Pressure for results from new DMS systems growing, says Pinewood

3 March 2008

 

Dealer management systems providers and the dealer managers who choose them are coming under increasing pressure to show concrete results.

 

DMS specialist Pinewood says that dealers now need to show that any major investments they are making are meeting expectations, and that DMS systems are no exception.

 

Managing Director Neville Briggs said: “Dealer trading conditions remain tough and any large scale project, such as adopting a new DMS, is coming under increasing scrutiny.

 

“Both DMS providers such as ourselves, and those who make the choice of system within the dealership, are having to produce figures that show greater efficiency, lower costs and better customer service.  Additionally, it is now no longer good enough to just upgrade to the next version of your existing system.”

 

Briggs said that, as a result, it was becoming increasingly important to ensure that DMS providers had an in-depth understanding of what dealers wanted to achieve both short and long-term.

 

He explained: “Dealers want a system that is in place and being used comfortably and efficiently by staff in a matter of days and weeks. Therefore, systems increasingly need to be flexible, easily implemented and easy to use.”

 

Briggs added that new methods of acquiring DMS systems were also affecting dealer expectations.

 

“For example, our Pinnacle DMS is purchased on a software-as-a-service basis, with a monthly rental covering the costs of the hosted system, maintenance, daily technical operation, and all support provided to the customer including disaster recovery.

 

He said: “When buying other types of DMS dealers tend to pay a large upfront amount followed by bills every few months. With our software-as-a-service model, a smaller amount is charged every month and we are able to upgrade the system to meet changing market needs without the dealer being faced with a bill for the upgrade or a radically new way of working that often accompanies the latest version upgrade.

 

“Additionally this type of provision means we work much more closely with our customers on a daily basis to ensure that they are getting the results that they want. If their business changes slightly, we are right there to help them ensure that their DMS reflects this.”

 

Briggs added that Pinewood had measures in place to help dealers measure the value that its DMS systems produced.

 

He explained: “We undertake comprehensive reviews on a regular basis with dealers using key measures that we agree with them to ensure that their DMS is delivering.”

 

 

For further details please contact Simon Wells at
Paperchase Public Relations on 01283 711311
or e-mail simon@paperchasepr.co.uk