one of the most efficient tools for dealership management today - more than 3300 users to have come on board with Pinnacle since the beginning of 2006

Pinnacle

Frequently asked questions

 

 

Q: What are the benefits of utilising software as a service?

Software as a service, or SaaS as it is abbreviated, has evolved as the increasing cost of specialised software has far exceeded the spending capacity of small to medium sized businesses.


In addition the issues of upgrading have been eliminated by placing the responsibility on the service provider to maintain an up-to-date service 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The service provider also undertakes to deliver specialist technical support, and physical and electronic service solidity.

 

This means that Pinewood:
  • Develops, owns and operates the software application
  • Maintains the servers that support the software
  • Bills only on a per-user basis

The advantages to users include the following:

  • Ongoing cost for evolution of the product is spread across all clients – so all customers receive the benefits of future-thinking product development
  • Frees client to focus on core business 
  • Access to the latest releases and upgrades happens automatically with no user intervention or additional charge
  • Uniquely scalable – no limit to the number of users on the system
  • Uniquely thin client so no specialist IT hardware is required
  • Improved reliability, availability and security
  • Reduction of IT costs to a predictable monthly fee

 

 

Q: What are the top 10 reasons to implement Pinnacle DMS now?

 

  1. Providing Pinnacle as software as a service means users are only ever using the latest version and are kept up-to-date with new product development without any individual risk.
  2. Secure hosted service – no loss of data in the event of an on-site incident.
  3. Looks like a Microsoft application – familiar and intuitive browser interface.
  4. The Pinnacle database updates business critical information ‘live’ – allowing users to immediately make informed decisions. 
  5. Uniquely scalable – in the event of company growth, users just connect and go.
  6. Software on demand means a dealership only ever pays for what they are using.
  7. Facilitates banking, standard chip and PIN payment functionality.
  8. Key information driven throughout the database – no double entry of information by different departments.
  9. Facilitates remote access – users do not have to be on-site to see Pinnacle and make crucial decisions.
  10. Management intelligence can be viewed at group level down into individual dealership and department.


 

Q: How do I compare the prices from my current vendor with those of Pinnacle?

Well, you add up licence, any additional software that interfaces with your existing DMS, servers, depreciation and connectivity costs, etc. Then add on costs of e-mail, virus scanning and any paid for administration and people costs to support.  As you can see with Pinnacle it isn’t purely a like-for-like comparison as Pinnacle is able to provide so much more than many retail systems.

 

 

Q: You offer enhanced functionality as an online upgrade. I have had problems with other DMS software releases before, so how can you ensure my system will work?

Pinewood understands the greater responsibility we must take for software integrity and the quality of releases when providing our software as a service.

 

With more regular releases than any other vendor, we have raised the standard of our processes and testing to ensure you benefit from software enhancements. Microsoft Gold Certification as well as the TickIT accreditation for software development and our entire business demonstrate our commitment to this.

 

If the worst happens, we have processes in place to apply changes for you without you having to handle backups and update tapes.

 

 

Q: I'm comfortable with my current supplier. Why should I consider Pinnacle?

You’re probably missing out on recent developments that your competitors are taking advantage of. As Pinewood introduces process enhancements every few months, dealers using Pinnacle are able to act on these to streamline their business and reduce administration costs.

 

Our close relationship with Microsoft will only accelerate the drive towards improving productivity and providing retailers with better information to make decisions. When the decision to change is made, we have some of the best rapid implementation techniques in the industry.

 

 

Q: Do I need to buy special equipment to run Pinnacle?

No, you can run Pinnacle on standard PC’s, with Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6 and above.  Furthermore Pinnacle uses standard Windows printing with no requirement for specialist printers or print servers as all paperwork generated from the system can be sent to standard plain paper laser or inkjet printers.

 

 

Q: I am not a multi-site operation, how would SaaS benefit me?

Having your dealer management system provided as an online or SaaS provision means that even if you are a solus retailer with no intention of becoming a multi-site operation, you will benefit from having continuous access to feature upgrades and streamlined process operations as the technology that drives Pinnacle moves forward. 
A SaaS provision ensures that you have all the advantages of product enhancement that a technology company has to offer without having to pay for the ongoing evolution of the product.

Additionally, you will never be faced with version upgrade costs as the latest release becomes available or have to manage installation downtime.

 

 

Q: My business is open on a Sunday, what kind of support service do you offer?

Pinnacle is supported 7 days a week and on all Bank Holidays with the exception of Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.

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The benefits of Pinnacle DMS

The thinking behind Pinnacle was to be able to provide users with the most up-to-date customer and vehicle intelligence together with live and consolidated business information.