CDK is a dealer management system (DMS) supporting multi-site auto dealers with task management and operational automation wtih analytics, from CDK Global (formerly ADP Dealer Services).
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VinSolutions
Score 7.6 out of 10
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VinSolutions, a Cox Automotive company, offers a suite of CRM and operational support applications for auto dealerships.
CDK presents a much stronger, full integration of needed services than I found with AutoMate in particular, slightly better than Dealertrack, without the enormous additional cost incurred by using ERA-IGNITE. I have used nearly every DMS on the market and while I am still most …
CDK Drive is great at connecting all the team members in service/parts. We used to have a foreman who had to dispatch work to each technician, which is now done through CDK Drive. Technicians can get help with part requirements/needs through CDK. Before, each technician had to go back to the parts department and wait. CDK Drive is good at offering an option to record and send a video of what was found on a service diagnosis, this helps with transparency and trust.
It is well suited to customer communication - emails/calls/texts. It helps with all those. You are able to get personal by adding notes to remember in the future, or tasks to complete down the road. It keeps history, so no salesperson can argue who did want and who gets the credit. Essentially, it is the final word - if the employee doesn't record it in Vin - then it didn't happen and anyone can help a customer. Seems to be less appropriate for actual marketing-related activities (as mentioned with their campaign manager).
Tracks sold logs, desk logs, offers, etc. so there is no confusion over what was offered or by whom.
Gives a clear, concise list of sold vehicles, who sold them, and front and back end gross for easy reference.
Trade appraisals are clearly visible, along with who appraised them, so there is no potential for misunderstanding between the sales managers, GSM and GM.
Because VinSolutions is able to pull customers lists, they also made a campaigns manager that allows you to create marketing emails and send them out. However, after the initial launch they never updated it, it seems. It would be the best thing...if it was 2005.
This customer lists that I like to export to upload into my own email software, I can't get the actual list myself - I have to contact my Vin rep for them to give me. These lists are not the same, nor have the same filters, as the report lists that Vin does provide dealers. So, I prefer the other.
Great job by everyone from the initial sales staff to the implementation team to the support staff. Always ready, willing and able to help out with any questions or issues that arise, even those from people who are simply not computer savvy and have had a hard time transitioning to a new product for everyday use.
Technical support, general customer support, implementation support are all top notch. All representatives from the company check in every couple weeks to make sure all is going well; if there is a problem, I generally have a solution given within hours if not soon; and they are friendly, easy to understand, and do a great job. Well done!
CDK Drive is way better, but from my experience, the integration process was very long and very painful and we feel CDK Drive could've made that less painful and less lengthy. Once it is working the way it should, I am sure that we will love it. Right now though, every time something else goes wrong, it builds on the frustration of the other 50 things that went wrong prior.
Positive, in that CDK Drive is helping us accomplish objectives that our auto group is presenting for our dealerships to improve/work on as a service dept.
Positive in that it keeps up with modern technology and customer expectations in these times with new offerings in communication, recordings, etc.
Positive in that it has a response to each requirement that the auto manufacturer comes to us with. OEM starts requiring a new process/offer, and CDK has a way for us to fulfill that.
Not sure about our financial investment in VinSolutions, but we have been with them for over 10 years, so our management keeps choosing it over other options (we have reviewed others in the past recommended by our dealer group).
Positive impact on keeping our customers...ours. This avoids sales consultants recording their customers in some random ledger of their own...and then taking that list with them when they leave - especially to another dealership. This ensures that each person is the dealership's customer, and not the salesperson's customer.
History is recorded, and we never know what we need until we run into an issue. VinSolutions is our go-to for many past communications and transactions. It provides a 'road to the sale' story that managers can pull up to help them navigate concerns.
