Learn more about us..
Our Approach
Unlike many systems that start off as small client systems and are then expanded out, our approach was to step back and design a system from the ground up, with all the key underlying components required to run an enterprise level car rental business from the outset. The result is that Era can handle the complexities inherent in any car rental company, regardless of its size or operating model.
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Because Era was not built for a specific client we could avoid any compromises that can occur when under client pressure. This meant we could ensure optimum design of our core engines and features critical for the successful delivery of our product.
All Era’s design and development takes place internally at Fourth Tier in the UK. This approach allows us to retain full control of the design and development process, therefore avoiding the pitfalls associated with outsourced development in a highly specialised industry.
The Fourth Tier Story
Fourth Tier Solutions was founded in 1999 because we recognised a significant gap in the market for vehicle rental systems. Working in the rental industry for many years, we had evaluated all the major software products. It was clear that single and global operators in both corporate and franchisee environments lacked a true, enterprise-level solution capable of meeting their diverse needs. We were inspired to setup Fourth Tier to fill this gap.
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The design brief was simple in conception, but complex in execution. The solution had to be able to service global operators, where both corporate and licensee owners work together across international boundaries, and national/regional operators including agencies and independents. The objective was to produce a solution that combines powerful and intuitive point-of-sale features with sophisticated management functionality based on leading edge technology to ensure delivery of the optimum rental solution to operators.
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We therefore took the decision to build an enterprise-level solution, using leading edge technology, from the ground up. Importantly, Era was designed with no constraints and without the pressures inherent in developing a system for a specific client.
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We believe that Era is the only system available that truly meets these objectives, because highly innovative design features were built into its foundations from the outset. It has the sophisticated underlying components required to effectively support our original design aims. At its core, there is a highly sophisticated, multi-dimensional location hierarchy that will support any business operating model.
The next step was to establish Era in the marketplace and to prove the solution working in an enterprise-level operation. We achieved this in 2005 with the implementation of era into Budget Rent a Car International. Budget implemented Era across 7 European countries and 200 locations. Era provided one central solution for Budget, allowing it’s corporate and licensee operations to work together in a simple, highly efficient and secure environment.
Further installations into new clients in global markets quickly followed; we have been very fortunate to work with some of the most highly regarded names in the vehicle rental industry. Check them out here:
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We continue to grow our company and work extremely hard to ensure we listen to, support and grow with our existing clients and partners whilst always looking to offer Era into exciting new challenges and clients as we move forward.
Meet the Team..
Paul Gallen
MD and Co-Founder
Responsible for Business & Strategic development of Fourth Tier. Over 35 years in Information Technology. 12 years as Systems Development Manager with Budget Rent A Car International. Experience in leading large-scale implementations accross EMEA for Corporate / Franchised international operations.
Anthony Davies
CTO and Co-Founder
Co-founder of Fourth Tier, Anthony is CTO and chief architect with overall responsibility for IT strategy, solutions architecting and product development.
30+ years in Information Technology, 12 of which were with Budget Rent A Car International as one of their chief IT architects. Anthony has extensive experience and expertise in reservation and front counter systems as well as business process, systems design and latest technologies.
Andy Hamblin
Head of Client Services
Andy has been with Fourth Tier for over 12 years and is responsible for Sales & Marketing, Client Relationships and Business Development. Andy has over 15 years’ experience working in International Sales & Marketing with Budget Rent a Car International, holding Director level positions in Budget’s EMEA Corporate and Franchised operations.
Sandra Saxon
Product Services Manager
Sandra has been with Fourth Tier for over 17 years and is responsible for product quality assurance, configuration and testing. Sandra has extensive vehicle rental industry experience and as International reservation manager for Budget Rent a Car International, has led multi-disciplined Call Centre teams for over 15 years.
Jonathan Doyle
Systems Development Manager
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Jonathan has been with Fourth Tier for over 7 years and is responsible for managing the Fourth Tier development team with a key role in all aspects of the development life cycle. Jonathan has extensive technical and managerial experience gained in senior technical and product development roles with software houses specialising in HR, finance and automotive.
Nick Renshaw
Training and Implementations Manager
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Nick brings over 16 years’ experience from within the vehicle rental industry to his role as Training and Implementations Manager for Fourth Tier. Nick has worked with multiple Franchise and Corporate locations, predominantly in the APAC region through the Thrifty/Sixt network. Nick has extensive expertise in operations and fleet and has run his own rental operation through an agency model.
Andy Pratley
Head of Global Sales and Account Management
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Andy brings to Fourth Tier over 25 years’ experience in the car rental industry, having held senior positions with major international car rental brands across the EMEA and APAC regions, as well as business ownership.
Andy will spearhead the global growth strategy for Fourth Tier’s ERA software solution, manage key accounts and develop key partnerships for the business.