Maybe we should start some topics and break down each item for example...
CDK is an ancient program — not a lot has been done to upgrade the original version for decades. This is standard operating procedure when companies/private equity buy legacy companies.
Innovation is not the goal. They slap on a new paint job or buff out the dents, and package it as the “new improved version” that is always much more expensive but “worth the investment.”
These corporate raiders’ goal is to cut costs at all costs, and in this debacle, it’s clear they stripped the car for parts and left the data vulnerable to cyber criminals.
Theoretically, a mature DMS provider should be able to lose any single critical part of your core business and be able to restore functionality within 24 hours (barring a massive natural disaster/personnel losses). Instead, they have no backups, no redundancy, no separate servers, and no siloed databases.
And when they got hacked they paid the hackers to get back their content, which means the hackers are still in there.
From my understanding what they offer is...
- Dealer Management System (DMS): CDK Drive, their flagship DMS, integrates tools to manage operations, streamline tasks, and boost profits through an intuitive interface (CDK Global) (CDK Global).
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Solutions to manage and enhance customer interactions, improve satisfaction, and drive sales (CDK Global).
- Fixed Operations: Tools to enhance service department efficiency, customer satisfaction, and revenue generation through online service appointments, real-time communication, and streamlined service upsells (CDK Global).
- Digital Retail: Solutions to support online sales and customer engagement, providing a seamless omnichannel experience (CDK Global).
- Finance & Insurance: Tools to manage financial transactions, insurance services, and compliance (CDK Global).
- IT Solutions: Managed IT services including cybersecurity, network management, and cloud-hosted solutions to ensure dealerships stay connected and secure (CDK Global).
- Intelligence and Analytics: Advanced analytics tools to help dealerships identify opportunities and drive business growth (CDK Global).
- Support Services: Comprehensive support services including technical support, training, and proactive system monitoring to ensure dealerships operate smoothly (CDK Global).
