by Jay Daniels » Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:17 am
Jazdale: In my career I have been involved in "more than a couple" of national Panels/councils/task forces (You name the title). I count as a dear friend another parts manager in the Dallas area with similar credentials. We, among others, helped to direct the path taken by a major (worldwide) corporation. We both were in frequent contact with our colleagues seeking input and always encourging them to get input from their people 'in the trenches'. We were never "self serving" but instead were in constant pursuit of a better business inviornment for all parties concerned. For us the term "WIN / WIN" was not just a "buzz word". Perhaps I am ignorant of the way councils work in the 'real world'. It would be unfortunate if those selected to a panel/council only pressed his/her agenda. I personally agree with you that an open forum, such as this, is a better medium. My only concern was/is that no one in a position responsible for DMS prodcut improvement was/is in attendance. In a "face to face" meeting, at least business cards are usually exchanged with titles and claims of responsibility/authority for specific products/services are expressed. There is no way to check credentials in an anonymous forum other than the manner in which one presents himself.
GMcGrew: I am so pleased to see you had the B***s re-enter the thread. It is difficult for me to stand by and let the rest of the world expect "EXCELLENCE" from me and not expect excellence from those that provide services to me. My wife is a business analyst for a software developement company (not automotive). She is currently engaged in a project that involves a Country in Africa and a well known World wide company based in Europe. She agrees with me that 'work arounds' are simply a tempory situation with which you deal until a 'fix' is installed. Depending on the severity and number of "BUGS" in the procuct, that could range from 1 month - 6 months. If you are still using 'work arounds' a year later, the software company has won the battle. You are no longer complaining that the product doesn't work so that complaint is dismissed. You are correct, the parts department is a "forgotten department" until it comes time to add it's profit at the end of the month. You are correct in saying that all DMS providers have their problems. I didn't enter in to this trying to say that R&R is better than ADP. It is just that from my experience (with both), from a parts counterman's perspective, R&R is head and shoulders above ADP. The only way that is true is because of ADP's unwillingness to commit resources to improve the parts programs. It boils down the the fact that no pressure is being applied to change
any parts programs. Until that happens, the same 1943 (or whatever the copywright date is) system will continue with an occasional (perceived) enhancement just to say "we haven't forgotten the parts dept.".....
Talking with my wife tonight, I asked her why I should even get involved. It is highly unlikely I will see any changes in the time I have left. Her response was that because I CARE about "right and wrong". I sometimes wonder why I got out of management but then again, all my offers were away from my kids and grandkids. Grandkids won.
Unfortunately at this time in history, so many parts managers (and other managers) are simply worried about their jobs and don't have time for something like this. Others are so comfortable in their job they are not willing to "rock the boat". In order to receive changes it will be necessary to get many managers and perhaps counter people involved.
All of you parts managers out there need to get in on this thread. Get with your countermen and ask what would make their life better. I can't beleive that 100% wouldn't say that being able to apply a quote to the right job wouldn't be better. Ask a thousand counter people and you will be amazed at the number of answers you will get......
O.K. all you parts managers get out there and ask.... Then post on a new thread.