Dealership management system

A dealership management system (DMS) is a bundled management information system created specifically for automotive industry car dealerships or large equipment manufactures, such as Caterpillar Inc dealerships, and also adapted for boat, RV, and power sports dealers. These systems often contain software that cater to the needs of the finance, sales, parts, inventory and administration components of running the dealership. One of their functions can be automating tax returns.^[1]

Summary

DMS software typically includes support for all aspects of running a dealership such as:

• Tracking vehicle inventory
• Tracking sales
• Finance and insurance calculations
• Menu selling systems
• Tracking customers (and customer follow up)
• Accounting
• Managing dealer website
• Calculating employee commissions
• Purchase order tracking
• Parts inventory
• Work order management
• Appointment scheduling

A typical DMS installation includes a central server which stores all data, allowing multi-user access for as many as 50 or more client computers. Some installations may include thin clients. Other DMS providers use a centrally-hosted, or Software as a Service/application service provider model.

A DMS usually offers many interfaces with other systems, particularly with systems of the manufacturer, in order to enable automatic processing of purchases, warranty claims, price lists and many other data.

In Europe many automotive manufacturers used to prescribe a certain specific DMS to their dealers. This is however no longer officially allowed under to the so called Block Exemption Regulation.

References

1. ^ Fortier, Wayne (2007-10-01). "Old IRS Rule Creates New Fuss". Ward's Dealer Business. http://wardsdealer.com/dealermanagementsystem/columns/auto_old_irs_rule/. Retrieved 2008-01-09.