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Many dealers who use a business management system (BMS) have a hard time imagining what life would be like without one. Having one saves time, money and resources.

“I could manage my business without one, but it wouldn’t be nearly as efficient and would require a lot more staff,” explains James Stoneham of Stoneham’s Motor Sports in Waynesboro, PA, and a Charter DealerWin software user.

Business management systems have several features for managing different aspects of the business, making it easier for dealers to track and analyze data.

Wholegoods and Parts Inventory Tracking – Used to see what parts or equipment are in stock and need to be ordered. It also tracks what is coming due in the floor plan or should be sold to free up cash and valuable shelf space.

“The BMS generates recommended parts orders for us,” explains Marvin Wainwright of Wainwright Lawn & Garden Equipment in Bordentown, NY, and a Charter user. “We check inventory and submit small stock orders once a day and heavier orders once a week.”

“I use inventory tracking more than anything,” says Terry Coffin, manager for Beards Outdoor Power Equipment where they have been using c-Systems Software for the past 20 years. “I can keep an eye on things we are getting low on and know when it’s time to reorder without having to do a time-consuming manual inventory.”

Service Department Work Orders – Users can assign equipment repairs within the system and track existing work orders. Reports also indicate technician efficiency and parts needed for repairs.

“We used to print out every work order,” says Ron Otten of Otten Small Engine in Sedalia, MO, and an Ideal Computer Systems user. “But now we just pull work orders up on the screen as they come in. It saves on extra paper and time.”

Cash Control and Accounts Receivable – Reports run monthly, quarterly and annually, helping dealers track sales.

“We utilize the accounts receivable module to generate account statements for customers on a monthly basis,” says Wainwright. “It’s good for keeping ourselves and the customers informed on accounts.”

PRODUCT SUPPORT MAKES ANY BMS BETTER

There are few things dealers would change in their BMS, and they all agree that the most valuable thing you can find is a supportive provider. A supportive provider will listen to your cares and concerns, and help you fully utilize your BMS.

“I like Ideal because of the support that comes with the program,” says Angela Suggs of Suggs Lawn Equipment in Royal Palm Beach, FL. “It’s not as easy as selling you the software and hardware. It’s the service they give you after they’ve made the sale that counts.”

A c-Systems user since 1988, Coffin agrees. “I have worked closely with them on many of our concerns or changes we thought they should make,” says Coffin. “It’s a great tool that has come a long way since we started using it 20 years ago.”