ERA publication shares digitisation success stories
07 February 2022
The European Rental Association has updated its ERA Casebook ‘Examples of best practice for digitisation and IT in the rental industry’ with case studies from three rental companies.
The new edition of the Casebook - which can be downloaded from the ERA website - contains full-length case studies on digitalisation intiatives at Switzerland headquartered company Avesco Rent, and Nordic firms Ramirent and Renta Group.
Avesco’s FastRent is an online platform enabling users to carry out digital, paper-free processes.
Avesco Rent has implemented FastRent, an online platform enabling users to carry out digital, paper-free processes.
Customers use it to hire machines, book transport, pay online and receive digital invoices. It also automates processes such as ensuring machines are in stock and negotiating prices.
CEO Vincent Albasini said Avesco Rent had “radically” changed its workplace culture to remove business silos and make the most of digitalisation.
Meanwhile Ramirent uses apps from UK specialist Spartan Solutions, integrated with its existing rental software platform, to digitalise processes including delivery to inspections and servicing.
Renta Group has built proprietary apps for all its internal business processes, as well as the customer-facing Renta Easy app, all of which are housed in Renta Connect.
Renta’s early adoption of digital tools has enabled its rapid international growth.
Pierre Boels, ERA President, said: “These examples of best practice aim to demonstrate how embracing the digital age can provide us with strong foundations for the future success of the equipment rental industry.”
The ERA has also published advice to businesses on digitalisation on its website. It stresses the importance of fully embracing digitalisation rather than adding it on top of existing structures and processes.
“Digitisation can differentiate you from your competitors and move you up the value chain,” the ERA said, adding; “Ensure that innovation is driven by what your customers and stakeholders really want.”
The ERA has also commissioned a study into the ‘Impact of Digitalisation on Rental’ to raise awareness among rental companies in Europe, including SMEs and national associations, about the challenges of digitalisation .
A preliminary report on the study will be presented at the ERA Convention in June 2022 and the final report published in the autumn.
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