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Old 03-18-2011, 09:21 AM   #1
bill8972
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We are currently in the process of changing our DMS from UCS to ??? Our finalists as of now are ACS, AutoSoft, AutoMate, DealerTrack and PBS. I would be very interested to hear from anyone using these systems especially if you are a former UCS client. I'd like to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Old 03-18-2011, 09:24 AM   #2
79LilRedExpress
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Originally Posted by bill8972 View Post
We are currently in the process of changing our DMS from UCS to ??? Our finalists as of now are ACS, AutoSoft, AutoMate, DealerTrack and PBS. I would be very interested to hear from anyone using these systems especially if you are a former UCS client. I'd like to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.
As a small dealer, you gotta love Autosoft.

Best bang for the buck... IMHO of course !
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Old 03-18-2011, 10:38 AM   #3
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We had AutoMate. Loved it. Very easy to use. Cheap, no contract, and great customer service.
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Old 03-18-2011, 10:46 AM   #4
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As a small dealer, you gotta love Autosoft.

Best bang for the buck... IMHO of course !
Agreed! All Windows Based, in house server, user friendly. Great Bang for the Buck. You get alot of perks with this system too just ask other dealers with it.

I know a large dealership group that is on Dealertrack and for the past week have not been able to work. DealerTrack is all internet based so NO Internet NO DMS system. It seems not to be working very well.
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Old 03-18-2011, 01:03 PM   #5
jayhawk
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wev'e been on autosoft since '99. its way more sophisticated than we'll ever be. still paying the same monthlies as '99,. great support too.
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Old 03-19-2011, 08:11 AM   #6
chryslersrt8
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We used Autosoft for 10+ years. Not only are they affordable the customer support from AutoSoft and their local vendor (Automotive Parts & Services) was outstanding!
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Old 03-19-2011, 09:42 AM   #7
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Automate here easy to use but does have a few little quirks that are a pain, but all in all customer service and price are very good.
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Old 03-20-2011, 10:48 AM   #8
jeepdealer
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I agree with jadog1. We switched from R+R to Automate. Quirks are small price to pay for substantial cost savings and month to month contract. Transition for employees went remarkably well.
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Old 08-25-2011, 02:22 PM   #9
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I need a little more advice, hopefully from an independent who has done the recearch recently. I am out of contract with ADP. I've cut all the frills I can, and my monthly runs about $1,700.00. I still think this is too much, but everyplace I look, I see but one price alternative (Autosoft) with an upfront in house server and install of about $9,000.00. Is there any other DMS out there for a low volume independent?
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Old 08-25-2011, 02:46 PM   #10
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we've been with ADP since 1986. When they realized we were probably going with Dealer Track or Automate they dropped their price almost in half so we stayed with them.
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Old 08-25-2011, 07:21 PM   #11
79LilRedExpress
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I need a little more advice, hopefully from an independent who has done the recearch recently. I am out of contract with ADP. I've cut all the frills I can, and my monthly runs about $1,700.00. I still think this is too much, but everyplace I look, I see but one price alternative (Autosoft) with an upfront in house server and install of about $9,000.00. Is there any other DMS out there for a low volume independent?
If you can find an old IBM "DIAL SYSTEM" Netfinity 5600 server from the old days, Autosoft can retro fit it for you. So you won't have the expense of a new server.

And if you get your own work station PC's ( although I used Autosofts PC's ) you can save a lot of that $9000.

My vote is still for Autosoft. They have been very good to work with.
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Old 08-26-2011, 06:39 AM   #12
steve_biegler
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I'm with Red....Autosoft. Month to month too! Ask some of the ADP or R&R guys who got cut how understanding they are about the contract if you are all of a sudden gone.
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Old 08-26-2011, 10:29 AM   #13
XDCX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 79LilRedExpress View Post
If you can find an old IBM "DIAL SYSTEM" Netfinity 5600 server from the old days, Autosoft can retro fit it for you. So you won't have the expense of a new server.

And if you get your own work station PC's ( although I used Autosofts PC's ) you can save a lot of that $9000.

My vote is still for Autosoft. They have been very good to work with.
That's an interesting solution - thanks for adding the information to the thread.

With all of the dealerships that have closed over the past two years I'd have to guess there's a glut of old hardware available that could be reconfigured at a lower cost than buying new.
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Old 08-26-2011, 01:44 PM   #14
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The biggest drawback I see, is finding the "right" IBM "Dial system" Netfinity 5600 server. I searched and there are matching names out there, but my eyes glaze over when I see them identified not only by serial number, but also by processor. I am trying to get more specifics from Autosoft, and possibly, and I would do this of I was them, put an "out of service" former customer together with me. This avoids all the finger pointing of "the used server is wrong" and eliminates the Autosoft need for reconfiguration. Hope my salesperson from Autosoft can see my point of view.
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Old 08-27-2011, 07:34 AM   #15
chryslersrt8
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Instead of dealing with an old server check around for a new one. On the dell computer site new servers are available for under $1000. You can get a great new one, faster and more reliable than any old one plus get new model coverage. Is it worth saving a little money if your main source for computing throughout the dealership is down due to breakdown? Autosoft's local reps for Chicagoland (Automotive Parts Services) helped us when we bought ours. No I did not like buying a new server but it lasted 11 trouble free years until we closed (shut down!).
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