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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 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We use CDK as our primary Dealer Management System, throughout the entire organization. It replaced Reynolds & Reynolds, which performed many of the same functions but at a much higher cost and on an older style infrastructure. Every department uses it at all locations, and some have found the transition easier than others, but the cost savings definitely justify the switch and temporary loss of efficiency and productivity.
  • Cloud-based, uses far less resources to run on each individual computer, minimizing the costs of upgrading hardware for every employee.
  • The fact that it is able to be used remotely adds a great deal of functionality, as there are times when usage outside of normal business hours is needed in my position.
  • Possibly because of the web-based nature, there are times when it can be slightly slow and laggy.
  • Some functions are less intuitive to use than Reynolds and Reynolds but that is more of a personal preference.
The only situation within the automotive field in which I would not recommend using this product is if your employees are already comfortable with another, similarly priced DMS, such as DealerTrack or AutoMate. In that type of situation, the positive impact of the DMS would likely be outweighed by the cost and effort of retraining an entire staff to use it.
  • It has had an enormous impact on lowering our fixed expenses, as everything is less expensive, down to the paper that is used.
  • Data processing costs are down as well due to the fact that multiple facets of the program combine needed processes into one.
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 comfortable with Reynolds, the thousands of dollars per month extra simply can no longer be justified for a product that lags behind in areas like reporting and cashiering functionality.
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.
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