RICHFIELD, Ohio, April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- OEConnection LLC, the leading Online Parts and Service Exchange (OPSX) for the automotive industry, and Multi Service, a global transaction management company specializing in billing and payment systems, have announced a partnership aimed at improving and simplifying the transaction process for automakers, dealerships and their fleet customers.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030515/OECONNLOGO )

In addition to offering fleet customers an easier way to pay for all of their parts and service needs, dealerships will benefit from the solution's streamlined processes that eliminate the paperwork and administrative burden associated with managing receivables. Automakers that contract with OEConnection and Multi Service to provide the solution for their fleet and commercial customers will have access to enhanced reporting capabilities, including data on fleet maintenance expenditures, part-replacement trends, and more.  

Currently, most fleet customers pay each individual dealer for parts and services, spending time reconciling each bill and issuing payments.  Through the solution, qualified fleet customers will open an account that gives their drivers access to any participating dealership, nationwide. Not only will participating fleet customers enjoy the ease of a single consolidated bill, they will also have access to detailed spending reports to help them manage their fleet maintenance expenses at the individual vehicle level.

Charles Rotuno, President & CEO at OEConnection, said automakers have reported that fleet and commercial customers are deferring vehicle replacement and spending more on parts and maintenance as a result of the recent recession and increasing fuel prices.    

"By offering maximum convenience and simplicity, automakers and dealerships have an opportunity to attract new business and build on customer loyalty," said Rotuno.  "We are pleased with the opportunity to partner with Multi Service; they have an outstanding reputation for providing specialized billing and payment services, which complements our expertise in automotive parts and service solutions."

Martha Salinas, Vice President of Multi Service, added, "We are excited to combine our efforts with OEConnection.  Their parts service exchange has strengthened the OE-dealer relationship. We look forward to expanding that service offering and bringing fleets into the benefit circle with new payment solutions."    

General Motors is the first automaker to contract with OEConnection and Multi Service for the collaborative solution, which will be available to all U.S. GM dealerships and their fleet customers in 2011.

About OEConnection LLC

OEConnection is the leading Online Parts & Service Exchange (OPSX) in the automotive industry and beyond, serving over 20,000 dealership and repair customers.  Customers use OEConnection products over 5 million times each month to market, manage and move original equipment parts, facilitating an estimated $12 billion in annual replacement parts trade.  The company is headquartered in the greater Cleveland area at 4205 Highlander Parkway, Richfield, Ohio, 44286.  Additional information is available at www.oeconnection.com or by emailing Marilyn Thaxton at Marilyn.Thaxton@OEConnection.com.

About Multi Service

Multi Service specializes in the design, implementation and management of custom billing and payment solutions. The company collaborates with clients to isolate specific commercial credit and payment issues, identify measurable portfolio growth goals, and design a tailored private label payment solution to optimize customer loyalty. The company's expertise in business-to-business sales processes assists clients in maximizing the lifetime value of individual commercial accounts and optimizing their overall commercial portfolio.

SOURCE OEConnection LLC