Information Technology

Need Help Understanding Social Media?

The NADA Information Technology Committee wants to help dealers that need to know what social media sites can do for them. The Committee suggests dealers should review any of the many publications available. One document from Adam Boalt titled, "Social Media Best Practices for Automotive Dealers" explains how social media sites function and what they might accomplish for a dealership. Dealers could also gain insight on the topic by reading "Six Ways to Get Business Value from Social Software" from socialtext.com. Here is Adam Boalt's document. Here is socialtext.com's document.

Computer jargon stumps all of us at one time or another. You may have heard the term Cloud Computing. Cloud computing refers to applications and services offered over the Internet. These services are offered from data centers all over the world, which collectively are referred to as the "cloud." This metaphor represents the intangible, yet universal nature of the Internet. To learn more about Cloud Computing click here.

For a help with other Internet-related terms that describe technology products and services available to dealers follow this link.

NADA Information Technology resources include:

DSP Vendors Survey		Research from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Information Technology (IT) Committee shows that dealership satisfaction with the Dealer System Provider (DSP) vendors declined significantly from the 2007 survey. DSP vendors develop and support dealership computer systems that assist dealers in managing their operations. “More dealers than in any previous survey told us that they would not recommend their current DSP vendor,” said Dick Malaise, NADA VP & CIO.” Here's the dealers' response on an important question:
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STAR and Internet Guidelines for Dealers		All facets of today’s dealership operations need technology. A broad range of products and services are available, but the dealership management system (DMS) is a critical component of a dealer's technology solution. To aid dealers in evaluating the many DMS products and services available, a NADA checklist is available, as well as STAR guidelines for dealership technology. "A Dealer Checklist for IT and DMS Dealer Operations" is a reference document to assist dealership management in evaluating their current IT infrastructure and assess future system needs and requirements. This document is available from NADA University - enroll now! Read more. The Dealership Infrastructure Guidelines (DIG) is a STAR publication for dealers to provide assistance with enhancing and managing their IT infrastructure.
PC Purchase Program		To help dealers and their employees purchase a wide-range of computers and computer accessories NADA has arranged discount programs with Lenovo and HP. Equipment specials are frequently available from these manufacturers. (Member log-in required.) *Lenovo is Offering August Specials!* Take advantage of Lenovo's August specials! NADA members and staff can save an additional 5% off the sale price of ThinkPad T510, ThinkPad L512 and ThinkPad Edge 15. Plus, you can take 10% off the sale price of the ThinkPad W510. Use eCoupon USXBACK2SCHOOL at checkout. This limited time offer expires August 31st. To see these specials and the many other discounted products from Lenovo go to NADA's PC Purchase Program page (member login required). Visit the site often since new special offers are added throughout the month. Save 42% on HP Laptop NADA members and staff can save $554 instantly on the HP ProBook 4520s Notebook PC (Energy Star®). This offer is available while supplies last! This special offer also includes the HP Prof Slip Case. Need a desktop?? Save on the HP Compaq 500B Microtower for only $519. And the Compaq S2021 20-inch widescreen LCD monitor is only $130.00. To learn more about these offers and other discounted HP products go to NADA's PC Purchase Program site (member log in required). Visit this site often as new discounts are offered throughout the month.
DSP Vendors		Dealer Systems Providers (DSP) have computer systems to assist dealers in managing their daily operations. Here are links to the Web sites of some dealer systems providers.

CRM Vendors		Customer Relationsip Management (CRM) vendors provide computer applications to assist dealers with managing information describing their customers' needs, level of satisfaction, and vehicle preferences. Here are links to several CRM guides that highlight the functionality available in many vendors' products. (customer relationship management vendors)
DDM Vendors		Dealership Document Management (DDM) systems help dealers manage sales and service documents by storing them in computer systems rather than file cabinets. Here is a link to several DDM vendors highlighting the functionality of their products and services. (dealership document management vendors)
F&I Vendors		Dealers frequently use Finance & Insurance (F&I) vendors' computer applications to assist the F&I Department with much of their work. Here are links to several finance and insurance vendors.
VIM Vendors		Many dealers have increased showroom traffic and improved their inventory turns with vehicle inventory management programs. Here’s a Summary of some vendors’ product offerings.
IT Publications		NADA's IT publications provide dealers with inexpensive staff training and reference data to assist them in making effective use of their PC equipment and software. Here are links to informative NADA IT Publications to assist dealers in selecting IT products and services for the dealership.
Links to IT sites		Here are Links to IT sites that can provide information to answer the questions of dealership staff supporting IT systems. Some sites are more technical than others. These are not NADA Web sites, and NADA is not responsible for their content.
IT Tips		IT Tips for dealers on topics such as hardware, email, voice and data communications, maintenance and support, and dealer system providers.

YOUR COMMENTS:

Through the Information Technology Committee, NADA addresses dealers' technology issues:

More dealer input to IT system development decisions.
Open system standards to foster competition and cut costs.
Open data access that will permit the transfer of data from one dealer system to another.
Direct dealership purchase of computer hardware.

We welcome your comments on these information technology activities and others that are important to you. Send your comments and questions to IT@nada.org, or call (703) 821-7270.