Mercedes Benz and NetStar - Can we collaborate?

[Hoib]

A couple of years ago I posted a question aimed at trying to get a few MB dealership reps to collaborate with me on experiences and techniques to fix/remedy MB's NetStar web portal. Jeff K was kind enough to offer some resources but it's been a long time since (my fault).

What I'd like to do is re-ignite the discussion if possible. We still are having multiple difficulties with MB NetStar. Browser incompatibilities, Java versioning, IE settings issues combined with conflicting answers from MB Tech Support to name a few all are factor in what seems to be a never-ending flood of problems.


So, let me see if, in the last two years DR may have picked up one or more additional MB dealerships? Any MB-IT specialists out there willing to collaborate and work out some of these issues? We don't have to limit it to NetStar, but that's my one big problem these days. We could share information and techniques any way we choose, preferably here at DR so that perhaps others might benefit as well from the discussion.


Let's hear from you MB dealerships out there.

Hoib

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Hoib, I figured I would link to the first post you mentioned - http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f5/special-forum-mercedes-benz-problems-570.html#post9488
and the older thread I believe you meant to reference http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f44/procurement-mb-netstar-win-7-a-600.html

You're right about that being awhile back. Try 2009 - seems like forever ago.

Unfortunately we don't get too many MB dealers signing up, so I'm not sure how much more information or collaboration you might receive form the community. I do have a few more MB dealer connections, so let me see if I can bring them in to help out.

 

[Hoib]

OK Jeff, I figured you'd do that. Too bad we can't get some other MBs in here.
I'll let this cook for a while.

Meanwhile, great content on here since I last checked it out...

Hoib

 

[mcampo2501]

Just came across this thread and, as the internet sales director for an MB franchise, I couldn't agree more. For starters, I don't think there is an answer for Netstar issues unless we get someone on here that's actually with Mercedes-Benz corporate. I have to run multiple browsers to accommodate the needs of our many vendors however, that issue should find it's way to another thread. I'm not an "IT Guy", so to speak, but would love to be involved in anything that would help make things easier for us as MB franchise dealers. What did you have in mind?

 

[Hoib]

Just came across this thread and, as the internet sales director for an MB franchise, I couldn't agree more. For starters, I don't think there is an answer for Netstar issues unless we get someone on here that's actually with Mercedes-Benz corporate. I have to run multiple browsers to accommodate the needs of our many vendors however, that issue should find it's way to another thread. I'm not an "IT Guy", so to speak, but would love to be involved in anything that would help make things easier for us as MB franchise dealers. What did you have in mind?

Hi mcampo - so very glad you nosed in here! I am an IT Guy - working part-time 2x per week, helping my MB dealership contend with the challenges. My biggest no. 1 problem in there is the constant battle with Netstar, Internet Explorer and Java. As you know Netstar is our "meat and potatoes" web portal. Specifically I was looking to share ideas, perhaps some tips and tricks with other dealerships, (and especially in the Netstar arena) because as you already know, it IS the one thing we need to keep running to sell the line!

Although I handle most of the IT questions, equipment, configs - we both share concerns about increasing internet sales to keep us at least in the game and perhaps start to lead. It is the wave of the future. Frankly it is upon us right now.

I seek a deeper understanding of Netstar. I seek to share experiences. If we were able to get an MB IT rep to look in here - that's a clear winner and an excellent suggestion. But, can we and how do we? Would corporate even let them? Would they even agree?

So, let me suggest if you want hook me up with your IT folk and let's what each other can learn? Do it right here at DR and just maybe the word gets spread to others. As they say, "two heads are better than one". Right?

Thanks again for stopping in.

Hoib

 

[hermy]

We've had very little issues recently with Netstar's website, we used to have problems with the Java based Operational System. We've followed the advisories listed at the bottom of Netstar's login page. On Win 7, make sure you are using IE 8 or 9, Java jre-6u32, and have a high resolution set on the monitor to prevent the blurring problem.
A few things that we have tweaked on our end, make sure that *.mbnetstar.com is located in trusted sites with security settings set to as low as possible for trusted sites and then also switching the windows theme to classic. I know with all this, this weakens security quite a bit but it's inherent with using a dated version of Java and IE. You will just need to beef up your AV/Firewall/IDS to compensate. If you have multiple stores, deal with this on a case by case basis. For example, if you have a Honda store on the same network, don't put them on these settings, make sure they're up-to-date. You're also going to want to make sure none of these settings collide with other settings you may have.
On top of that, the advisories stated that you need Adobe Flash version 9 and Adobe Reader version 7. We have not had any issues with those being at the latest versions, just don't update to Adobe reader 9, that seemed to cause issues.
We also had issues with WIS-net with the wiring diagrams. For that make sure you get the offline installer of the autocad software they want you to use, the online version doesn't seem to work that well.
Let me know the results, if you still have problems, I can do a little more digging on our end.

 

[kybenz]

Hi mcampo - so very glad you nosed in here! I am an IT Guy - working part-time 2x per week, helping my MB dealership contend with the challenges. My biggest no. 1 problem in there is the constant battle with Netstar, Internet Explorer and Java. As you know Netstar is our "meat and potatoes" web portal. Specifically I was looking to share ideas, perhaps some tips and tricks with other dealerships, (and especially in the Netstar arena) because as you already know, it IS the one thing we need to keep running to sell the line!

Although I handle most of the IT questions, equipment, configs - we both share concerns about increasing internet sales to keep us at least in the game and perhaps start to lead. It is the wave of the future. Frankly it is upon us right now.

I seek a deeper understanding of Netstar. I seek to share experiences. If we were able to get an MB IT rep to look in here - that's a clear winner and an excellent suggestion. But, can we and how do we? Would corporate even let them? Would they even agree?

So, let me suggest if you want hook me up with your IT folk and let's what each other can learn? Do it right here at DR and just maybe the word gets spread to others. As they say, "two heads are better than one". Right?

Thanks again for stopping in.

Hoib

I have begged and pleaded for ten plus years to anyone that will listen to give us at the MB dealers an intranet forum such as this that we could access for MB related problems be it Netstar, parts issues, service issues, anything. Sadly it falls on deaf ears. There is a vast wealth of untapped knowledge out there that needs to be shared and that would do the trick. Only persons with a Netstar login could access it and it could be moderated by folks at MBUSA as well as dealer personnel.
The fact that MBUSA still can not be current enough for Chrome to access the Learning link is proof positive that our needs are minor by their standards. And don't even get me started with the Java issues.

 

[Hoib]

Well! This is great to have some other folks get in here! My bad for not having checked in more frequently.

I was able to fix our WIS/ASRA on our Win 7 workstations out in the bay. NetStar or certain portions of it are built on what are called "Microsites"; little areas where processing can be done independent of the main server. It's a way of distributing computing power out to the clients. Anyway, these Microsites have their own codebase in addition to the MB supplied templates and links found on the left hand nav. So, I experimented one day and found that if I put the Microsite into IE's Trusted Zone, I got purchase. I also found the placing WIS/ASRA into compatibility mode I got less shifting around and odd behaviors of the on-screen components. If you having issues with WIS/ASRA, try these two suggestions. Depending up your setup and security platform, you may have to make the user account an admin temporarily to get all this to congeal.

As a base, here's what I have today that works out in the service bays. Win 7 Pro 64bit, SP1, IE 10 (yes I have 10 working, folks), Java 7_25. Then I block all Java updating using the registry: HKLM > Software > JavaSoft > JavaUpdate > Policy >JavaupdateEnabled set from "1" to a "0". And I also ensure I have ticked off IE's ability to autoupdate on its own Help screen.

Flash: From memory (I'm not at work right now), I believe the advisory states Flash V 9 or higher. We're on 12.x and we do get everything to work in Learning Link etc.

Great to see others coming by here! Post back if you think there's more people could learn about this rag called NetStar. Thanks to all who stop in.

Hoib

 

[Hoib]

Let me see how others feel about this. Hermy had some great thoughts and observations on his approach to NetStar.

Let's talk about that spec page for a moment. I find it rather amazing that in the specifications page (Netstar Setup Page) we see that for example that a certain level of Java has passed testing and is certified. It's a killer for me, when I do call tech support, the first words I hear are something like, "Take off Java and go back to 6_32". I am quick to point out that the specs call for a certain level of Java as approved. Then I'll hear, "Yes we know but we just know 6_32 works". No acknowledgement that older Java 6 and even the current approved versions are security problems in and of themselves. I did have one tech support person recently insist that, "NetStar works without any browser modifications." I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now.

Of course, we out here know this: No Netstar = no sales/service/parts! And so the struggle continues to balance functionality with security and the rest of it.

What do you guys think of this inconsistency? Corporate culture needs to change? Are we asking too much?

H

 

[kybenz]

Let me see how others feel about this. Hermy had some great thoughts and observations on his approach to NetStar.

Let's talk about that spec page for a moment. I find it rather amazing that in the specifications page (Netstar Setup Page) we see that for example that a certain level of Java has passed testing and is certified. It's a killer for me, when I do call tech support, the first words I hear are something like, "Take off Java and go back to 6_32". I am quick to point out that the specs call for a certain level of Java as approved. Then I'll hear, "Yes we know but we just know 6_32 works". No acknowledgement that older Java 6 and even the current approved versions are security problems in and of themselves. I did have one tech support person recently insist that, "NetStar works without any browser modifications." I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now.

Of course, we out here know this: No Netstar = no sales/service/parts! And so the struggle continues to balance functionality with security and the rest of it.

What do you guys think of this inconsistency? Corporate culture needs to change? Are we asking too much?

H

No we are NOT asking too much. The "IT" people at MBUSA are simply clueless when it comes to real world day to day operations of the dealership as a whole. All they know is what is optimal in the world of Netstar. Consideration is not given to how the lack of Chrome or IE10 or using the latest Java might help us perform our job at a higher level of efficiency. I am a simple parts manager and my knowledge of what makes these systems work is not as vast as most but as we have limited access to an IT person I have had to learn on my feet. I too get so frustrated with the IT crew at Netstar when I call in and the "go to" response is uninstall Java, do a restart and install 6_32 and see how that goes...GRRRRR......... The new Mantra is the "The Best or Nothing", if that is true then give us the best, give us the latest, give us an ear. Live in our world and see what challenges we face.