UCS Computer System

[gene calhoun]

does any one out there have the misfortune to have ucs, and if so how do you like it?compared to R&R or ADP it is like using the old asort-a-post system!

[fburrows]

Gene:
We work with all three (R+R, ADP and UCS) system providers. They all have good features and they all have problems. One of our best customers is the largest parts department in the country and they are on UCS. We have another customer that was on UCS, switched to Reynolds for 5 years and just switched back to UCS. USC is the toughest to do business with but they have their fans. We have a Reynolds customer who is talking to ADP and another UCS customer who will probably go to Reynolds. After 20 years as a UCS customer and 2 years on the outside as a consultant I think the biggest problem is that all three of the computer companies do not have experience in our world. A lot of dealer people look to the computer companies to tell them the right way to do something, but it should be the other way around. If someone says they love their DSP, then they really dont understand what is happening in their dealership.

Since very few of the Program Managers have ever run any departments in a dealership, you have to be very vocal to get them to change they way they do things. I would urge everybody to find out who is in charge of their departments software at their DSP (like parts at ADP or service at UCS) and let them know what you do not like and what you expect of the software. Remember that these people have never run parts or service departments and you have to tell them what the real world is like and what it really needs. That is the only way they will get better. Changing from one to another does not necessarily make things better.



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Frank Burrows
Automotive Business Solutions
frank@autobusiness.org

[dantana]

I have a good deal of experience with UCS. They are not perfect by any means, but have much to offer in the way of software. One of the biggest problems in my experience is that dealership personnel do not know how to use most of the features. And many who are aware of the system's resources can't move themselves to change. Let me know if I can answer any specific UCS questions.

[partsfool]

I am not a lover of UCS, but hear its the best. Its great from a manager position. You can customize reports to suite your needs and have them run auto any day of the week day or night. But from a countermans view its not user friendly compared to the older dcs system, where all the info was there but using the function keys. With UCS you must go to different screens to obtain certain info.

[Chris]

"UCS" A missnomer for an excillent boat anchor. Whoever heard of creating sales history when a part is special ordered?

[Fixedopsmgr]

UCS beats ADP without a doubt. I used to have UCS at a previous dealer and did find that some of the programs were tough to learn, but once you did they were great. The trouble with ADP is that a bunch of the programs for both parts and service are not useable, (campaigns, parts kits, etc.) UCS also has much better support personnel than ADP. All you ever hear from ADP is that it cant be done. It's a shame they can't look at each others programs and just write them so they can work for all franchises.

[sallen1]

Dealership computers are a comedy to me. We bought an ADP system 10 years ago, it still works and has been completely amortized. Therefore, my vendor says I need new system.

Your data system only tracks numbers. It cannot make money for you, no matter what the so called 'experts' say. The software deployed is only as smart as the people who wrote it. Do you think UCS, ADP, R&R improve things on their own? Remember, "better" is the enemy of "good enough".

I was vocal with ADP on what they could do to make things better and/or easier. I got sick and tired of hearing myself. I went to 'user groups' and learned how to program the system myself. Can you write code in PICK BASIC? Ha!

My machine will probably die soon and I'll have to get a new one. R&R or UCS? Probably not, the cost of switching is just way to high. Besides, ADP still uses PICK and all my old s/w will work.

However, the EDS parts system we bought last year is sufficient and very, very cost effective. I will look at their DMS.

scott

ps. I find the UCS salespeople a bit pushy and have not seen an R&R person for several months. Are they still selling computers?

[john]

Why would any body go back to UNIX for a system. ADP,R&R,UCS are all running in an 8bit environmant, using an operating system developed in the 40s with programs copywrited in the 70s and 80s. They are very expensive, hard to learn and many of the programs are unusable - they are not designed for the use by the average person and are not productivity tools for those who actually do the work.

PC based windows systems are so much more affordable, just as powerful, faster, cheaper hardware, mor compatible with the internet (unix could be but that would mean $$$$ change - so it won't happen). I fought ADP and UCS and got tired of being treated like I was an idiot.

Check with your manufacturer for their full blown, front to back, fully integrated DSP list. In 10 years PC Windows will be the standard - might as well accept the fact and start enjoying smaller software companies that will listen and respond to what you want. Click charges are a joke (ADP) 10 year contracts are a fellony (UCS), and buying a windows shell to put on old unix software makes the dealer look like a fool (R&R).
With a little looking you can dump $4000 to $8000 in computer expense you can't afford and have better performance.

[Tom L]

As a sales rep for one of the big 3 DMS providers, it is my duty to remind everyone your vendor doesn't matter. We all make claims that our system is better than the competition. We could find dealers that are either highly satisfied and highly dissatified with every DMS. What really makes the difference is the process. The software of all the vendors are designed around dealership processes. Those dealers that are more satisfied with their systems have developed processes that are consistant with how the software works. Unfortunartly, a standard of dealership process does not exsist. When it does, you can bet the the DMS programmers will be right there.

[fburrows]

Tom:

You said: Those dealers that are more satisfied with their systems have developed processes that are consistant with how the software works. I would take exception to that statement. When you are a DMS then the dealership is your customer. I dont think the dealership should have to change their processes to match the DMS but rather the DMS should provide the means so that the dealership can run their business in the manner that they see fit. When the computer vendors start dictating business practices then we are going in the wrong direction.

You would also have more creditability if you would register instead of posting anonymously.


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Frank Burrows
Automotive Business Solutions
frank@autobusiness.org