DMS Systems, Data, Security, I.T.

A user asks how to export data from a 6910 report in R&R (Reynolds & Reynolds) DMS to Excel or Word for sales analysis. Multiple solutions are offered: using ERaccess' Query Builder (accessed via Run menu), the Download Report Wizard (ALT+R+W), or contacting Reynolds directly for a custom query file. The key insight is that Query Builder, while having a steep initial learning curve, is ultimately more flexible and user-friendly than 6910 reports for data export and manipulation.

A Quebec-based dealer seeks advice on replacing their 10-year-old Reynolds DMS system, emphasizing the need for long-term stability (8-10 years) and bilingual capability—factors that limit their options. The discussion covers potential alternatives like Arkona DealerTrack, ADP, and others, with another Canadian dealer sharing their recent migration to DealerTrack across multiple brands. The key insight is that DMS selection for bilingual Canadian markets is a specialized challenge, with web-based accessibility and integration capabilities (like vAuto) being important modern considerations over legacy systems.

Scott Montgomery asks for user experiences with DealerTrack Arkona DMS, prompting discussion of the platform's strengths (OpenTrack integration capabilities, low vendor costs, cloud-based architecture, friendly staff) and significant weaknesses (limited functionality compared to competitors like ADP and Reynolds, poor customer service, quality issues). The thread reveals sharply divided opinions: vendors and those evaluating the system praise its open architecture, while an actual F&I user warns strongly against adoption, citing constant problems and poor support.

A Honda dealer's parts department is seeking a way to send their parts cart directly to their DMS system through ADP Drive's classic interface, rather than using the newer "Honda Express" feature, which they find slower and harder to read. The original poster believes such a button or shortcut existed at another dealership but cannot find it in their current setup, and suspects ADP may be deliberately removing legacy options to push users toward the new interface. The thread appears incomplete, with no clear resolution posted.

Automotive industry professionals debate work-life balance and productivity culture, contrasting the dealership industry's expectation of 50+ hour weeks with tech sector norms that value results over hours logged. Multiple participants share experiences showing that strict schedules (40 hours/week) and focused work environments actually increase productivity, while one long-time operator (CliffC) reports accomplishing more in 40 structured hours than he did working irregular 24/7 availability for 30 years. The consensus key insight is that productivity and quality of work matter far more than physical presence or hours worked, and that guilt-tripping employees about leaving "on time" is outdated practice that harms both morale and actual output.

Automotive professionals vent about frustrations with vendor support quality—particularly ADP's inconsistent phone support and preference for live chat that they find inadequate for complex issues. The thread shifts toward JohnH sharing a project to integrate J.D. Power's awards database into inventory systems for better pre-owned vehicle shopping experiences, with other dealers expressing interest in the initiative and pricing details.

A dealer reported that Reynolds is removing the Scheduler feature from ERA, prompting discussion about whether this is a complete removal or just the first step. Users confirmed that Reynolds previously communicated plans to disable the ability to create new scheduler jobs citing security concerns, though existing jobs would continue functioning, and there's speculation this may extend to other features like Query Builder. The thread reveals uncertainty about the full scope and timeline of these changes, with users noting Reynolds' history of incrementally deprecating features.

A third-party IT consultant asks how to add non-Lexmark printers (Canon, Xerox, Konica) to an Intellipath DMS to reduce supply costs, but learns from a reply that Intellipath servers are controlled exclusively by the vendor's TAC (Technical Assistance Center), automatically scan and update printer drivers nightly, and do not support alternative brands. The key takeaway is that dealers are locked into Lexmark as the only supported printer option with no workaround available at the dealer level.

A dealer reports severe performance issues with Arkona DMS (slow loading, printing failures) and inability to reach customer support, while another user seeks troubleshooting help for a General Sales Manager account configuration problem. An insider reveals that Arkona 1 (one of two main server instances) runs on outdated hardware with a severely backed-up CPU for mathematical functions, causing multi-hour processing delays, and recommends prospective customers request installation on the newer Arkona 2 servers instead. The thread concludes with general criticism of Arkona as a low-quality product with poor customer service despite its low cost.

A dealership IT professional reports serious issues with Reynolds Anti-Virus RAVS-2.0 implementation, particularly the lack of a management console to monitor infected machines and vague daily status reports that provide insufficient visibility into system security threats. Reynolds technical support reportedly confirmed these monitoring features are unavailable, forcing the user to rely on third-party tools like Malwarebytes to detect infections—highlighting a significant functionality gap compared to the previous RAVS 1.0 version.

Todd Caputo seeks recommendations for a consulting firm to help negotiate his DMS renewal or switch after previously using the Gillerie Institute five years ago. One respondent confirms familiarity with the Gillerie Institute but provides no alternative recommendations or additional information. The thread appears unresolved, with no viable alternatives suggested for DMS vendor negotiation consulting services.

A dealership owner considering switching to Mac computers seeks advice on compatible DMS, CRM, and F&I software, prompting experienced Mac users to share their setups and workarounds. The consensus is that most cloud-based CRM tools (DealerSocket, vAuto, Trader) run fine on Mac browsers, but traditional DMS systems like ADP are Windows-only and require virtualization software such as Parallels or VMware to operate. Users also note that some manufacturer portals and third-party vendor sites have poor Mac compatibility, though this varies by manufacturer and is gradually improving with newer platform versions.

Matt McCormick, an Internet Sales Manager at a Chevrolet dealership, seeks solutions for managing GM OneSource leads across both Reynolds and eLeads platforms, as Reynolds' native lead handling is slow and cumbersome. A respondent (Djackson) suggests two primary approaches: routing OneSource leads to eLeads first before Reynolds, or setting up automated email notifications/forwarding between systems using XML ADF formatting. The thread identifies that lead forwarding capabilities and system automation limitations are the key technical constraints to solving this multi-platform lead management challenge.

Microsoft and Nissan Japan announced a strategic partnership to develop a next-generation DMS using cobbled-together Microsoft products, with potential for broader availability beyond Japan. The original poster highlights the significance of this move as Microsoft's latest attempt to enter the automotive DMS platform space, noting the vague language around future expansion suggests either cautious market testing or typical tech-industry hedging in press releases.

Blake Arbogast seeks an ADP consultant to customize the DMS for his RV dealership, as ADP is primarily designed for automotive use. Responses suggest both finding an experienced ADP consultant (John Oliver is recommended) and consulting successful RV dealers already using ADP, though one user cautions against ADP's non-core offerings like websites and email services—a claim that sparks debate about the quality of ADP's CRM and DMS functionality.

A dealer principal raises concerns about DMS data access agreements with third parties like Capital One and TrueCar following recent industry controversies, prompting a discussion about whether dealers have properly audited their data sharing arrangements. The thread reveals two critical vulnerabilities: many dealerships may unknowingly have multiple vendors accessing sensitive DMS data through poorly understood contracts, and unqualified or unauthorized employees often sign vendor agreements without dealer principals' knowledge or legal review. Participants agree this represents a genuine risk requiring immediate attention, with one noting that many dealers remain oblivious to the data implications of "free lead" services.

Reynolds and Reynolds has implemented an automated security process that disables user IDs suspected of third-party vendor access, with locked accounts showing an "AUTOMATED ACCESS ATTEMPTS" message and no admin unlock capability in the standard interface. Dealers and IT professionals report frustration over the policy's impact on legitimate internal automation (like ERA Access scheduler scripts) and Reynolds' apparent reluctance to unlock accounts unless vendors obtain RCI certification, with some suspecting the measure is designed to stifle competition rather than genuine security threats. A Reynolds representative (Dave Bates) eventually engaged with an affected user, suggesting the policy has legitimate justification, though community skepticism remained.

A vendor warned a dealership that Reynolds & Reynolds was falsely claiming security breaches to remove competing third-party integrations, prompting discussion about whether the DMS company was anti-competitively blocking software providers. The thread reveals disagreement over Reynolds' motives—some forum members view it as predatory business practices, while others (including what appears to be a Reynolds defender) argue the company is legitimately protecting dealer data security and that third-party vendors are actually data brokers with poor security records.

Dealers received confusing information that ERA Ignite, Reynolds DMS's new GUI interface, would replace ERALink after March 20th, prompting the original poster to seek clarification from the community. A Reynolds representative clarified that ERA Ignite is not replacing ERALink but rather a new platform for upcoming applications like HR Management and Cash Receipts, with both systems coexisting for the foreseeable future. The thread reveals ERA Ignite is a desktop (non-web-based) application debuting at NADA with customizable features, though opinions vary on its capabilities relative to existing solutions.

Dealers debate whether ADP and Reynolds intentionally maintain profit streams through paper sales and support fees rather than improving product reliability, with participants sharing frustrations about excessive printing costs, convoluted support tier systems with unclear billing, and the ability to reduce expenses by sourcing forms and hardware independently. The discussion reveals a broader industry concern that large DMS vendors may have misaligned incentives—benefiting from dealer inefficiency rather than streamlined operations—though some participants note that dealers aren't obligated to purchase proprietary supplies. The thread concludes without definitive resolution but validates the original theory as plausible based on real dealer experiences with rising form costs and support expenses.

ChrisB inquires about ADP's DMS for a new dealership and experiences slow sales responsiveness and poor initial communication. After eventually implementing ADP Web Suite 1000, he reports frustration with frequent connection timeouts and considers it inferior to a full server-based system. Multiple users, particularly kcar, warn against ADP due to outdated products, inadequate support with long hold times (30-45+ minutes), and slow conversion processes (8-9 months), though one moderator advises ensuring all vendor promises are documented in writing.

A dealer is struggling to extract sales and service data from their RR/UCS Power system due to corporate restrictions on remote access and inadequate support from their UCS representative. Respondents confirm that UCS data extraction is poorly designed, requiring manual setup of custom reports with limited formatting options, and suggest workarounds including third-party services like Cobalt's Integralink ($50/month) or legacy products like Daysol, though long-term support for these solutions is uncertain.