Why no R&R User forum?????

[JDeere]

Why did you not create a user forum for Reynolds and Reynolds users?

[Richard]

Because Rey Rey doesn't want to have one. I'm sure the Dealersedge.com would welcome any of the DMS providers to sponsor a forum.

[Matt Parsons]

I believe that Mike Bowers has approched other DSP's to offer a track on the forum. Mike can you respond?

[mbowers]

Sorry for the delayed response. I don't get "tickled" when someone posts to this forum.

Matt's right. We have offered Reynolds and ADP space to host users forums similar to the ADP/EDS forum. In fact, we have been making to offer regularly since 1999.

The obstacle is that no one at those firms wants to be responsible for fielding the inquiries. The fear seems to be that the forum will become an alternative to the help desk and would take too much time.

As you can see from the activity on this forum, that is not the case. But I haven't been able to get the ADP and Reynolds folks to buy in. Actually, they don't have to buy in. We make the space available for free.

The offer is also available to the other DMS vendors.

A significant number of posts on the other forums concern ADP and Reynolds. We would like to redirect those threads to a users forum. These are ADP and Reynolds customers who have questions about how to use the service and/or other dealership managers' experience. In many cases, managers seem to be asking for reasons not to switch from one of the major vendors.

It makes sense to me that those firms would want to take every opportunity to strengthen their customer relationships, but I guess that's just my opinion.

Mike Bowers

[Matt Parsons]

Just a note, being that my division of EDS was acquired by ADP and I am now an ADP associate, I have tried to take on the task of looking for any questions that may be directed to ADP and then engaging the right resources within ADP to properly respond.

I would welcome any ADP users into this area as it does not just have to be the the one's using the 'EDS' system. Whereas I can typically respond to almost an inquiry regarding the Saturn or DMS@NET systems due to my years of experience with those offerings, it may take me a bit longer to find an answer or response within ADP, so please be a bit patient.

Please note that I try and look at the forum at least 1 time per day and respond accordingly.

Thanks Mike for the continued opportunity to moderate the forum channels and to be part of the team that shares information...

[This message has been edited by Matt Parsons (edited 10-04-2005).]

[mbowers]

Bob Britting of AutoSoft has asked to host an AutoSoft users forum. We'll be setting that one up shortly.

Mike Bowers

[ctvolvo]

I am new to R&R, and the DealersEdge Forums have been very valuable to my knowledge base.

To be honest, I actually have received better answers to my R&R questions in the Parts Managers forum than I have from R&R themselves.

Remember the old saying, "Those who can, do, and those who can't, teach."

Why can't we set up an R&R forum for those who have questions or helpful hints? Why does R&R have to be involved themselves? This way here, if someone had an R&R question they could go straight to that forum without having to wade through the other ones.

We could do this for all DMS providers.

Just my opinion!!

[jazdale]

I don't see much value in isolating the issues by DMS. Most of threads are very generic in nature, and the number of items per day is low enough to not require so much separation. Look how short the ADP/EDS forum is, and look how big the parts forum is.

Besides, how many of you only go to one forum section and ignore the others (my guess is zero).

If the wish was granted, would we need a forum for each vendor and another 4 forums for each dept within that vendor? I like the current simplicity.

Most threads have the name of the DMS in the title, so its easily searchable.

Consider this - Typically, when a question is asked, someone later in the thread asks how to do it on different DMS.

[rayc106]

CT VOLVO, I am in the same boat, in the same ocean (Conn). I have friends here and repleies from R&R have been great. There is a message about "usuers groups" when you call R&R and are on hold, but it goes by fast or is cut off. When you are new to a system you are always opening "doors, and the junk falls out on you desk", but in someways that is good, Sometimes we find a new or better way. Ray

[ctvolvo]

jazdale,

You are right.

The point I was trying to make is, why worry about DMS providers being involved when you can most likely get better answers from your peers on this forum?