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CDK

CDK

Overview

What is CDK?

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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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

CDK Global's software, particularly CDK Drive, provides a range of use cases for automotive dealerships. Users can easily access client …
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Product Details

What is CDK?

CDK is a dealer management system (DMS) tailored to multiple dealership locations, designed to give users the insights and tools to manage a business.

The solution helps users:
  • Manage in Real-Time: Get notified of profit leaks and potential issues while they’re happening – and do something about it.
  • Boost Efficiency: Streamline operations and saves time with automated workflows and advanced communication tools.
  • Make Smarter Business Decisions: With a single view into the business and data at the user's fingertips, CDK helps track opportunities.

CDK Video

The CDK Dealership Xperience platform incorporates an integrated series of suites to help users elevate the consumer experience at dealerships.

CDK Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsWindows, Mac
Mobile ApplicationNo
Supported CountriesUnited States, Canada
Supported LanguagesEnglish
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(25)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

CDK Global's software, particularly CDK Drive, provides a range of use cases for automotive dealerships. Users can easily access client and vehicle information, track and manage inventory, generate reports for financial analysis, and streamline various aspects of their business. The software enables users to download end-of-the-month reports for future use, saving on paper and printing costs. It also allows for efficient tracking and management of client and vehicle information, facilitating smooth operations. Additionally, CDK offers a variety of reports and functions for parts inventorying, repair orders, warranty processing, and other essential dealership transactions. Some users have expressed satisfaction with the reliability and stability of CDK, having used it for many years without encountering major problems. However, there have been concerns about the promised features for the service department and the lack of attention in resolving issues. Despite this, users have been able to complete their work smoothly and efficiently using the software.

CDK Drive is highly valued by users for its comprehensive features and capabilities. It enables efficient deal management and comparison by allowing users to track and reference multiple deals simultaneously. The software simplifies inventory management by keeping all inventory information in one place, enhancing efficiency. It also helps track sales more efficiently, improving sales management and performance evaluation. CDK Drive eliminates manual time tracking by allowing employees to clock in and out electronically, improving accuracy and efficiency. Furthermore, CDK Drive streamlines appointment scheduling and offers a variety of tools to enhance productivity.

Users appreciate that CDK Global centralizes information, making it easier to find and access relevant data such as vehicle details, customer information, and inventory status. The software provides accurate report generation and revenue protection, ensuring financial integrity. It also facilitates transparency by allowing users from different departments to view reports, enhancing operational efficiency. CDK's integration capabilities simplify the integration process with other software platforms, providing flexibility and convenience.

While some users express satisfaction with CDK's functionality and its ability to improve various aspects of their business, there are concerns about the customer service provided. Some users have expressed dissatisfaction and a lack of attention to their needs. As a result, they are actively looking for alternative options. Nevertheless, CDK remains a valuable tool for many dealerships, simplifying day-to-day activities, enhancing productivity, and offering cost-effective solutions for inventory management, accounting, and deal tracking.

Easy to Use: Many users find CDK to be their favorite DMS to work on, stating that it is easy to use compared to other systems. They appreciate the ease of navigation, ability to jump between tabs, and the availability of shortcuts. Some users even mention that once they become familiar with CDK, they find it easy to use and retain their knowledge of the system.

Reliable Performance: CDK is praised for rarely crashing or operating slowly, making it reliable for users' needs. Users value its smooth and efficient management of the DMS tool. They also highlight CDK's quick response time and efficient performance, which helps them complete their tasks seamlessly.

Comprehensive Features: Users appreciate the wide range of features and tools provided by CDK. They find it beneficial for managing various aspects of dealership operations such as financial reporting, inventory tracking, cashiering, creating journal entries, adjusting entries for journals mistakes, entering accounts payable and receivable information easily. Additionally, users praise CDK for providing comprehensive solutions that meet the needs of different roles within a dealership.

Confusing and Complicated User Interface: Users have expressed frustration with the CDK software's user interface, describing it as confusing, complicated, and not user-friendly. Many reviewers have found it challenging to navigate without being proficient in the commands, leading to difficulties in using the software effectively.

Outdated Appearance and Design: Reviewers have criticized the CDK software for its outdated appearance and lack of intuitive design. The interface resembles a system from 20 years ago, which makes it less visually appealing and less engaging compared to modern alternatives.

Inadequate Customer Support: Users have voiced dissatisfaction with CDK's customer support services. They mentioned long wait times for assistance and difficulties in reaching the appropriate department for their concerns. The chat/message service was also reported as slow and unresponsive. Furthermore, users felt that the support staff lacked dealership experience and did not possess sufficient knowledge to address their issues effectively.

Users recommend considering and thoroughly testing Tekion against existing DMS options, with a focus on functionality and cost. It is also suggested to wait to use it if on Windows 11.

For dealer trades, users suggest utilizing CDK Drive as it is user-friendly and has reporting functions that other systems lack.

To make the most of CDK Drive, users recommend learning it thoroughly and utilizing customer support as needed. It is considered easy to use and recommended for large businesses.

CDK Drive is praised for its reliability and stability, making it a good choice for small dealerships.

Users highly recommend CDK Drive as an excellent dealership program that is accurate and includes intuitive tools.

CDK Drive is described as easy to use with multiple capabilities.

According to users, CDK Drive is a great product that saves money compared to other CRM providers. Positive experiences with support have also been reported.

When it comes to contracts, users advise being cautious and carefully considering the decision.

Integration into daily routines is found to be easy with CDK Drive, which users believe improves productivity when properly utilized.

For those familiar with Reynolds and Reynolds, users suggest trying CDK Drive.

Users consider CDK Drive as the best on the market.

In the transportation industry, CDK Drive is recommended for its accounting and inventory tracking capabilities.

The importance of support and training options for CDK Drive is emphasized by users.

CDK Drive gets the job done, according to users, but there are suggestions for improvements in terms of accounting user-friendliness.

Users advise against switching to CDK Drive if already signed with Reynolds and Reynolds.

Careful setup and daily oversight for sales and management operations with CDK Drive are recommended by users.

CDK Drive is seen as worth the price and offers better value than other programs, according to users.

Before choosing CDK Drive, users suggest researching integration with third-party vendors.

Building a relationship with a support center contact for CDK Drive is recommended by users.

To fully understand its capabilities, users suggest considering optional quarterly training for CDK Drive.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-2 of 2)
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Sherry Wood | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
It helps us keep track of vehicles in transit, the managers meet and review every deal that hasn’t yet been funded and what’s holding it up. It also helps with getting people in to service their vehicles. Advisors also use a streamlined process of selling additional work and can easily create ROs and schedule service appointments.
  • It helps us sell more in service.
  • It helps keep track of vehicles coming in.
  • It helps to remind customers who declined a service before.
  • It'd be nice if it weren't so expensive.
  • Automatic reports emailed to service managers.
  • Auto reporting emailed to designated managers.
We use CDK Drive and it replaced Autosoft. It was an incredibly long and hard experience to get everything integrated and our Ford store was still having trouble until just last week. This was 6-7 months of every other company pointing the finger at every other company. It took a long a painful time to get it fully integrated.
  • That is work seamlessly with our other software.
  • That it integrate well with our CRM.
  • That it keeps track of Stock#'s.
  • It will have a positive ROI in about 6 months.
  • It wasn't a smooth transition from another DMS.
  • It could be less expensive.
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.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Currently, I use it to support marketing goals. If may need to find customers due respond to reviews or help with public reputation. I also use customer lists from CDK Drive (export) to then upload for marketing emails. CDK Drive allows us to pull customers who had certain opcodes. For example, yellow/red tire opcodes for a tire rebate marketing email. Prior to marketing initiatives, I used CDK Drive every day as an appt coordinator. Set up appts, made preorders, opened tickets to order parts, and then took payments and checked out customers.
  • CDK Drive is great at integrating with other software programs or finding a solution to connect/gather information.
  • CDK Drive allows you to pull all kinds of information, lists for use outside of CDK (like pulling customer lists for marketing emails).
  • CDK Drive continually updates its systems and processes to keep up with modern technology (for example, implementing iPads/digital processes even for technicians).
  • Sometimes searching for customers is hard because it seems to just pull so many options (ex: even if a portion in a name matched).
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.
  • Creating repair orders for customer service repairs.
  • Connecting service advisors, parts department, and auto technicians using one system.
  • Keeping records of all transactions, both past and current estimates.
  • 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.
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