DealersEdge Professional Forums

When AutoMate does an update is anyone getting information on the update? We get an update and then just have to figure out what it does or doesn't do.

Call Automate & see if you can get on the email list. I get an email a few days before the update of what is about to happen.

Hello. We are considering automate as our new DMS. Can you folks give me your opinions or questions to ask?

What are you changing from? Automate is cheap (you get what you pay for); however, it gets the job done. Seems to be getting more & more Fixed Ops update here lately,s so things are getting better as time goes on. We've been on since 2006.

Get on the email list.

Honestly, Automate is terrible for parts and service. Just a few of my gripes. (1) You can't run a "dirty" core report. I know, who needs to know outstanding cores. (2) You can not bill the same part number multiple times on an invoice. (3) Parts and service do not communicate at all during the SOR process. Even the customer number is different. Don't even talk about prepay sor's. (4) Countermen can bill a part out without or on a nonexistent line and the RO will close. Can you say debit parts? (5) Reports are junk, period. I was on the phone Friday with Bob from support for 22 minutes trying to build a top 50 part number report. Would be good to know right? To buy cost minus or God forbid a perpetual! I only knew I was on it for 22 minutes because he must have thought we were on mute. He started talking to a coworker about how needy I am and it's been 22 minutes already. Nope, can't build that report.

It's a joke. I have many, many more complaints. But, if you're only buying on price then go ahead and pull the trigger. However, if you care about losing money don't do it.


**EDIT

I'm out of line. Tony and Doug from tech support went above and beyond for me. They spent quite a bit of time gathering all the variables I would need for the reports. Together they built ALL the reports I would need to effective manage the inventory. All in all it was only a few conversations, but several hours of their time were spent. They were attentive and very professional. Every DMS has its own issues. However, Automates support staff more than make up for whatever deficiencies it may have. They fixed their mistake. I would like to fix mine. I pissed and moaned before giving them the opportunity. And, my inexperience with Automate led to my frustration. All is well now. Feel free to contact me if you have any Automate questions.


Tim

I'm not a huge fan either. We have had it here since 2013 but you can do a dirty core report.
Call them back and have them build you a "Core Transaction Report". You select the dates you want to see what you sold with a core and it builds the report for you.

sipps wrote:..... (2) You can not bill the same part number multiple times on an invoice. ........

If I recall correctly one of the recent updates actually fixed this...

Oh, they released an update that said they did. Just try to do it. RO or Invoice...nope. I despise Automate


**EDIT

Yes, apparently they did. You need to activate it via 7 Systems information file. Company Info, at the bottom of the page: allow duplicate part numbers. We use W to warn us first. Thank you.