For those unfamiliar, how would you explain the role of asset auditing at SBS? Why is it essential?
Jim Wright: Asset auditing ensures financed assets, like cars at dealerships, are in the right location and condition. Traditionally done by auditors, it was costly and time-consuming. Now, a mobile app lets dealers conduct audits by capturing photos with GPS and timestamp data, validated remotely. This digital approach cuts costs, enables frequent audits, and offers flexibility.
For SBS, integrating asset auditing into our finance platform enhances our offering, reduces customer effort, and strengthens retention while attracting new clients.
What does your role as the Head of Software Engineering Digital involve?
Jim Wright: Two years ago, I took charge of the Digital Audit development team after the Luminosity acquisition. The team faced a significant challenge: their CTO was leaving just as they started a major project for Nextgear in the US.
My role was to evaluate the technical maturity of their product and processes and guide the team in transitioning from a startup mindset to an enterprise-level software development lifecycle (SDLC) while maintaining agility. I provide technical leadership, foster innovation, and build a culture of high performance.
Could you share an example of a recent project where asset auditing was a game-changer for SBS or its clients?
Jim Wright: A key project I worked on was the digital asset auditing for Nextgear in the US, a game-changer for both our company and theirs. It was the largest customer we had ever had, and getting it live was a significant achievement. The project not only improved their auditing process and risk management but also helped identify poorly behaving dealerships and issues with their internal auditors. The collaboration was exceptional, with both sides working as one team. This project was a major milestone and positioned us for greater success, leaving both companies in a much better place.
Can you share an example of a project that illustrates your daily work?
Jim Wright: I’m currently working on AVS (Automated Verification Service), a system designed to address scalability issues with verifying images. With the influx of photos, especially from large clients like NGC with 20,000 dealerships, we needed a way to automate image validation rather than hire more staff. AVS uses machine learning and AI to check that images, like VIN plates, are valid. The challenge lies in ensuring that images aren’t faked, like photos of VIN plates that are manipulated or taken from another car. We’re currently auto-approving about 70% of images, which is a solid achievement.
How can you tell which photos are fake and which are real?
Jim Wright: Identifying fake images involves training a machine learning system to spot signs like pixelation or screen glare, which often appear in photos taken from a screen. Images with these issues are flagged for human verification. While 10% of approved images are double-checked by humans, the goal is to minimize manual effort and focus on complex cases. AI and humans work together to detect issues, such as fake VIN plates, though some sophisticated attempts by dealers are still uncovered by the system.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about asset auditing?
Jim Wright: The most surprising thing I’ve learned about asset auditing is the extent to which dealers will go to hide the fact that they’ve sold a car. Coming from a wholesale background, I hadn’t realized the lengths some dealers will take to manipulate the system, like covering up sales or using fake VIN plates. Some of the tricks are quite clever, making it an eye-opening part of the process.
What’s one lesson from your career that shapes how you approach your work today?
Jim Wright: Leadership is challenging and multifaceted, requiring immense care, commitment, and consistency. I often compare it to going to the gym: after one session, you may not see immediate results, but you persist, trusting in the long-term benefits. Leadership works the same way.
A title or position doesn’t make you a leader. Delivering a presentation on strategy and vision won’t instantly earn your team’s trust or confidence. Leadership is about consistently doing the right, often difficult, things—helping others, being honest, and leading by example every single day.
Trust and respect are built over time, and only when you’ve created a safe, trusting environment with a shared sense of purpose can innovation thrive, and productivity and creativity truly flourish.
Do you have any hobbies or interests that influence how you approach challenges?
Jim Wright: My main focus outside of work is my three kids. I see a lot of similarities between parenting and leadership, both requiring care, effort, and a focus on long-term benefits rather than easy solutions. This perspective helps me approach challenges with patience and a commitment to growth, both in teams and at home.
What keeps you inspired in your work?
Jim Wright: Pride drives me—I want to be proud of my achievements and inspire pride in my family and friends. I’m motivated by the challenge of continuous improvement, striving to be better today than I was yesterday. As Matthew McConaughey famously said, “My hero is me 10 years from now,” and that’s who I’m chasing. As an engineer at heart, I love solving problems and helping others do the same, making me fortunate to spend 90% of my time doing what I love.
What do you see as the future of asset auditing? Are there trends or technologies you’re particularly excited about?
Jim Wright: In the future, asset auditing in the automotive market may become less necessary, especially for new vehicles equipped with telemetry that tracks location and usage, like Tesla’s system. This could lead to automatic auditing without the need for dealers to take pictures. We’re exploring technologies, like long-range WAN, to automate tracking of vehicles. Additionally, we’re considering pivoting into industries like real estate development, where our app could help track project milestones for funding, offering similar audit capabilities outside the automotive sector.
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