Switching DMS from Reynolds to UCS

[KIAPARTSGUY]

I am currently on Reynolds in a small Kia dealership in So Cal
we were recently acquired by a larger chain of dealerships mostly Toyota and Lexus, which all run UCS. I have never heard of UCS and have been told many times that i will learn new cuss words with the new system. Does anybody have any insight into what i am facing with this switch?

[robc]

Sure, I can help you out ... here's a link to a file you can download containing all those cuss words you'll need to learn: http://support.discusware.com/center/re ... words.html

Short of that, this is going to be difficult switch for you. I've yet to meet a fan of UCS over another DMS, but it does have some strong points in report writing and database manipulation.

To help keep you profanity down though, I would suggest just going into the switch-over with the right point of reference. Realize right now whatever screen you used to get to by flipping through two or three menus will now be four or six menu screens. I don't think there are a lot of short cuts, say like typing 3651 at the opening service menu to jump right to close out or history. Nope, as far as I know you are going menu to menu to get there.

So will is suck - yes, but try to decide right now not to get caught up in all the additional work it adds and try to search out some of the new reports and stuff that might help you gain insights into your operations. That is the only way I've seen people survive it

Good luck!!

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** Rob, Editor Dealersedge/WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

[Number 65]

No need to be concerned about learning new cuss words, you'll make them up all by yourself with no trouble at all!!!

I've worked ADP, R&R & UCS. I've been at this dealer for 12 years and we started using UCS 10 years ago. Definitely the most user unfriendly system ever.

And make sure you take all of your courses and tests that you'll be stuck with or you will be locked out of the system!!!

That always sets the tone for a bad Monday morning when you're locked out and have to take tests before you can write any repair orders or get any information from your terminal. Ask me how I know.......

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My friends call me Wikid.

[Number 65]

Are you getting the TEC system with that? Technician Electronic Control is quite an adventure, where you have no dispatcher and the techs pull their own work.

Call my boss and ask him how many times I quit while we were implementing that system. Talk about a rocky road...

Actually I take that back. It wasn't like a rocky road, it was like tearing thru a cornfield.... at night..... in a shopping cart.....

[Number 65]

Seriously, like anything else, it's OK once you get used to it. It has some great programs with very good reports that can be run. Once you get used to it (and get the cornstalks out of your teeth) it's really not all that bad.....

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My friends call me Wikid.

[rockydogs]

The truth hurts doesn't it Rob

Rocky

[robc]

Sorry Rocky, the forum moms said I can't play with you anymore

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** Rob, Editor Dealersedge/WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

[rockydogs]

Here I've edited my comments to fit the "Forum Mom's)requirements:

The fact is that I'm just tired of reading forums where whiners prevail and people like you advocate the whining. At least I have the sack to stand up and tell these managers to shut the hell up. Learn the system, do your job.

Each one of the major DMS suppliers has a major dealership that uses and loves its system. UCS is no exception. In fact, they have made a living on automating the biggest of dealerships.

Technology is a tool that must be learned. I have run across more than my share of whining primadonnas, that rather than take the time to learn the new tool, choose bitch and moan about "user friendly" because the old DMS screen doesnt look like the new one. Shut up and learn the software.

Your computer system is not the reason your department is failing in performance.

Thats all for now,

Rocky

[KIAPARTSGUY]

LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE THE ONE WHINING

[zsmith]

rockydogs - regardless of what you're tired of reading, the fact remains that some DMS systems are better than others and ALL of the big three are well behind the times in terms of technology. There are fans of every car line out there also, but I think we can agree that some makes are better than others even though any make can get us from here to there.
Forums like these can help speed changes to our management systems and hopefully introduce some much needed competition into the marketplace. I agree the DMS system is not the reason for a failing dept., but we could all do our jobs better with better equiptment.