To whom it may concern,
Reynolds and Reynolds has a new process to prevent third party data collection from a dealers DMS. Security is very important, but everywhere I look, Reynolds has taken a completely combative anti-dealer, anti-vendor posture that clearly shows Reynolds’ main goal is to erect a vendor toll booth into the DMS and call it Reynolds Certified Access. Reynolds will force vendors to pay to become certified. Who pays the vendors… DEALERS.
Reynolds presents this effort to the dealer body as a security measure to protect its dealers. Every aspect of this new initiative from Reynolds is done in an uncooperative, anti-dealer spirit. This combative attitude is all about defending a new profit center for Reynolds. Examples are everywhere, here is but one…
IS HOMENET THE ENEMY… REALLY?
Homenet, a division of AutoTrader, owned by Cox Enterprises must qualify for “best of class” vendor status. Cox that brings us other little known companies like Manheim, Kelly Blue Book and VIN solutions, clearly they are a vendor with stellar credentials. Thousands and thousands of dealers everywhere in the USA depend on HomeNet to make our inventory visible online. HomeNet warehouses our inventory and they make it available to our websites and distribute our inventory to classified sites like Cars.com and Autotrader.com.
Why in the world is HomeNet being shut out of the Reynolds DMS? It’s because HomeNet refuses to pay ransom to the gatekeeper… Reynolds. Reynolds knows full well that dealers are under contract and loathe the thought of finding a new DMS vendor. This fuels a pompous, anti-dealer posture that helps no one but Reynolds.
Reynolds Inc, If you’re here to protect your dealers, then why the combative, uncooperative, anti-dealer profit grab? Let’s call it like it really is. Reynolds Security initiative is simply a TOLL BOOTH TAX on your dealer network wrapped in a security blanket.
Get off your high horse. It’s not the vendors fault your DMS is flawed. It is your responsibility to build a system that is secure.