HPI combats fraud with PQ Africa assisted information management system

Hire Purchase Information (HPI) has stepped up the fight against the high level of fraud in the automotive industry through the rapidly increasing acceptance and use of Autocheck, a centralised vehicle information system. The Autocheck system is saving the automotive industry millions each year by supplying key players with up to date information on motor vehicles. PQ Africa, through Q Data Consulting, was the partner selected by HPI to assist with the development of the system.

Information stored in a central database makes it possible for all motor related industries, specialising in vehicle trading, financing or insurance transactions, to positively identify vehicles. This source of information now enables motor traders, potential buyers, financiers and insurers to investigate the "real time" status of a vehicle, thus avoiding buying a suspect vehicle or financing a vehicle which has been financed already.

"The HPI service enables subscribers, via the Autocheck enquiry procedure, to increase profitability by reducing or avoiding losses due to the trading of invalid or stolen vehicles," says Dr Henni Boudjelthia managing director of HPI. "The system pre-emptively avoids involvement in fraud, double discounting and other practices prevalent in South Africa. These practices usually result in ownership disputes, confiscation by the SA Police Services, finance houses or insurers and therefore financial loss to innocent parties."

Referring to the development of the system, Rachel Wickwar, executive director of Q Data Consulting explains that this project demonstrates the depth and breadth of skill within the PQ Africa group and its ability to work on total IT solutions. "Q Data Consulting, the consulting division of PQ Africa worked closely with HPI management and overseas experts in the design, development and installation of the initial system. PQ Networks and Nanoteq assisted with the network infrastructure, including the firewall and Q Data Internet developed the initial Secure Socket Layer (SSL) web interface."

To maintain the ongoing development of the service, its flexibility and ability to respond to the evolving fraud and crime trends in the market, data providers and subscribers interact with HPI and the database is updated regularly. Data providers comprise of the major motor manufacturers, financial institutions, insurance companies and other role players in the automotive industry. External users can access the system by either dialing a call centre or accessing the system using remote access.

Once the user has made an inquiry on a particular vehicle, users can elect to have the results of the inquiry communicated to them in an electronic form. All transaction details are logged and users are billed at the end of the month.

Wickwar concludes that the success of the project can be attributed to teamwork and the significant prior experience and involvement of the client. "From the onset, HPI managed the design and testing of the system whilst fully and correctly integrating PQ Africa skills and services. This interaction facilitated commitment from both sides and resulted in a tailor made solution for the client and another reference site for PQ Africa."