A Note from IDS
Welcome to the Autumn ’08 issue of IDS Insights!
It’s been – to say the least – an interesting year so far. Economic uncertainties have driven many dealers to seek out new tools and innovative approaches to increase efficiency while maximizing profits…
And IDS has responded with exciting new products and services, and a re-focused commitment to the quality and integrity of Astra.
We’ve recently released the next generation of our Mobile Applications, including Mobile Inventory and Parts Receiving. And just in time for year-end planning, this issue of IDS Insights includes advice on conducting an effective year-end inventory count. Find out how you can use portable scanners to eliminate the headaches and errors associated with manual counts. Finish your inventory faster and with greater accuracy than ever before!
In September we released the latest version of Astra, the industry’s most powerful and comprehensive Dealer Management System. With over a year’s worth of enhancements and improvements, the latest version includes many features and functions designed to streamline your processes and procedures … all designed to help you deliver even better service to your customers!
We’ve also continued to expand our integration initiatives with Brunswick Marine, automating many of the tiresome and tedious tasks involved with Warranty Claims, Parts Ordering, and Product Registrations. IDS Integrations can help you increase efficiency and improve customer satisfaction – all while making your day-to-day operations easier than ever!
Proper preparation is the key to a successful year end, and careful planning will ensure your dealership is positioned to leverage opportunity in the years to come. The IDS Professional Services Team has the experience and expertise to help keep your business running smoothly. And we have the ideas, backed by proven, reliable solutions, to help you make the most of future opportunities. For details, contact your IDS Sales Representative today!
While the economic outlook may be unclear, one thing you can count on is an ongoing IDS commitment to Astra and to our customers. Because your success is our success!
Ready to Increase Customer Service?
Astra CRM
is the industry’s most comprehensive and cost-effective
solution
for managing and maintaining your contacts, from leads to customers.
As a fully featured customer relationship management system, Astra CRM
allows you to leverage valuable contact information, from
currently owned units to expressed interests, while building
all-important long-term relationships that bring customers back!
Click below to find out what else Astra CRM can do to make your dealership more successful!
Going Mobile
Counting your inventory has traditionally been a
time-consuming and tedious task, with far too much room for
error. The same is true of parts receiving –
recording
everything manually can be painfully slow, and the process is prone to
error.
Wouldn’t it be nice to simply walk your lot and automatically
record accurate, up-to-date details for each and every unit, quickly
and efficiently? Wouldn’t it be more efficient to
scan
incoming parts, and have your parts inventory updated automatically
…?
These are no longer just pipe dreams … thanks to the latest
generation of IDS Mobile Applications, Inventory counts and Parts
Receiving can be performed quickly and easily, using hand-held bar-code
scanners that ensure accuracy while freeing your staff for more
important tasks – like keeping your customers happy!
Preparing For Accounting Year-End
When you ask almost any dealer to give a list of their least favorite procedures, preparing for year-end in accounting is always right up near the top. We heard you loud and clear and have developed an easy 9 step process that will make your year-end a breeze. Plus, we have included a step-by-step system to help you close the fiscal year. Click below to find out more.
Simplifying Parts Year-End Inventory
A well-run Parts Department should begin preparing for their year end inventory on Day One of the New Year. Conducting an efficient, meaningful, and accurate inventory requires that sound parts handling procedures be followed year-round. The following information will help make sense of such terms as Average Costs and Sales to Purchase Ratios, along with what needs to be done before conducting a proper parts inventory!
Conducting a Proper Parts Inventory
Fiscal year end is fast approaching and most dealerships require their parts department to complete a full physical parts inventory count. This crucial process allows for correcting parts on-hand quantities, bin location errors and can bring to light current departmental procedural problems. Now if the thought of the impending inventory and related write-offs has your anxiety level nearing peak levels, do not despair, the following recommendations and reports will assist you in preparing for and completing the inventory process.
In This Issue
- Note from IDS-Astra
- Ready to Increase Customer Service
- Going Mobile
- Preparing for Accounting Year-End
- Simplifying Parts Year-End Inventory
- Conducting a Proper Parts Inventory
Web Resources
- Visit the IDS website
- Email Support
- Log in to the Dealer Resource Center
- Provide Feedback
- Contact IDS
Online Training
Classes
Designed to help each
dealership meet their goals, the web-based training classes are geared
towards improving practices in the most difficult areas to master.
Presented on a range of topics, including Payroll Setup, Accounts
Payable, Custom Reports, Service Efficiency, and Daily Documents, the
web-based training classes will allow users to enhance their knowledge
and experience by accessing the expertise of the IDS Professional
Services department without the extra costs related to travel.
More Details
Tired of Counting Inventory Manually?
By using the newest models of wireless bar code scanners with your Astra dealer management system, you can:
- Reduce time and manpower by up to 75%
- Eliminate errors associated with manual counts
- Perform cycle counts
- Easily perform vehicle inventory counts
- Carry out purchase order receiving.
Regional Training Classes
There’s still
time
to register for the final IDS regional training class of 2008.
Scheduled for November 11-14 in Las Vegas, NV, this training session
will cover topics related to Accounting, Reconciliation, Year-End
Preparation, Financial Analysis, and Parts & Service! This is
the perfect time of year to get away from the winter weather at home
and experience the best that Las Vegas has to offer!
More Details
IDS Employee
Spotlight
Integrated Dealer Systems
is
proud to feature Ben Raines, System Implementation Consultant, in the
Employee Spotlight. Ben is already known by many
customers for the educational multi-media training sessions he puts
together for the IDS Parts Inventory Scanners. “I like
helping the customers with the new technologies to help improve their
parts inventory” said Ben, when asked about the most
rewarding part of his job.
More Details
About
IDS
Integrated Dealer Systems is one of the world's leading providers of complete software solutions for the RV & Marine industries. With a customer base of over 9,500 users across North America, IDS has set the standard for quality and customer satisfaction since 1987. IDS supplies all the necessary training, installation, and support for Astra, the market's most complete dealer management system, as well as additional modules like Service Scheduler, FIpoint, and many more. Designed specifically for RV & Marine dealerships, IDS software integrates sales prospecting, accounting, administration, parts and inventory management, and many other areas as well. Our formula for success fulfills the IDS mission of bringing your business together.
©2008 Integrated Dealer Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.