Uptake of auto-quote functionality from National Coach Network among operators is growing and the supplier says that significant work behind the scenes ensures that the platform delivers accurate prices based on the data shared by each of those partners.
250 are signed up so far, with more joining at Euro Bus Expo. Sales Director Adam Hoile (pictured, right) says that rollout continues on a geographic basis and notes that the product has had “a very positive response” from operators.
“The system is built around what the operator specifies, not the lowest price,” he explains, adding that auto-quote was in development for three years.
Mr Hoile says that auto-quote is not configured to tell operators what they should charge, and nor is it built around the lowest figure. Instead, participating businesses input their own data to enable creation of a bespoke pricing model.
Managing Director Matthew Atkinson (pictured, left) adds that acceptance has been good. “One thing I thought would be more of a challenge was operators’ willingness to share data, although we have been working with them for a long time and have built up trust.
“They spend up to 30 minutes twice per year ensuring that their data in the back end is up to date, but overall, this platform is much less labour-intensive than quoting individually.” National Coach Network regularly runs its own analysis to ensure accuracy of quotes, he adds.
Development of auto-quote took around three years “because accuracy was our first priority,” continues Mr Atkinson. “Operators have been feeding back on the initial process and they can update their data when needed.” National Coach Network also runs its own analysis of quotes to ensure that they are accurate, he says.
