another one bites the dust...

[joe.pistell]

oh yea, I forgot one more point, I just got a call: "why is my PC so slow and what's this thing on my toolbar?"

IT RESPONSIBILITIES.

• Network design and troubleshooting
• Anti-Virus and Malware
• PC malfunctions
• New Installs
• etc..

When the dealer hires the right player to lead their technology systems, the entire staff knows they have a geek on board and they go completely brain dead and they call you every chance they get.

 

[Billfred]

oh yea, I forgot one more point, I just got a call: "why is my PC so slow and what's this thing on my toolbar?"

IT RESPONSIBILITIES.

• Network design and troubleshooting
• Anti-Virus and Malware
• PC malfunctions
• New Installs
• etc..

When the dealer hires the right player to lead their technology systems, the entire staff knows they have a geek on board and they go completely brain dead and they call you every chance they get.

THIS.

Perhaps one of the best Christmas gifts I received last year was the word that our dealership group had hired a professional IT director. I still get the calls, but now I have backup.

 

[Chris Cachor]

Joe,

I was more so alluding to consolidating different systems together and how it can "muddy the water" so to speak. However, I thought about it some more and I don't see this acquisition in that light anymore. I think it's got more to do with industry consolidation and offering the full suite like Alex said. I'm sure they will operate the same way they have but now under a large umbrella. I am sticking to my guns about product specialization among different services/companies though!!!

 

[Alex Snyder]

AutoTrader Buys VINSolutions Dealer CRM and Services | DealerRefresh
My comment:

The way I see it, if Chip Perry can get all his teams, his team leaders
and his players lined up, there will be no more important asset a dealer
could own than a VINsolutions web site.
​

In the end, it's ALL about the man at the top, a Dealer picks the leader they think has built the best team.

As of May 2011, for a one call solution, a Dealer has to pick Chip Perry vs Mark O'Neil (isn't it funny how reyrey didn't make the cut

Game, Set, Match.

This is all assuming Autotrader and DealerTrack leadership is strong enough to put the pieces together. It is assuming that was the top priority for the purchase, and had little to do with the stock market. It also assumes the acquired players (the "brainchilds" so to speak) will stay with the mothership in positions that are high enough to continue to affect true innovation. It assumes the payday wasn't big enough for the "brainchilds" to either create new desires to build another company on their own or to retire.

It just seems like a huge stretch to optimistically view any of this as good for a dealer in the long term. Exciting today, sure. 2 years from now, ummmm, I'll be first in line to wager a bet on that one next time we're in Vegas.

 

[joe.pistell]

...This is all assuming Autotrader and DealerTrack leadership is strong enough to put the pieces together.

Yup, that's everything Alex, all in one sentence. Leadership is EVERYTHING. i.e. Bill Gates or Steve Jobs?

WHO do you buy your "all in one system" from?
These new united companies now are headed by the CEO who oversee the department leaders (who we all ex-owners). These new department leaders have to fit their agenda and tempo into the big picture. For the leaders at the top (the CEO), technical prowess is not whats always needed, it's LEADERSHIP.

Look at the eye-popping job Ford's new CEO Alan Mulally has done.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/22/news/companies/ford_mulally/index.htm

I'd drop everything and work for this guy for food & shelter. The most skilled leader I've ever seen:


Personally, I'm getting a good vibe from Chip Perry's team potential.

Lastly, the "buy pieces here and there and build the system yourself" scenario could gain strength if the "all in ones" dumb their potential down to the lowest common denominator.

I think you're right on the money with the 2year tell.

 

[joe.pistell]

Hmm... good thread.

It looks like our industry is going thru another wave of web evolution.
-1st Wave: BZ Results
-2nd Wave: Dealer.com
-3rd Wave: The Battle of the Goliaths

 

[[email protected]]

Alex, you are absolutely correct that getting multiple products from a single vendor can be a bad thing. But, as you called out, most of the companies in our space offering multiple solutions are just offering different products based on the acquisitions they have made. So it's really not much different from buying from multiple vendors; the products still don't talk to each other very well. It's very confusing to the dealers to see this distinction. Hopefully this thread will help. The value is derived when you have multiple solutions being offered on ONE product/database/application platform.

You are also correct in saying there are reasonable lines where it doesn't make sense. Examples given. But for the core functionality, it makes a ton of sense. I think Joe reiterated this in his post below.

 

[joe.pistell]

Joe,

... I am sticking to my guns about product specialization among different services/companies though!!!

I get where your coming from Chris,

But, everywhere I look, the Dealer's Digital World is getting more and more and more complex -AND- it's all changing at the speed of light.

Here is one small example of the new challenges that will test the Dealer's Digital Team: http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/used-car-king-make-over-diary-1683-8.html#post14786

For a dealer to rank well, GPOM will require 3-4 different specialists to make it happen. WHAT A CLUSTER *k

 

[vinviper]

Don't worry, as the big dogs like DearTrack, AutoTrader, et al snap up innovate companies like eCarlist, others, like VIN Viper will continue to fill that gap as independent providers.

It's pretty safe to assume that eCarlist will be there to support DearTrack's antiquated systems - which leaves plenty of room for smaller, nimble companies to offer dealers what they need. To say they will fill a support role, and help transition DealerTrack away from Laser Appraiser, is an understatement.

We just launched the Android and later this year we will far surpass anything eCarlist ever had on their white board. Stay tuned - we've got some slick stuff up our sleeves

Jason Seligman
President - VIN Viper

 

[john.quinn]

DealerTrack to Acquire eCarList
[FONT=&quot]DealerTrack to Acquire eCarList: PR Newswire Business News - MSN Money

Grrr... Quite possibly one of my most favorite & innovative players... . ________

All.
The small boutique players are aligning themselves with the big dogs. They must be getting feedback that tells them that you must be part of a "one call does it all" solution or your dust.

My instincts tell me the heavy hand of the Manufacturers that is driving this change.
[/FONT]

OEM Manufacturers? I dunno man. You know I work with a bunch -- most are in the "Way Way Way...... Waaay Behind" bucket.