Amidst the hustle and bustle of repairing or selling cars, experts have advised that motor trade businesses can stand to benefit from improving their IT systems.
It might not be the most obvious area to boost profit, but investing in better technology to help manage the business can pay for itself by improving efficiency and contributing to more sales. Speaking to AM-Online, a number of experts have said that better IT systems can help with a range of things, including digital marketing, aftersales management and accounts reporting.
With technology playing an increasingly important part in the day-to-day operations of car dealerships, it is just as important that these things are covered within a motor trade insurance policy. Cars and parts are no longer the only valuable items stored at a dealership; computers and other technological devices also require insurance cover in case they are damaged or stolen so firms should be sure to factor that into their policy.
Jeremy Evans, the managing director of Marketing Delivery, stated that most companies’ dealership management system (DMS) “are lagging behind” other sectors. He advises firms to outsource digital marketing to help drive more customers to the business, or at least look to hire more tech-savvy staff.
Meanwhile, Neil Packham, managing director of CDK UK, explained the benefits of improving the company's IT system: “A DMS system that connects all areas of the dealership and builds a single view of the customer helps the workshop team to make best use of their short time with customers, tailoring communications to their needs and profiting from positive experiences they have with other areas of the business.”