ADP and other DMS

[sallen1]

An update...

After several weeks of using the EDS parts catalog system and also having a B&H demo unit and the ADP system all on the counter, we went with EDS. It works much better than ADP and is much less expensive than B&H. I was also told that B&H didn't want to/couldn't support a network connection to the 8800 but EDS will. There really is no functional difference between EDS and B&H and in my changed opinion, EDS is a better platform for what we want to accomplish.

Too bad it has to run on a microsoft server, but I'll get over it.

scott

[This message has been edited by sallen1 (edited 04-07-2000).]

[Matt Parsons]

I wanted to chime in and support the comments made by Kevin Kavanagh. So many times dealers are frustrated in that they get little value added functionality out of a new system versus their old...and yet when asked, no business process evaluation has been done, no committment to training was established, etc. This purchase is a two-way street - DSP's need to stand behind their presentation and offerings, dealers need to hold their feet to the fire, and both need to work together to ensure that a system solution provides more than tactical day-to-day operational support, these systems need to be used a strategic differentiators in their market space.

One last comment/question I can't avoid posting/asking. Why when a dealership is completely dissatisfied with their systems provider do they re-up for an extended period of time just due to the fact that the current provider drops the bottom out of the price during negotiations? This seems similar to me as a vehicle consumer hating my car, finding it unreliable and mis-aligned with my needs, yet when my lease comes due, the dealer offers me a sweatheart deal to keep driving it, and I accept this offer. If this is the case, I really believe I (as an informed consumer) have little room to continue to complain, as I accepted reduced service, operations & need-fulfillment in exchange for a low price.

[This message has been edited by Matt Parsons (edited 04-12-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Matt Parsons (edited 04-12-2000).]

[scottd]

So Matt are you saying that if we make a deal with a vendor it's OK for him to lie and misrepresent his offer just because it was less than the inflated retail price they start at?

Reupping at any price does not in my opinion excuse the vendor behavior I have been party to! The fact is that it very expensive and painful to change systems and is a project that is to be avoided. Vendors know this and that's why they have the retention that they have. Please don't try to twist this into a customer complaint problem! If car dealers did businee the way the big DMS system companies do the attorneys'general of all 50 states would be living in dealerships!

Scott

[Matt Parsons]

I do not support in any fashion suppliers to dealers making mis-representations in terms of their products or services.

All I am saying is that I am amazed at how many dealers will tell me that they have had terrible service from their provider for years, feel as though they have way over-paid for the offering, and been mis-lead throughout the life of the contract. But when the time comes to make a new purchase decision, if the current vendor drops the price to the floor, the dealership often re-ups for another 5 years. Does the dealership think that things will be different this time around. It is hard to listen to an on-going stream of complaints in terms of poor service and poor product when in "some cases" the dealership knew exactly what they were signing up for. Dealers and their staffs are smarter than this...they have to stop buying on price alone and consider the service levels, the reputation of the provider in the industry, past experiences, and the experiences of others - no different than what you would expect your clients to do when purchasing a vehicle from either you or your competitors.

Dealers need to use tools such as this and NADA's web site to effectively evaluate what is the right offering for them. A several thousand dollar investment with groups such as these can greatly reduce your risk and help in getting you the best price for the solution you desire.

[This message has been edited by mbowers (edited 06-16-2000).]

[This message has been edited by mbowers (edited 06-16-2000).]