DMS Change ?

[GMFixedOps]

My owner is shopping to change DMS systems to Arkona or ACS. We are currently on reynolds and a GM franchised dealer. I would like input on why not to change, or reasons to change.

[Richard]

On 10-29-2007 10:33 AM I posted:
I oppose changing systems. Period, unless you are so unhappy, or being so overcharged that you can't stand it, don't change for the sake of change. All the time and effort spent training on your current system is going to make a gurgle as you flush it, plus all the time and effort you're going to spend to make the new system work.
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I still believe it 110% today. I like ARKONA, a lot, but the reason to seek a change needs to be addressed. You state you are on R+R, so I can guess the reason will be expense. You will lose a lot of the reports you can currently get from an R+R system, no matter who you go to; let me restate that, you won't lose them, but the won't be as easy to retrieve. No matter whose system you look at, make SURE to do an onsite visit to a dealer currently using that system, and really talk to the people using it.

Way back in 04-11-2003 02:46 PM our friend JohnnyO Posted
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In looking over a lot of posts over the years this changing over to a new system is perhaps the most asked.
Interesting that the same basic reason everyone leaves is not the system but rather that its simply does not seem to do what one requires of it. Yet this is constantly proven incorrect as many who originally leave a system often revert back to the original DMS.

Lets face it most of the key systems in the market place do virtually everything. Ninety nine percent of the time it is a dealerships lack of commitment for training that kills the relationship between the software the and the user and in turn with the DMS provider.
However many dealerships will spend an average 100,000 USA dollars or more to change to a new platform. Amazing, when all that was needed was monies spent on training how to use the tools that are available.

Is it a company policy with virtually any dealerships that says a new employee must go through the training programs provided by the DMS? NO ! Is it policy where you work to contact the DMS and immediately communicate that a new employee is on board and that arrangement are made immediately for training. Will your dealership fly a new employee to the headquarters of your provider and arrange hotel rooms for them to stay a week for upgrading and education. Virtually no dealership is doing this.

Consider that computers are the leading edge of technology and require a sophisticated and substantial knowledge base to be successful. Todays dealerships require a rethinking of priorities. Today the employee (the parts or service or sales manager) that can manipulate information the best will generally be the most successful and most profitable.

Yet what do most dealerships do as a knee jerk reaction? They buy a new system and train only when its installed. Then as employees change over and leave the training and education is lost. Unhappiness sets in and the DMS provider is blamed. In fact what occurs is the same errors and problems in house that caused the dealership to look elsewhere in the first place.

So if your considering leaving , really review your own policies and procedures as far as employee training and DMS correspondence. If you do not have current policies like this now and no intention of doing this than the next DMS system will let you down even faster than the last one didas well you will be out the 100,000.

Its a lot less expensive to have education policies in place.. In fact knowledgeable staff will create revenue.
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Again, It still holds true today. Find out why they want to switch, and try to avoid it.

[This message has been edited by Richard (edited 05-13-2008).]

[texaslp]

If you look through the archives you will find a number of other discussions on this subject.

To change is a major, major step but sometimes it is the right thing to do and the short-term heck you go through is worth the long-term benefits.

It never, never hurts to look at other systems, and being that you're on RR, there are good reasons to potentially change. The worst that can happen is you look at others and decide that RR is not so bad after all. Even if you decide not to change, taking a serious look and getting competitive bids from others is a great way to negotiate a better deal with RR.

Look, look real hard, and look again. I'm sure you would ackowledge that RR is good but not perfect and you will find the same thing with any other system. Look at the pros and cons and try to figure out who has more pros than cons. Good luck!

[Matt Parsons]

Have you thought about or looked at the GM IDMS Program?

[GMFixedOps]

Do you know anyone who is on the GM IDMS program? If so, how is it working for them?

[This message has been edited by GMFixedOps (edited 05-14-2008).]

[CARDOCTOR]

Having worked at 1 dealer for 29 years and using R & R for 20 years don't change! My dealer sold out and new owners switched to a windows based system. What a piece of C**P everything cost $ per item can you say $$$. What was supposed to be cheap ended up costing them all the time. Not to mention getting employees that knew how to use it. If you have a good system R & R is excellent then get some prices and make your best deal with your current provider. Even if it is higher you are money ahead to stay on that system. Saving money switching will cost you $$$ in the short and long term. I am now at a different dealer and back on Reynolds. You are welcome to call me if you want to hear horror stories about switching. Aaron 260-347-1400

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[spacielacie]

We've been with ACS for about 2 years now. It's a windows based system. For the most part, it's user friendly and easy to operate. My biggest complaint is random slow downs.
I was with ADP prior to that and I have to say I like ACS better. I have't worked with R&R so I really can't compare with them. If you have any ACS questions, feel free to email me.
Lacie