GM IDMS?

[Matt Parsons]

Does

[This message has been edited by jimmuntz (edited 03-29-2006).]

[fburrows]

Matt:

According to the press releases it stands for Integrated Dealer Management System but
that does not mean much to me.

Interestingly enough it is the same term used in the Reynolds press release about the Saturn deal.
See: http://makeashorterlink.com/?T2871286C

Wonder if they picked two vendors since Quorum is saying they are one of two?

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Frank Burrows
fburrows@absdata.com

[homesleym]

just this:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005 ... 77427.html

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[fburrows]

I just read an article that says that GM picked both Reynolds and Quorum as Saturn providers.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?L1C85286C

After reading this a second time, now I am really confused.

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Frank Burrows
fburrows@absdata.com

[This message has been edited by fburrows (edited 01-03-2006).]

[partstom]

Having been with a GM dealer for 12 years and now Saturn of 13, I have some thoughts on this.
1) Saturn was set up as a test bed for GM,in the beginning Saturn was to be used to refine practices and operations that could be then used in GM stores.
2) With GM starting rim, they want to make sure that the migration from 1 system at a store to a server farm like Saturn has, then changing venders will work.
3) EDS had a good system when Saturn started, then nothing changed, we still are using the same systems we had in 1990.
4)ADP bought EDS ARG and was given 3 years to make improvements to the system. We haven't see them yet.

[Hawk]

My understanding is that there will be a DMS system available that will be open source (non-proprietary). One big benefit of this is that if you have an "outside" software program that you want to use....for CRM, for example,...that you won't need to use a hostile interface. Can't confirm, but what I have heard from people "in the know".

[Westfall]

While iDMS was intended to give Saturn stores better software at a better price (presumably what REY is obliged to provide now), both Quorum and REY appear to be options for non-Saturn GM franchises to use... with the same goal. GM seems determined to influence the quality/price of DMS available to their dealerships. Being 'integrated' to GM systems seems to be the cornerstone of their approach. Hawk, are you saying that these vendors will need to make integration to their systems 'open' to any/all other vendor systems?

[Hawk]

Westfall,
I was told (over a month ago) by someone somewhat closer to the situation than most dealers that (paraphrase) "GM was coming out with their own system that would be less expensive and open source, which will allow the use of third-party programs without a hostile interface". There was no mention of providers at that time and it was to happen in the next 12-18 months. I have not had time to verify this info since I saw this post.

Today, there was the press release in Dealerworld. Coincidently, a R & R sales rep stopped by my office today. He had visited me before we re-upped with ADP a couple of years ago. I asked him about the "open source" and he was skeptical about theirs being non-proprietary, but they have a program that gives access to third-party programs.

Anyway....by what I have heard, I am HOPING that there will be an "open" system, but I don't know anything for sure. I hope others might reply here if they know more than I do.

[fburrows]

Here is a link to the official GM press anouncement:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?D11052C6C

Still not clear


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Frank Burrows
fburrows@absdata.com

[jholtzman]

There has been some mention here about an "Open Source" DMS, and the ability to easily interface software with your DMS (a CRM for instance).

I'm not aware of any open source projects that are in the works now. If there are, please enlighten me.

There is however a working group (STAR - Standards for Technology In Retail Automotive -- http://www.starstandard.org ) that is standardizing the way systems communicate. They are creating a common language for your DMS, to speak to your CRM, to speak with your desking software, etc. This would still enable providers to have proprietary systems on the inside, however, open a way for them them to communicate with other systems. Several DMS providers have are STAR members, but for most it still is unknown how they will voluntary use the standards to benefit the dealer community.

If the Star Standard, or other common standard succeeds, it could allow dealers to choose between system providers. If you have a DMS that is Star Standard compliant, and you want to change to a new CRM or desking software (that is also compliant), you should be able to make the switch relatively easily. It could make the systems market significantly more competitive, and specialized -- which could benefit dealers by providing improved alternative choices.

I do know that currently both ADP and Reynolds & Reynolds will provide an interface to other systems, however, they charge a fee to cover the costs of development and testing. This fee is non-trivial for most dealers.

[This message has been edited by jholtzman (edited 03-02-2006).]