When Converting Silos to Seamless Workflow, Software’s Not Just Software
By Dennis McGinn
Last month’s column asked dealership execs to consider that software is not just software when
evaluating purchase options.
For example, when evaluating reconditioning software, how do the choices you’re considering help you
break down departmental and information silos that cripple seamless communications and frustrate
work efficiency?
The most fantastic software on the planet won’t help much if the inputs needed to fuel its engine are
disrupted, confused, and delayed. Often these problems are a case of management not knowing what it
doesn’t know.
Top-down decisions from GMs, CFOs and even CEOs sometimes lead to missed opportunities when
looking at reconditioning software. These individuals can value “latest and greatest” and cost savings
promises over more profound advantages that a deeper evaluation might surface, leading to a different
decision.
Software is not just software because the right software is critical for converting work and breaking
down information silos across your reconditioning processes. And ease of use by actual users is KING.
Its first step in dismantling broken communications processes is creating transparency for all the
information related to work. The right software is a tool to manage their group and individual
accountability and share performance metrics across the platform from lot tech to dealer principal.
Mobile technology keeps the players well connected and equips communications, approvals, changes,
assignments, and progress metrics to be monitored and managed in real-time.
Recon software influences every other department, from used car pricing to contracts in transit. All
promises need to be verified:
Obtain evidence-proven functional reasons for the need itself and the solution considered.
Listen to what the talk on the street is about the product category and vendors.
Does the software help you manage for better outcomes, accountability, communications, and user consistency?
Is time to line reconditioning workflow improvement the vendor’s fundamental value proposition – or a Swiss Army Knife of features of questionable use in a busy recon and used car operation?
Accountability keeps everyone and every step honest and provides the glue for inspecting (measuring)
what you expect.
Beyond cost, is the software able to unify departments by taking down protective communications and
information silos that disrupt your dealership's work productivity? How does the software bring
efficiency, accuracy and information accountability transparency to those who need to know, from lot
technician to the CEO?
When evaluating reconditioning software, get all facts. The most important one is can the vendor
provide data to verify claims, no matter how seductive they’ve whispered into your ear.
About Rapid Recon
Reconditioning workflow automation from Rapid Reconis the industry standard in time-to-line inventory turn and speed-to-sale vehicle revenue enhancement for automotive retailers. Benchmarking data based on 13 million vehicles processed uniquely positions Rapid Recon to advise dealers on how to improve their store’s profitability. Used by more than 2,000 dealerships, Rapid Recon ensures the accountability of processes, property, and people. Hence, dealers know answers quickly, find assets anywhere, and sell vehicles promptly to grow dealership profitability. www.rapidrecon.com CALL US: +650-999-0497
