Auto/Mate Announces Integration of DMS with SMI, Improving Customer Retention in Dealership Service Departments

ALBANY, N.Y., June 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Auto/Mate Dealership Systems (http://www.automate.com) announced today the integration of its dealership management system (DMS) with SMI's DriveService and DriveSales solutions. For auto dealers using both solutions, the integration ensures that customer information updated in the DMS will be updated in SMI's customer communications.

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"The key to a successful integration is for the dealer's data to be transferred instantly, securely and seamlessly between a DMS and a third-party solution provider," said Mike Esposito, President and CEO of Auto/Mate Dealership Systems. "Our Open/Mate platform makes it very easy and inexpensive for any third-party vendor to integrate with our DMS, resulting in more vendor choices and cost savings for dealers."

SMI's products are designed to increase customer engagement and response, proven to translate into higher closing rates on service recommendations in the fixed ops department. Following an inspection report, personalized communications encourage customers to share their information, offer choices regarding their service recommendations and build trust between the customer and service advisor.

"Integration between our service solutions and a dealership's DMS makes both technologies more accessible," said Garrett Jockel, CEO of SMI. "Technology should never get in the way of maximizing fixed ops profitability; it should make it easier."

Auto/Mate's fixed ops module offers a wide variety of tools to help increase service department volume and streamline the repair order (RO) process; including real-time status updates and appointment integration, OEM integration, service history, service merchandising, automated dispatching with electronic ROs and more.

Third-party software vendors interested in integrating with Open/Mate should contact Auto/Mate at (518) 371–4331.

About SMI (www.smidrive.com)

When Nick Jockel, a founder of SMI, worked in his father's garage as a kid back in the 1960's he remembered the simple measurement of the garage's success as a handshake, a smile, or a phone call from the customer when they had a question. SMI increases customer loyalty by helping dealers build customer relationships. Customers demand more communication than dealers have time to do, so we created a sales process of service recommendations to build trust before you sell.

About Auto/Mate

Auto/Mate Dealership Systems is a leading provider of dealership management system (DMS) software to retail automotive dealerships. Its Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) is a user-friendly, feature-rich DMS in use by more than 900 auto dealers nationwide. In 2013 Auto/Mate received the "Highest Rated" DMS award in the fourth annual Driving Sales Dealer Satisfaction Awards.

Auto/Mate's employees have more than 800 years of combined experience working in auto dealerships – the foundation of its "Designed By Car People For Car People^TM" slogan. For more information visit our website, follow us on Twitter @AutoMateDMS and subscribe to our blog at http://blog.automate.com

Media Contact: Holly Forsberg, Carter West Public Relations, 602-680-8960, [email protected]

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SOURCE Auto/Mate