car dealer DMS
All the hype on the market today is focusing on the CRM solutions, which is acronym for Customer Relationship Management software, but what about DMS? Or Dealer Management System, on the surface both of these solutions sound very much alike, but there are some key differences that separate them from each other. For one CRM solutions will not include functions such as dealer service department integration, or any accounting department integration. Where as the DMS solution will offer those capabilities. In essence a DMS system is a good CRM solution at the core, with added functionalities to complete the system as a DMS. Which will have some very specific automotive related functions? To have a good DMS system provider, one must start from a solid ground of a good CRM system, because if the core of the program is rotten, it really doesn't matter how good the outer layers will be, it will not be successful as a system as whole. I have seen many DMS solution providers today on the market, where their CRM core is poorly developed. And many of them are based on a generic CRM database schema, not specific to automotive industry at all. So how can you tell if the DMS system is sound? Well look at their system logic flow, does it match your business? Or is it too generic in which it will cause you problems in the long run. Look at the user interface, is the system intuitive to users? Or is it text based commands where you have to memorize commands similar to DOS system back in the days. How long do you think your staff will be trained to use the system correctly? Will it take few months? Or few days? All these are important factors when it comes to a DMS system, because the snowball effect can be catastrophic.
You should look at how long the system will process a simple data input, from creating a customer to print out a bill of sale. If the user has to click into few different tabs and search deep before they can bring up the interface window, you should be careful about using the system. A successful DMS system will save you time, not to waste your time, whenever system delay happens, you should always be aware this will happened every single day to every single employee using the system. So the negative effect can be amplified many many times over. As the dealer principle or general manager you should beware of the big picture when it comes to your system deployment. Another tip when comes to choosing the right DMS system is to stay away from per user billing structure. Many dealerships today are not well equipped with enough I.T support staff to keep an eye on such thing. Imagine every time you fire or hire someone you will have to call into a support line to open or close accounts. What if you forgot about the account and it sits dormant for many month even years before you discovery you have been paying for something you are not using. Try to find a solution that will offer you unlimited user accounts, and also give you the ability to manage your own staff and account creation.
Thank you for reading this article, it is brought to you by Dealer Elite CRM solutions, we offer Canadian dealers affordable CRM and DMS solutions, please visit us online at http://www.dealerelites.ca
