Once they start using their instruments properly, many UK dealerships will never realize their full potential. Additionally, some dealerships are trying so hard to realize their full potential that their old, outdated DMS is unable to give the necessary capabilities. Because of this, a lot of dealerships will have to alter their DMS system. However, other people find change to be a nuisance and a source of anxiety. Is your dealership accomplishing what it should? If the answer is no, then a review of your DMS is necessary.

Dealerships often inquire about how they may improve their competitiveness, and I’m happy to respond. That’s an easy answer: You know your dealership better than I do. What I can say is that even the greatest DMS in the world will fail if it doesn’t have a devoted, trained, and motivated workforce. A dealership’s most essential assets are its employees and its systems of operation. Let’s be clear: DMS is just a tool for achieving predetermined goals. If your DMS has all the essential tools, you’ll have an easier time.

Showroom systems, customer relationship management (CRM), analytical reporting, Internet marketing, and time management systems are now seen by many in the sector as critical instruments for business success. The DMS should be able to provide all of these features. This implies that the user will have to do even more effort by re-entering the same information over and over again.

There are several factors to take into account when selecting a DMS that is right for your company, much like selecting a business partner. In the previous issue, the following questions were classified as pertinent, and they are still applicable now.

• How long will it take for us to get a return on our investment?
• Where will it save money and increase productivity?
• Are we going to have to buy a new one as our firm grows?
• Are there several companies, multiple locations, and multiple franchises that it can handle?
• Will it be able to effectively connect with consumers on the internet, in the contact center, and on the dealership floor?
• Is the CRM component of the system up to snuff?
• Is it going to be simple for the personnel to get used to the new system? What kind of education is needed?
• How excellent is the customer service provided by the vendor, based on your conversations with other system users?

As soon as you’ve selected and installed your DMS, the real work starts. There are far too many dealers that overlook the importance of ongoing process evaluations and training for their staff. At least two days of training each year is recommended for the typical dealer. An excellent DMS supplier should always be willing to offer their own experiences in order to help others improve their own work habits. Moreover, I believe that as business partners, the dealer and the DMS supplier should document process controls as well. Training that is both simple and effective.

My thoughts on the current craze for operating a hosted DMS system are in line with those of other industry watchers. Third-party data delivery services are essential for a DMS, and employing the internet as a transport method for multi-site connection is a cost-effective option. However, hosting a DMS in a data center via the internet is fraught with peril. Remote web server-based applications like a DMS can’t be properly operated in the UK due to the country’s insufficient communications infrastructure. Exactly how many times have you encountered issues with sluggish Internet access? However, we do not aggressively market the service. You should keep your DMS server in your company.

Because of their ability to examine the DMS market, most dealers are to be commended. In my opinion, one of the systems that should be examined is the Gemini Systems Dealer Management System.