Autobase vs Higher Gear CRM

[dylanw04]

Hi all, I'm the newly hired IT guy for a dealer in Oregon. Right now we are using ADP for everything except CRM, and our 2 choices are Autobase and Higher Gear. Anyone have a preference? If anyone is using their CRM with ADP, have you had downtime due to ADP upgrades? Thanks in advance and this site is a much needed wealth of dealer information for a n00b like me.

[Matt Parsons]

You mention that Autobase and Higher Gear are the two choices with ADP, have you looked at ADP's CRM that integrates to the ADP DMS platforms?

[dylanw04]

I'm told that was a giant fiasco here that ended up with nothing actually working. The GM and the previous IT guy are all really against it, and they decided on these 2 companies right before I was hired.

[Matt Parsons]

Well, not sure of the details but if we (ADP) can be of assistance in re-evaluating where we are with our CRM offering, please just let me know and we would be happy to review.

[dylanw04]

aaah i see now, dealer's edge is run by ADP. Looks like i'll have to research elsewhere

[David Cates]

Not sure how you came to that conclusion based on Matt offering to help if needed.

ADP is represented by Matt and several others, but in my opinion he stays within the "help" and "insightful" mode, as opposed to the "selling" mode.

Nothing wrong with that.

[dylanw04]

sorry, i was just hoping for an answer to my question or any info pertaining to it

[AKTOYPM]

We are on Higher Gear, R&R, and E-pencil.
I have limited involvement with it but I know that Sales has had some speed bumps along the way.
Seems like they(highergear)really tries to implement anything you need into their system.
Just make sure you get any "DMS Compatibility" in writing.

Oh yeah it is known as "granny gear" around here....You know the gear on an old Ford truck that you have to come to a complete stop to use.

[Gerry Laughlin]

We are on ADP and Higher Gear here. I personally am not in sales but I support all the computers around here (about 75).
Higher gear has always been a great company to work with, and I know sales relies on it heavily. We had looked at Autobase, but Higher gear said they would (and has) made the tweaks neccessary to make their product work for us. I am starting to get complaints about speed too but I think it is more of a relative thing, todays lightning fast computer is a dinosaur tommorrow. Higher gear has said that the new servers are quite a bit faster though.
Just my opinion
Gerry

[Matt Parsons]

Hey, certainly did not try and create an issue by stepping in and posting. Just a little background. Several years ago I approached Mike Bowers and asked if we could facilitate an EDS forum here at Dealersedge. My thought was better to get questions out in the open (good, bad or indifferent) than to have them smoldering under the surface. Mike was supportive and we started the EDS track.

My division of EDS was acquired 18-months ago by ADP and we worked to make this an ADP/EDS-ARG forum. With that said, from time to time people do post what I would call 'pure' ADP questions and as the moderator, I try and answer or get the right answers from within ADP.

Please also note that I do believe there are people who post into these forums from all the DSP's, yet you can't tell this from their profiles. I have always clearly called out in my profile who I am and where I work so as to not create any mystery.

I hope my postings are helpful, and am always happy to wade in and assist with any dealer that has a question or issue.

Matt