLV07534 199236 richard.paynegill@adlv.co.uk www.adlv.co.ukor Leigh RichardsThe Right Image PR & Marketing Group07758 372527 leigh.richards@therightimage.co.uk www.therightimage.co.uk/ Source: RealWire

ADLV Survey Shows That 91% Of Hauliers Want Online CPC & Tacho Data Checking

A survey of over 100 senior UK haulage fleet managers, conducted by the Association for Driving Licence Verification (www.ADLV.co.uk), has shown that 91% of respondents want CPC & Tacho data to be available alongside online driving licence checks. They also believe that its inclusion would eliminate the industry’s current but imprecise reliance on visual data checking. A further 90% felt that the availability of CPC and Tacho information would make their own monitoring of driver entitlement easier, by supporting existing HR systems and acting as a single point of reference.The ADLV believes that the data, which is currently held by the DVSA and DVLA, could be easily made available alongside existing online driving licence data feeds. Should the data become available, the Association believes it would reduce employer risk, ensure a better-trained workforce and also improve road safety. The survey also questioned whether not knowing the training status of drivers presented the respondents with a significant administrative challenge? In all, 75% of those surveyed felt that this was indeed a challenging issue and that automating training status data would help reduce the burden considerably. In all 80% of respondents agreed with the ADLV that access to the information would also benefit road safety, help them to remind drivers about compliance issues and to raise awareness of employee fraud risks. Commenting on the survey, Kevin Curtis the ADLV’s Technical Director added, “This survey was conducted by our member companies over the last few months and reflects the views of 100 senior UK Haulage managers - many of whom come from fleets of over 100 vehicles. Quite simply, it highlights a significant demand for change. This data needs to be available, whether it's used to improve compliance, training, licence administration or more broadly to increase road safety. We have forwarded the respondents’ views to the DVLA and are optimistic that they will look sympathetically upon our call to action.”EndsNote To Editors: About the ADLV (www.adlv.co.uk) The Association for Driving License Verification has been established to promote and encourage best practice within the industry for the initial and continued validation of driver entitlement for responsible employers and road safety. The ADLV will both represent and regulate Members organisations in accordance with its rigorous Code of Conduct. For further information please contact:Richard Payne-GillADLV07534 199236richard.paynegill@adlv.co.uk www.adlv.co.uk or Leigh RichardsThe Right Image PR & Marketing Group07758 372527leigh.richards@therightimage.co.uk www.therightimage.co.uk Source: RealWire

Solar nano-grids light up homes and businesses in Kenya

First installations go live as INTASAVE Energy pursues $30M impact investment Villagers in Lemolo B and Echareria in Nakuru County, Kenya, are waking up today to a new future as new solar nano-grids installed over the last two weeks allows them to switch on lights and operate new agri-processing machinery. The two communities are the first to receive a revolutionary new model for clean, affordable and reliable energy where a central solar hub provides both commercial energy for new village enterprises and household energy using cutting-edge up-cycled laptop batteries. The hub allows energy to be shared between households, businesses and the community bringing economic, social and environmental benefits. The installation is the start of a major INTASAVE Energy solar nano-grid initiative (SONG) that ultimately aims to bring the benefits now beginning for villagers in Lemolo B and Echareria to over 450,000 people across the globe. INTASAVE Energy has launched a $30M impact investment programme to make this goal a reality. The Solar Nano-Grid (SONG) is a small network and solar-hub with a direct current (DC) inverter-less power output of 3-5kWP not connected with a utility grid. Each grid supports a small independent community of around 60 households, giving energy to around 300 people through household services and reaching many more by operating the centralized solar energy hub to provide power for micro-enterprises and community services with social, health and education impacts. With the development of micro-enterprises, the community can realise collective benefits, save money to extend their solar nano-grid systems and increase their energy consumption cleanly and sustainably. Not only is this model genuinely sustainable in terms of the technology used, it is also scalable in the long term with growing social benefits.INTASAVE’s SONG model has been initially supported by $600,000 of research and development funds provided by the UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) and the Department for International Development (DFID). First installations, including those being installed in Lemolo B and Echareria in Kenya, were funded from $100,000 raised through Crowdfunding.In order to take the programme to a global level, INTASAVE Energy is now undertaking a global impact investment initiative and Green/Climate Bond programme to raise $30 million in order to roll out the technology to around 1,500 communities in Kenya, South Africa and Mozambique in the next two years. This full impact investment will enable the provision of off-grid residential and community power (including agri-processing and community refrigeration) to around 450,000 people. ENDSFor further information please contact Sheila Lashford on +44 (0)7986 514240 or email sheila.lashford@intasave-caribsave.org. About INTASAVE EnergyINTASAVE Energy is an early stage company bringing clean electricity to communities in Africa and emerging markets, starting in Kenya, through its Solar Nano-Grid (SONG) renewable energy systems. The SONG is a small off-grid, direct current network running off a 3-5kWp solar hub. The SONG provides reliable, clean energy for communities and households and is designed to be a low-tech system. It is ideal for a developing world context and is easily maintained locally.INTASAVE Energy is part of the INTASAVE -CARIBSAVE Group.About The INTASAVE-CARIBSAVE GroupThe INTASAVE-CARIBSAVE Group is a global not-for-profit and environmental enterprise that innovates, connects and implements practical solutions for sustainable development and climate change. At the heart of what we do lies our in-depth understanding of the unique cultural, political and social context in the countries we work in.INTASAVE-CARIBSAVE Group has offices in several geographical areas: INTASAVE Africa, INTASAVE Asia-Pacific, INTASAVE Caribbean (CARIBSAVE), INTASAVE UK-Europe.Our VisionA world that responds to the opportunities and challenges of a changing climate and provides an equitable and sustainable future for all.Our MissionWorking with, and supporting, societies, economies, communities and environments in responding to a changing climate; providing innovative, dynamic and evidence-based tools and solutions. Our focus is innovation, and the connection and implementation of effective solutions, for policy and practice, to climate challenges. Source: RealWire

'Listening' DVLA Will Supply Tacho and CPC Data Through The ADLV

Following a recent survey of over 100 senior UK haulage fleet managers, conducted by the Association for Driving Licence Verification (ADLV) www.adlv.co.uk, the DVLA has now agreed to supply Tacho and CPC Data to the haulage industry. The data will be made available in the New Year, alongside driving licence data already available through the ADLV. The ADLV welcomes the news to make the data available and believes that it can be used to significantly reduce employer risk, ensure a better-trained workforce and improve road safety. The survey had shown that 91% of management respondents wanted CPC & Tacho data to be available alongside existing online driving licence checks. 90% also felt that the availability of the data could make their own monitoring of driver entitlement easier and improve support for existing HR systems. Commenting on the news, Richard Brown Managing Director of Licence Check, an ADLV member noted, “As a call to action our survey is hard to ignore, as it reflects the views of 100 senior UK Haulage managers - many of whom come from fleets of over 100 vehicles. However, that said, the upcoming release of Tacho and CPC data by the DVLA now is a testament to the DVLA’s ability to listen to the industry and to respond. For that they should be greatly commended. “Whether the data is now used to improve compliance, training, licence administration or more broadly to increase road safety, its impact will be extremely beneficial. We look forward to considering other data sets that will help fleet managers know their drivers better.”The current list of ADLV members that fleet managers can contact should they require online driver entitlement checks is as follows: Admin Business Solutions, Descartes Systems UK Ltd., Drivercheck Ltd., Driving Monitor, Fleet Claims Administration Ltd., GB Group plc, Intelligent Data Systems (UK) Ltd., Interactive Driving Systems Ltd., Jaama Ltd., Licence Bureau Ltd., Licence Check Ltd., Pinewood.EndsNote To Editors: About the ADLV (www.adlv.co.uk)The Association for Driving License Verification has been established to promote and encourage best practice within the industry for the initial and continued validation of driver entitlement for responsible employers and road safety. The ADLV will both represent and regulate Members organisations in accordance with its rigorous Code of Conduct. For further information please contact:Richard Payne-GillADLV07534 199236richard.paynegill@adlv.co.ukwww.adlv.co.ukor Leigh RichardsThe Right Image PR & Marketing Group07758 372527leigh.richards@therightimage.co.ukwww.therightimage.co.uk Source: RealWire

Strategic partnership announced between Proagrica and Dacom Farm Intelligence

Proagrica and Dacom Farm Intelligence have announced their collaboration to bring smart farm management and unique hardware products to the agriculture market with immediate effect. This will result in a unique combination of hyper-modern farm management software linked with expertise in the agricultural sector that has spanned more than 100 years. Proagrica, which publishes Farmers Weekly and the Dutch weekly Boerderij (since 1915) among other titles, also operates Farmplan and Gatekeeper software. At the end of last year, Proagrica acquired F4F, which brings proven integration technology and data analytics platforms to the agricultural supply chain. The strategic partnership with the Dutch company Dacom Farm Intelligence will expand its capability in farm management software and data solutions outside of the UK. According to Janneke Hadders, CEO of Dacom Farm Intelligence, “Dacom has been developing innovative and pioneering technologies for the agricultural sector for over 30 years. We bring together the world of data collection and the use of that data for specific advisory purposes. Data-driven decision making is the future for agriculture, and developments in that sector are moving rapidly. The partnership between Proagrica and Dacom will enable the use of data-driven advisory services to be accelerated. This will allow us to significantly improve our advisory services and enable us to offer growers even better solutions to help farmers deliver real farm efficiency improvements.” Casper Niesink, Managing Director, Software and Media at Proagrica, added “The partnership with Dacom fits perfectly with the strategy we are implementing at Proagrica. We are focussed on helping farmers deliver real on farm efficiency savings through evidence-based production, and smart technology solutions fit perfectly with this aim. We are looking forward to working with our colleagues across both businesses to ensure the agriculture industry has the tools it needs to deliver food sustainably and efficiently”. End Notes to Editors For further information please contact: Snezana Petrovic Sarah Carter Chief Marketing Officer Account Manager Proagrica rdp snezana.petrovic@proagrica.com scarter@rdp.co.uk +44 (0)20 8652 2077 +44 (0) 1452 429 175 Casper Niesink Janneke Hadders Managing Director, Software and Media CEO Proagrica Dacom casper.niesink@proagrica.com janneke@dacom.nl +44 (0)7795 458706 +44(0)31 655 745019 Proagrica is a global division of Reed Business Information and the RELX Group, a FTSE 100 company. Proagrica provides critical decision-support to the global agriculture industry by delivering high-value insight and data, trusted workflow tools, proven integration technology and effective channels-to-market. We’re proud of our market-leading brands in Europe, as well as a growing footprint in Australia, Asia Pacific, South Africa and the US. Our portfolio includes flagship media brands Farmers Weekly and Boerderij, as well as the latest in the integration and connectivity capabilities that F4F offers across the supply chain. We’re known for our industry leading farm management software Farmplan and GateKeeper, but with an increasing need for actionable insight from data and analytics, we have been developing new products in this area under our Agility brand. About Dacom Farm Intelligence Dacom Farm Intelligence is an innovative high-tech company that develops and supplies data-driven advisory technologies and sensor equipment to agricultural companies and the agribusiness around the world. All available and relevant data are converted into concrete advice via smart analyses. This enables our users to gain a better insight into their company and our solutions allow them to take better decisions. The result for growers and agribusiness is maximised yield with an economical and responsible use of resources such as water, crop protection products and fertiliser. https://www.dacom.nl/ About Reed Business Information Reed Business Information provides information, analytics and data to business professionals worldwide. Our strong global products and services hold market-leading positions across a wide range of industry sectors including banking, petrochemicals and aviation where we help customers make key strategic decisions every day. RBI is part of RELX Group, a world-leading provider of information and analytics for professional customers across industries. http://www.reedbusiness.com/ About RELX Group RELX Group is a world‐leading provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. The group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs approximately 30,000 people of whom half are in North America. RELX PLC is a London listed holding company which owns 52.9% of RELX Group. RELX NV is an Amsterdam listed holding company which owns 47.1% of RELX Group. The shares are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX and RENX. The total market capitalisation is approximately £27.4bn/€32.8bn/$34.9bn*. *Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investorcentre Source: RealWire