Tag: testimonial

The Dealer Who’s Different Demands a DMS Who Cares

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Making the move to a new Dealer Management System requires careful consideration from the stakeholders at your dealership. When evaluating the technology that houses the data driving your business, your entire staff will be affected by making the switch. For the team at Greg Hubler Automotive, who made the switch to a new-to-market DMS in early 2022, the promise of a better experience for both their guests and their people was reason enough to leap into the unknown. However, when the promise from their vendor was under-delivered and their employee morale took a big hit, Matt Lohmiller, VP of Operations, was ready to pull the plug. Greg Hubler Automotive is a different kind of dealer—one who truly values its people and its guests. Here’s their story.

A DMS Partner Who Lives Up to Their Promise

A few months after implementing their new DMS, Lohmiller received feedback from his team that things weren’t on the up and up. “I was going to potentially be losing some team members if we stayed (with the other DMS) …and I couldn’t have that.” Employee retention and satisfaction have always been key components of what makes Greg Hubler unique. While going through multiple DMS switches within several months isn’t ideal, Lohmiller took careful consideration from his team and decided to switch to Dealertrack DMS. After hearing their input, it was clear which direction they wanted to go. “We had to make the change,” he recalls.

A Partner Committed to Their Success

A key benefit of making the switch to Dealertrack DMS was the ability to observe the implementation process first-hand and compare the difference from Greg Hubler’s previous provider. The switch to Dealertrack DMS was more streamlined and the level of support “has been great, all around,” said Lohmiller. “Even after the implementation team has left, we have a Performance Manager we can reach out to any time.”

For the people at Greg Hubler, the difference has been night and day. The change enabled ownership and management to keep their promise of being a different kind of dealer—one that listens to team members cares for customers and prioritizes people.

Looking for a DMS who matches your values? Read Greg Hubler’s full story here. 

Making the Switch to Your New DMS

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Changing technologies might be the right move for your dealership, but it’s never an easy decision. Many dealers hold off switching to a new Dealer Management System for fear of disrupting workflows and downtime. It’s not a decision that any dealer takes lightly, which is why it’s so important to find a DMS partner committed to helping you every step of the way. Watch this video and discover why making the move to a more flexible DMS was worth the switch for these real-world franchise auto groups.

Trusted Partners

Your DMS provider should be invested in your success. When it comes to the time for installation, your new DMS team should be on-site, ensuring that your dealership has everything it needs to succeed. That means answering your questions, ensuring that every employee is up to speed, and employing industry best practices for data migration and installation.

Ongoing Support

Once your installation is complete, your new DMS partner should help you get the most out of your new technology. Your provider should have an ongoing presence in your dealership, consulting with your teams on a regular basis to improve performance and help enact operational changes when necessary. Because technology and the auto sales industry are constantly changing, your DMS partner should be forward-thinking, providing ongoing support and updates to help your dealership grow, as the industry evolves.

Watch the video below to see how real-world dealers, like you, made a successful transition to a new DMS and DMS partner.

Control Your Data with the Right DMS Partner

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Your dealership’s data is your business, literally. It’s the key to invaluable insights into your customers, your operation, and the overall performance of your dealership. When you’re in control of how you run your operation—and whom you choose to do business with—you not only save time, but you also save money. Find out why dealers like you are switching to a DMS partner with open and integrated solutions. Watch the video.

Seamless Open Integration

Are you spending money to access data you already own? It sounds wild, but certain vendors can and do charge (often hidden) fees just to access customer information. The average dealership now uses up to seven software systems to complete a sale—and that can add up over the course of a year. Most franchise dealers are paying up to $42,000 every year on integration fees, alone. * (Yowza.) A DMS partner who offers seamless integration with bi-directional data flow and third-party software and OEM integration, would speed up processes and save dealers a lot of cash.

Real-Time Insights

How you access your data is just as important as how you share it. Your data should be on demand, not waiting for you the next day after a lengthy overnight download. Your DMS partner should empower you to access your data when you want, whenever you want. With unrestricted data access, you can get up-to-the-minute insight into transactions, account balances, and dealership performances. You have the freedom to make quick, effective decisions at a moment’s notice, with every possible piece of information.

It’s your data. You should be able to access it when, and where, you need it most.

See how real-world dealers, like you, are taking control of their data with a true DMS partner in the video below. 

References

*Avg. $500/month x 7 third-party apps x 12 months = $42,000/year

 

Find a DMS Partner Invested in Your Success

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A good salesperson can earn your business. And, often, that business transaction ends at the point of sale. But a great partnership is built long after the ink dries on the contract. Your DMS partner should work hard to help you achieve success. Improving your day-to-day operations and accomplishing long-term goals is an investment in the future. You expect your technology to do a lot for your organization. It’s time to start expecting more from your partners. See why dealers like you are making the decision to switch to a partner invested in their success. Watch the video.

An Invested Partner

A great business partner should empower you to be the company you want to be. That means working with your team to ensure a seamless installation and technology migration. It means helping you find solutions to all your questions and working with your dealership to get the most out of your technology. Your DMS partner should be an invaluable resource to you, helping your team navigate industry complexities, enact operational change, and grow your business.

An Intuitive Technology

Any technology you take the time and resources to invest in should be intuitive to learn for new and experienced employees alike. It should make your operations more efficient by reducing the number of clicks to complete a task and making it easy to access information. That includes being flexible enough to integrate seamlessly with third-party systems and meet the requirements of every dealership department.

Flexible Contract Terms

Finally, your business partners should be easy to do business with. Technology providers should earn your business every month, giving you the freedom to choose and the ability to change direction at any time. That means offering flexible contract terms, not auto-renew clauses. In other words, you should be in control of the direction of your dealership, not your DMS provider.

Watch the video below to see how real-world dealers, like you, have made the transition to a DMS partner that’s invested in their success.

 

 

 

 

The New Rules of Data Access in Auto

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Your dealership runs on technology. And technology runs on data. Mostly. Having access to the right data, at the right time, without problems like hidden fees or nightmare integration challenges, is extremely important. In the brave new world of “all things Big Data,” dealers need to know the three rules of Data Access.

Rule 1 – Data Must Work Well With Others

In one study1¹, dealers used an average of 6.8 third-party software integrations to run their dealership. That’s a lot of getting along and playing nice. While this sounds like a lot, the fact that your have the ability to pick and choose the systems that work together is quite remarkable. “(Dealertrack) doesn’t restrict us to just one particular product,” explains Ken Barczyszyn, CFO of Dwyane Lane’s Auto Family. “We can have other relationships with other vendors and products and Dealertrack is open to that.” See it in action.

Rule 2 – Data Cannot Cost an Arm and a Leg

With multiple software integrations, dealers face the real risk of being taken advantage of by unscrupulous vendors. Accessing your very own data can suddenly come at a cost—a cost that can add up to $42,000 per year². If that sounds unbelievable, consider that many of these fees often go unnoticed and simply add up over time. With as many as half a dozen vendors charging you to access what you already own, those data fees chipping away at your profits can start to feel unfair. See how it adds up.

Rule 3 – Data Must Not be Held Hostage

If you’re considering switching to a new technology like a state-of-the-art Dealer Management System (DMS), consider this: signing a contract should protect, not prohibit, the data that you own. Your data—customer names, personally identifiable information (PII), and records of your transactions—need to be protected. But that doesn’t give a vendor the right to hold them hostage from you. Learn why it matters.

Discover a truly open DMS and find out what your technology is costing you. Learn more.

Sources:

¹https://us.dealertrack.com/content/dealertrack/en/challenges/data-fees.html
²https://us.dealertrack.com/content/dealertrack/en/challenges/data-fees.html

3 Ways Easy-to-Learn Technology is Good For Your Business

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Technology changes every day and, often, businesses have a difficult time keeping up. When your dealership falls behind the technology curve, it’s painfully obvious. Auto dealers, famously, tend to hang onto old technology. While staying put and “making do” with outdated technology is very common, it doesn’t have to be that way. Adopting a Dealer Management System (DMS) that is designed to be easy-to-learn is good for you, your business, and your team. Here are three surprising impacts of implementing easy-to-learn technology at your dealership.

Faster Onboarding Time

According to one study, it can take up to eight months for your fresh new hires to reach productivity. How many lost sales are walking out the door during that time frame? When your dealership runs on a DMS that is easier to dive into, more intuitive, and that doesn’t require endless memorization, you can rest assured that your team can go from “personnel to professional,” faster.

Hire for the Skills You Want

Dealership turnover reached an overall high at 46% recently, causing many employers to hire based solely on DMS experience to reduce the amount of training required. The problem? Your customer experience will begin to suffer if your staff is chosen based on a skillset that has nothing to do with them. However, bringing in an employee who matches the culture of your dealership, who can learn your DMS, and who is likely to grow with your team in the long term, is a valuable asset.

Engaged Employees Want to be Developed

The workforce is changing as more millennials enter the job market every year. This group of smart, digital natives are eager to learn and happy to work in an exciting industry. And at the top of their list of needs? You guessed it: professional development. In fact, 87% of millennials cited professional development as their top need—above time off and compensation—when looking for a career. If your DMS doesn’t offer continued learning options and a community where they can continue to develop their skills, you will lose them.

While choosing a new DMS is certainly a big decision, finding one that your team can learn without a struggle can help everyone in so many ways. Your new hires can quickly get up-to-speed faster while your hiring managers can recruit for the skills that match your company’s mission and goals. Plus, as your sales people, managers, and team members become more engaged, everyone wins. Watch the video below to see how an easy-to-learn DMS made the decision even easier for these real-life dealerships.


 

Choose Your Own (DMS) Adventure

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Choosing a new Dealer Management System (DMS) is a BIG decision. It impacts everything within your dealership. Your staff will need to learn how to use it, you’ll need to devote serious time to install it, every technology system must integrate with it, and you’ve got to find the right vendor you can trust. The relationship you build—and it’s a serious relationship—with your DMS vendor will set the standard from the day you sign the contract, to well beyond the day you flip the switch to the new technology. You understand all of this. The decision to make the change is one that generally takes a lot of consideration.

But, ultimately, one decision…one path…will lead you to a great change. So, we asked several real-life dealers what helped them make the switch.

It’s about learning.
For some dealerships, having a DMS that was easy, and fast, for their staff to learn was key. “The web-base is so easy…Trying to train somebody on a new DMS, back in the day, was such a lengthy process,” explains Dean Collins from Gerald Auto Group. The ability to bring new team members up-to-speed without the frustrations of an old, out-of-date system that requires memorization and lengthy manuals was worth the switch. See more.

It’s about connecting the dots.
Dealers are often surprised to discover that they have to pay integration fees simply to access their own data or to connect their technology platforms within their dealership. And franchised dealers, with multiple locations, pay even more to connect each store. Dealertrack DMS uses an Open Track system that allows dealers to access their data. As Ken Barczysyn of Dwayne Lane Auto Family said,“It doesn’t restrict us…that’s great!” See more.

It’s about making the switch.
Going through a DMS technology switch can be overwhelming. It’s a big change, and dealers must prepare for the work. But, with a supportive installation team, dealers are often surprised to find that making the switch isn’t as scary as they once thought. “It wasn’t overwhelming or unreasonable,” explains Kelly Webb Roberts from Webb Auto Group. See more.

It’s about partnership.
Your DMS vendor should be a partner, not a provider. Finding a vendor who is invested in your long-term success is rare, but it shows when you can count on your partner to show up, be available, and offer ongoing support. For David Alderson at Alderson Auto Group it means, “…both the pre-install, the initial install, and then the follow-up that we get well into five months after we’ve installed. And we still have people coming by to check on us.” See more.

The decision to make a technology change is influenced by many factors. Ultimately, finding the right DMS partner who checks all the right boxes is what matters most to your dealership. So, the ultimate question remains: what matters most to you?

Our Partners Are Doing Amazing Things In The Auto Industry

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When it comes to choosing the right vendor, automotive dealerships have a big decision to make. Matching a technology to meet your needs is only one part of the process. Dealers have to consider the bigger picture, including onboarding new hires long after the transition to a new platform takes place, ongoing training and learning options, and client support and guidance. Really, it comes down to selecting a partner, not just a provider.

See how our partners are mastering the automotive industry, every day. And hear how making the move to a DMS partner vested in their continued success makes a big difference.

Beyer Auto Group | Bringing Data Together

“With Dealertrack, I’ve got all the information I need accessible on a mobile device, on an iPad; anywhere that I go, I can see what’s happening with all our stores. “

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Sisbarro Dealership | Unparalleled Support

“If you’re not with Dealertrack, it’s only because you haven’t tried it. The system and the people are phenomenal, and they actually do what they say they are going to do. You can’t get that anywhere else.”

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Todd Wenzel Automotive Group | Improved Process & Efficiencies

“Dealertrack’s DMS has put us in a position to handle things both in the present and prepare for the future, whether it’s improving our processes now or acquiring more dealerships in the future.”

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Smythe Volvo: Free to Focus on What Matters

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The team at family-owned, family-operated Smythe Volvo takes their culture seriously. Employees, sales people and car buyers are treated with respect, fairness, and trust. It makes sense to start there and let people come in the door with their guard down, ready to do business. They’ve practiced this level of customer service since 1966, greeting return customers by their first name, and providing a relaxed atmosphere to everyone.

Beyond the Buyer
Smythe extends the same level of trust and decency beyond the buyer to their vendors. In the automotive business, this isn’t naïveté. It’s not even simply generous. It’s just how Smythe Volvo practices business. Which is why they were generally surprised to find the attitude of their original DMS provider was anything but reciprocal. When taking calls about service, managing upgrades, or navigating ongoing training, Smythe Volvo’s employees began to feel like a burden so the team at Smythe began to shop around.

“We treat both our guests that come in every day to purchase and buy from us, as well as the people who work for us, as family. And that’s what’s most important and the most wonderful thing about our business.” – Kevin Flanagan, President and CEO

Time is Valuable
When you focus on the wrong things, you waste precious time that could be spent helping the customer. So, for the team at Smythe Volvo, it was finally time to choose a new DMS provider. Although making the move was “scary,” according to Smythe Volvo Vice President Sean Flanagan, it was worth it to find a true technology partner. Once the family at Smythe Volvo had found a partner whose values and goals aligned with their own, they could get back to focusing on what they do best: offering exceptional customer service.

From New-hire to Expert in No Time
One of the biggest benefits for the family at Smythe Volvo was the easy adoption of the DMS technology by the entire staff, most notably with new-hires. When Smythe Volvo’s Office Manager on-boarded a new team member– previously unfamiliar with Dealertrack DMS–she was posting deals on her second day.

It actually costs very little to be a better partner to your customers. When we encounter businesses like Smythe Volvo it inspires us as well. Treating each other like family, offering a kind word, taking a moment to remember a client’s name, making sure your new DMS technology is explained thoroughly, or building a community for continued learning opportunities are some of the ways we aim to remain trusted partners with the team at Smythe Volvo. You can read more about their experience making the switch to a new DMS here.