3 February 2026, Farnborough, UK – Alphabet (GB) has launched a cutting-edge downtime management (DTM) system designed to maximise vehicle availability and reduce costly downtime for its fleet customers.
Built with fleet operators in mind, the system is exclusively managed by Alphabet’s dedicated Downtime Management team and delivers comprehensive end-to-end control – from booking through repair completion and right through to vehicle return – ensuring fleets stay on the move and operational costs are tightly managed.
At its core is a bespoke workflow, enabling clear and proactive communication between agents, workshops, fleet drivers and their managers. It provides real-time status updates and alerts to optimise service workflows and minimise fleet disruption, whether the vehicle is off-road for a planned or unplanned event.
While allowing the users greater administration control and a modern, intuitive user interface, it will also benefit customers through enhanced fleet performance reporting, root cause analysis, and warranty and mobility costs identification.
It will be used to support all customers on maintained lease agreements, with the UK being the first market in Europe to benefit from this innovative solution.
Miles Tetlow, Head of Service Management at Alphabet (GB), said: “Our new downtime management platform facilitates end-to-end case control, from booking to repair completion, with real-time updates between agents, workshops and customers. It’s the latest demonstration of Alphabet’s investment in, and commitment to, downtime reduction, which we know is a critical issue for customers reliant on fleet availability.”
Developed in partnership with i247, the system’s bespoke nature enables it to be tailored specifically to fleet operational needs, providing greater flexibility and functionality than off-the-shelf products. Consequently, Alphabet believes no comparable tool available today matches it for functionality and convenience.
Key benefits for fleet operators include:
· Dynamic prioritisation of repairs, distinguishing between planned maintenance and unexpected breakdowns to optimise resource allocation and reduce vehicle off-road time
· Integrated customer care through a centralised portal, managing repair estimates, arranging courtesy vehicles, and customer communications directly via their preferred channel, whether call, email or SMS
· Detailed reporting and analytics for enhanced transparency, enabling continuous improvement and better decision-making around fleet maintenance strategies
· Robust security and access controls, ensuring data protection and compliance
The insights harvested from the platform’s enhanced reporting of vehicle off-road time and fault causes will translate into actionable, targeted interventions, such as driver education to reduce preventable breakdowns. Ultimately, it will improve fleet reliability and reduce operational costs.
This launch marks a significant step towards a more connected, automated vehicle service ecosystem, with scalability and future enhancements designed to meet evolving fleet management needs, including parts pre-ordering and integration with telematics systems.
“Our bespoke downtime management system is grounded in Alphabet’s extensive fleet expertise and unique service philosophy.” added Tetlow. “Its customer-centric design ensures accountability from car manufacturers and supports fair warranty and repair processes, safeguarding fleet operators from unexpected costs.”
