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The following SMART 100 profile and the information it contains is a duplication of content submitted by the applicant during the entry process. As a function of entry, applicants were required to declare that all details are factually correct, do not infringe on another’s intellectual property and are not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Some profiles have been edited for reasons of space and clarity.

This innovation initially came to life when…

AutoCarLog was created as a result of a challenge, a challenge to build a successful technology startup in just seven days and for less than $500. It was born from the need to modernise paperback vehicle mileage logbooks with a convenient, fast, environmentally friendly and tech-based approach.

And so on the seventh day AutoCarLog was finished. And there was much rejoicing.

WHAT & HOW

The purpose of this innovation is to…

AutoCarLog is an automated vehicle mileage logbook which you keep up to date using SMS. To use, you simply SMS your mileage at the end of each trip. At the end of the year, AutoCarLog automatically calculates your allowable tax deduction.

It does this by…

AutoCarLog has a custom-built SMS modem which receives incoming texts. The modem translates the SMS and sends the data to the AutoCarLog server; the server then populates the online table of car trips and calculates the business use percentage.

PURPOSE & BENEFITS

This innovation improves on what came before because…

Before AutoCarLog, people had to first compile their vehicle mileage in a paper-based logbook, or worse, on sticky notes. Then at the end of the financial year, they had to type all this up and manually calculate their business use percentage. AutoCarLog improves on this by being fully autonomous from start to finish.

Its various benefits to the customer/end-user include…

The major benefits to the consumer is the time saved at the end of the year when they would otherwise have to write up their logbook. AutoCarLog automatically calculates the business use percentage and claimable amount.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

In the past, this problem was solved by…

Before AutoCarLog, people had to use a paperback logbook and then manually calculate their business use percentage, or they could invest in an iPhone application. AutoCarLog fills the void by working on any mobile phone and removes the unnecessary waste of a paper logbook and saves the consumer time at tax time.

Its predecessors/competitors include…

Predecessors include the humble paper logbook sold at office suppliers and competitors to the market are iPhone based apps, online websites, excel spreadsheets and sticky notes.

TARGET MARKET

It is made for…

The target market is the SME who uses a private vehicle for business and private use and the savvy investor who has purchased a vehicle on a lease and is required to maintain a mileage log. The target market in Australia is estimated at over 1,000,000 consumers, last year one tax accountancy firm completed 700,000 tax returns and gave out 115,000 paper-based log books to their clients. (AutoCarLog is in the final stages of discussion with this firm for a joint venture.)

DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY

It is available for sale through…

AutoCarLog is available for sale at www.autocarlog.com, through affiliate websites and shortly through a ‘pre-paid’ physical card for sale in office suppliers.

Our marketing strategy is to…

AutoCarLog is targeting the marketplace by leveraging existing client bases from large accountancy firms through joint ventures. Guerrilla marketing techniques include offering free use of the service to clients to refer AutoCarLog to three of their friends through the AutoCarLog “Mooch” program.

SUPPORTING IMAGES AND/OR VIDEO

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS INNOVATION

While the judging is now officially over, you can still show your support for this innovation in one of the following three ways:

1. Hit the VOTE UP button: Top left of each page (Not available for IE users)
2. Trigger a Reaction: Re-Tweet, Like on Facebook, etc
3. Leave a Comment: Share the love!

To check out the Anthill SMART 100 Readers’ Choice winner for 2010, click here ^[5].