About
Since its founding in 2010, Simple Car Hire has evolved from a single location in Exeter into a thriving family-owned business with branches across the southwest, including Plymouth, Torbay, and Totnes.
Despite this impressive growth, the Simple Car Hire team remains committed to delivering exceptional rental solutions and prioritising reliable, convenient, and affordable transportation for locals and visitors.
Managing Director Neal Hewitt acknowledges that rapid expansion necessitates robust systems to keep ahead of the game. Simple Car Hire has implemented Prohire Software to address this challenge, ensuring their operations align with their ambitious growth trajectory.

The Start of the Journey
After discussing with sales department members, the Simple Car Hire team adopted Prohire Software. Neal emphasises that the critical factor that set Prohire apart from its competitors was “Trust. What we were being sold is what we got; a few other suppliers promised the earth, but somehow, I didn’t believe them!” This foundation of trust is crucial for building long-term success and is evident in every aspect of Prohire’s operations. The commitment to transparency and reliability fosters a strong partnership between Prohire and its clients, which is vital in a competitive market.
The importance of this trust is reflected in the seamless support provided by Prohire. From the customer success team to the dedicated support staff, every member is focused on ensuring the installation process occurs as smoothly as possible. In Neal’s experience, this onboarding journey was “so simple. Our guy was Mike Carlyle—we easily went through everything.” This positive onboarding experience alleviated concerns and set the stage for a fruitful collaboration.
The comprehensive services offered by Prohire Software have empowered Simple Car Hire to grow by “operating our business as efficiently as possible.” By streamlining operations and integrating various functions, Prohire allows Simple Car Hire to focus on enhancing customer satisfaction and expanding their service offerings. At its core, Prohire is an integrated ecosystem that seamlessly combines different solutions, acting as a central hub where all essential functions converge. This integration empowers team members to work together more effectively, improving communication and productivity.
Prohire’s dynamic approach makes it a vital force in the vehicle rental industry, continually fostering innovation and adaptation to changing market demands. Neal notes that Simple Car Hire “is consistently looking for new ways of doing business which mainly involves the software.” This commitment to leveraging technology enhances operational efficiency and positions Simple Car Hire for sustained growth and success in the competitive landscape.
Prohire: The Efficient Solution
Neal provided a series of specific examples that highlight the significant impact of Prohire Software on the efficiency of Simple Car Hire’s rental operations. He reflected on the challenges before adopting Prohire, stating, “Before Prohire, we had a standalone rental system, which required a huge amount of paperwork and manual input.” This reliance on manual processes created considerable headaches for the staff, as dealing with mountains of paperwork was time-consuming and increased the risk of non-compliance with data regulations.
Neal elaborated on the difficulties posed by the outdated system, recalling, “The accounting side was a lot more difficult as everything was paper, which made it challenging to find data in the archive.” The cumbersome nature of paper records hindered efficiency and created obstacles in accessing vital information when needed most. Furthermore, Neal pointed out that “damage was harder to trace as we only had paper records.” This lack of immediate access to accurate data complicated daily operations and hampered the ability to address issues swiftly.
Thanks to Prohire, these challenges have been effectively mitigated. The transition to a fully integrated system has streamlined rental processes, significantly reducing the paperwork burden and enabling staff to focus on delivering excellent customer service. The centralised digital records allow real-time tracking of vehicle conditions and damage history, enhancing transparency and accountability. This transformation improves operational efficiency and ensures compliance with data regulations, ultimately positioning Simple Car Hire for continued success in a competitive industry.
Neal adds, “Companion has drastically changed how we deal with damage disputes.” This enhancement is evident in the process implemented before each rental, where the vehicle’s condition is meticulously recorded and agreed upon in Prohire Companion, complete with the client’s signature. This proactive approach helps prevent potential disputes down the line.
Upon the vehicle’s return, another thorough inspection is conducted, allowing the condition to be reassessed and agreed upon with the client. If discrepancies in the vehicle’s condition are detected, the client can be charged immediately, streamlining the resolution process and eliminating the need to chase payment later. This systematic procedure enhances transparency and fosters trust between Simple Car Hire and its customers.
Yet for Neal, the most beneficial feature of Prohire Software is Proweb. “Proweb completed our website; 70% of our retail business comes online.” This feature is specifically designed to expand Simple Car Hire’s reach to a broader range of customers online. Proweb provides real-time availability updates, ensuring customers have access to the most current information and enhancing their overall satisfaction.
The 24/7 online booking feature allows customers to reserve a vehicle anytime. This convenience not only streamlines the booking process but also significantly contributes to the growth of the business, making it easier for customers to engage with Simple Car Hire at their convenience.
Prohire Trackers are another crucial element that has aided Simple Car Hire in its quest for efficiency. Prohire Trackers can integrate data from across the Prohire ecosystem that genuinely sets it apart from its competitors, allowing the team to set up custom alerts and keep all relevant information in one centralised location. Neal states, “We’ve had Telematics for years, but having it all in one place is a bonus.” This streamlined access to data simplifies operations and enhances decision-making processes, enabling Simple Car Hire to respond quickly to any issues or opportunities. By harnessing this integrated system, the company can improve fleet management and maintain high service standards, further solidifying its commitment to customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
Overall, Simple Car Hire has experienced significant benefits from Prohire’s efficiency. Neal highlights that Prohire “gives us a professional, larger company feel with our clients and zero paper!” This transformation enhances the company’s image and contributes to a more organised and effective workflow. When asked why he would recommend Prohire Software, Neal succinctly stated, “It works!” highlighting the software’s reliability and effectiveness in meeting business needs.
Prohire Software’s principal aim is to improve the efficiency of your rental business. Our all-in-one, integrated system is designed to streamline and optimise your operations, ensuring you stay ahead in this competitive industry.
With features tailored to enhance customer satisfaction and operational performance, Prohire equips businesses like Simple Car Hire to thrive in an ever-evolving market.