A Note from IDS
Happy New Year and welcome to the January 2009 issue of IDS Insights!
Since our last newsletter in October, the economic outlook has continued to remain unsettled. And with this issue of IDS Insights, we have decided to feature ways for your dealership to run more efficiently. We are here to help and hope to show you how to get the most out of your Astra system.
We are working on an upgrade to our popular Service Scheduler, allowing you to maximize efficiency and productivity in your service department. We’ve also recently released the next generation of our Mobile Applications, including Mobile Inventory and Parts Receiving. Plus, our latest offering Astra CRM, offers the industry’s most comprehensive and cost-effective solution for managing and maintaining contacts while building lasting relationships!
Be sure to also check out the latest Best Practices Checklist, featuring a list of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks a dealership should be performing to remove end-of-the-month stress. Featuring specific tasks for each department, as well as general "to do" items, this is the perfect checklist to be printed and used throughout the dealership.
And as uncertain as our economic condition appears, there has never been a better time to harness the power of the IDS Professional Services Department. With the numerous live, Online Training Classes they offer each week, there is useful knowledge for every dealership to get the most from their IDS system.
For further details about our products and services, please contact your IDS Sales representative today!
Integrations Mean Efficiency
Running
a business would be a lot easier if all you had to do was sell stuff,
then sit back and count your money. However, in today's competitive
environment, it's utterly essential to ensure that your business is
operating in the most effective and efficient manner possible.
IDS Integrations can help your business thrive during tough economic times by automating formerly time-consuming tasks like Warranty Claims, Product Registrations, Parts Ordering and Pricing File Updates!
Upgrades to Service Scheduler & FIpoint
What’s next for IDS? Among the products we’re working on are upgrades to our very popular Service Scheduler and FIpoint offerings. Click below to find out all the latest details!
Increase Cash Flow with Warranty Claims
In these tough economic times, everyone is holding onto cash as much as possible. One way you can increase your cash flow, is to ensure you are submitting enough warranty claims to the manufacturers.
As many of you are aware, the cost to purchase your inventory from the manufacturer includes a percentage which they anticipate will be your dealership warranty submissions. In essence, you are paying up front for the warranty claims you will submit in the future. The percentage varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but in general it runs between 4% to 8% of the purchase price of the vehicle.
Best Practices Checklist
Month end does not have to be a stressful time. Click below for a checklist of Daily, Weekly, and Monthly “To Do” items that every dealership should utilize. This list can easily be printed and used in each dealership department!
^ topSave Time with Mail Merge
Did you know that Astra has the ability to automatically generate periodic contact letters using the Mail Merge feature? Using criteria that you designate, Astra will monitor your customer base and generate appropriate letters based on your criteria.
In This Issue
- Note from IDS-Astra
- Integrations Mean Efficiency
- Upgrades to Service Scheduler and FIpoint
- Increase Cash Flow with Warranty Claims
- Best Practices Checklist
- Save Time with Mail Merge
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
Improve Your Dealership's Efficiency
Get the management information you need to run a profitable service department.
- Schedule by work order, entire job, or individual labor line
- Offers suggested scheduling based on skill sets and availability
- At-a-glace views of
mechanic productivity
- Increase technician retention by increasing individual productivity
and income
More Details
IDS Employee
Spotlight
Integrated Dealer Systems
is
proud to feature Patty Permuy, Advanced Systems Consultant, in the
Employee Spotlight. Customers who have been to any Regional Training or
participated in IDS's Online Training Classes should already be
familiar with Patty and the outstanding work she performs.
Patty joined IDS in 1996 and was the Support Team Leader responsible
for the parts, service, unit inventory, and rental modules for four
years. Patty became a trainer and consultant in the Professional
Services department in 2000. In addition to the work mentioned above,
she also performs on-site parts & service department
consultations and training for the IDS customer base, and has developed
and instructs the advanced parts & service classes.
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.
©2009 Integrated Dealer Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.