The Challenge
Many dealers carry multiple lines; it is not unusual for one dealer to carry five or six different brands. Even single-line dealers may do business with 20 to 30 suppliers of aftermarket parts and accessories.
Dealers communicate with suppliers in many ways, most of which are inefficient and labor-intensive. Many smaller suppliers take orders only by fax or phone, requiring a dealer to first enter an order in its dealer management system (DMS) and then manually transmit the order to the supplier. Larger suppliers typically have dealer-facing Web sites or dealer communication systems that allow a dealer to upload orders created in a DMS, but the process is time-consuming, requires the dealer to use two systems, and involves several manual steps:
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Enter the order in the DMS.
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Export the order to a file.
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Exit the DMS, go to the supplier’s Web site, and log on.
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Navigate through the supplier’s Web site and upload the order.
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Wait for the order to be processed and a confirmation displayed.
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Return to the DMS and key in any data provided by the supplier Web site, such as estimated ship date or back-order status.
The Opportunity
Because of the high level of manual effort and potential for error involved in transactions between dealers and suppliers today, the application of modern technology presents a significant opportunity for improved efficiency and cost savings. Potential benefits extend beyond the communication of orders because similar inefficiencies are present in processes for product registration, warranty claims, repair orders, and other common transactions.
The PSP Benefit
Dealers that use a PSP certified DMS spend more time driving revenue and less time in the backroom ordering, checking different systems, tracking and adjusting orders and recording data in one or more systems. Also, there is less time spent training staff to learn how to interact with different supplier systems.
Through real time electronic transactions, dealers can realize significant dollars savings in benefits related to:
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Increased dealership management system (DMS) functionality
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Increased sales revenue
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Streamlined business processes
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Improved customer service
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Increased speed and accuracy
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Reduced IT costs and simplified training
Your Savings with PSP
The PSP advantage is more than just saving time in the backroom. From within your DMS, you can provide customers with exact information on availability and pricing that can be important to closing a sale or avoiding a return. Employees have more time to spend in the front of the store merchandising and demonstrating parts and accessory products to customers.
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One click; no more leaving the DMS to log into supplier sites
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Save time; no more uploading or faxing files
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Better use of resources; no more re-training staff to accomplish these tasks in different systems
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Gain efficiency; no more double-entry between DMS and dealer communications systems (DCS).
Working from the DMS screen, dealers may instantly: