Autosoft DMS Questions

[CAMWARE1999]

I wanted to get some opinions and thoughts on Autosoft's DMS. We currently use R&R and our owner is looking into Autosoft for several reasons, the biggest is of course cost. Please let me know what you think.

[johnny o]

Camware

Just a thought on your request. Are you only looking at R&R as an expense ? Are they offering you more for the dollar? What areas can they show that for the extra dollars you are spending that you are getting more value? Have you checked with them to justify the extra dollars ?

If you are changing only to reduce expenses ? Please know that there are real costs involved in changing over. ( the machinery, the software as well as the time involved in learning a new system) ? If you reduce the tools and items that are currently making you monies, will you be further ahead ?

Would it not make more sense to re-negotiate current expenses if possible or get the training to use the tools that R & R provide to increase revenue. Often people are only using some 20 percent of the systems tools that are provided. If this is the case where you are then moving to a lower cost system would not be too much of a cost savings.

[This message has been edited by johnny o (edited 02-08-2005).]

[CAMWARE1999]

Jonny O,
The owner of our store actually looked at Autosoft a year ago. The main reason for the switch is to reduce cost. Autosoft comes in roughly at about 1/2 the price of R&R in its current form (ERA2)and that includes equipment. I've obtained a demo of Autosoft and so far it seems like a straight forward DMS although it doesnt integrate with the parts catalog very well from what I've seen. So to answer the question about expanse and value, only time will tell with use of the system. What Im really looking for here is some opinions from dealers that are using Autosoft. the final decision to purchase it is the owners and it looks like a done deal. I am just curious as to how good or bad this product is. Thanks for the reply-all good questions.

[TBDet]

We have been an Autosoft user for 11 years and have been very happy with the system. I'm not much help with comparison to other providers since we have only been on their system for so long we havent looked at other current systems on the market. We are a GM dealer and also use Autosoft for Rapid and F&I along with the being integrated with our EPC from Proquest (Bell & Howell). If I can be of any other help to you E-mail me and Ill try to answer any other questions I can.

[homesleym]

When we looked at alternatives to ADP several years ago, I think our main issue was with DCS integration to the manufactures
on import franchises (Volvo, MB, Nissan) Anyone have an update on this and/or progress
the "other guys" have made?

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[MaryG]

I too looked at Autosoft about a year and a half ago. My biggest problem is that I was at a large multi-franchised auto group and the system didn't offer integration to 1/2 the franchises. The fact that I would have to increase my personnel costs to perform the same tasks that were automatically done in R&R was too cost prohibitive so be carefull and make sure you have all that information.

[dew23456]

Has anybody used the Auto/Mate Dealership Systems. We are looking to go on to the Auto/Mate system and would like some feedback. I understand this is a small company in the eyes of the big boys.