Dealers still reliant on manual lock boxes for customer car keys, AM Dealer Council survey finds

PRLog (Press Release)– Mar 14 car news , 2011– The vast majority of UK dealers are still reliant on manual systems for holding, storing and securing customer car keys when in for servicing or repair.  The survey of senior directors of dealer groups found over half (51%) of dealer groups still use manual, locked key cabinets to hold keys. A further third (33%) had other manual key management systems for holding keys; whilst only one in six (16%) have fully networked key management systems supported by software for locating and reporting on key and vehicle movements.

Paul Smith, managing director of iB Management Solutions which is the UK's premier provider of electronic key management systems for automotive dealerships, commented on this finding: "There has been a strong rise in the number of dealers upgrading to electronic key management solutions over the last five years but it  is clear  we still have a great deal of  work to do to communicate the benefits that a fully networked key management system can bring to dealerships in terms of improved staff productivity and additional security. Those dealers who have already made the move are generating rewarding returns which are leaving their competitors playing catch up."

Dealerships are focused on delivering better customer experience inside dealerships; as well as on launching and improving websites and exploring multi-channel communications to keep in touch with customers and keep them up to date.

Specific findings were: •   Nearly half (45%) are focused in 2011 on improving their web presence and engaging more proactively with customers through multiple communications channels including email, text and web chat •   More than half (55%) are primarily focused on improving the customer experience in the dealership itself •   83% have invested in new computerised workshop diagnostics equipment in 2010 and nearly half of council members (47%) questioned said this focus was corsa set to continue in 2011 •   The group was divided evenly on whether IT spend would increase in 2011 – 50% said that IT budgets would remain the same as last year, whilst the other half expected  IT budgets to rise by up to 20%.

A probe into existing Dealer Management Systems (DMS) found more than two thirds (69%) of dealer principals were not satisfied by the speed of their existing DMS vendor's reaction to requests for changes and additions to their systems. •   A further 17% expressed a desire for better integration between the DMS and other IT applications. •   One in five (20%) respondents specifically requested DMS integration with an electronic key management system in the future.

Paul Smith, managing director, iB Management Solutions, summarised the findings: "There are some very interesting findings here from the leaders of the UK dealership world. It is clear that the focus lies firmly on working harder to impress and gain the loyalty of customers.  IT systems, including networked key management systems, will definitely deliver some of the much-needed customer experience improvements that dealer bosses are looking for."

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Notes to editors: Results quoted in this release are based on analysis of findings from completed paper-based questionnaires circulated to all 15 attendees of AM's Dealer Council meeting held on 25th November 2010.

Using iB's eTag system, when a car arrives at a dealership, details are entered onto the eTag system via a PC and the keys are allocated an intelligent fob (iFob) which identifies the car.  Vehicle movements are monitored when the key is taken or returned to and from the cabinet.  Specific slots can be allocated in the cabinet to indicate specific areas within the dealership, such as the showroom or workshop to track the physical vehicle location.

As well as reducing car and key theft, using eTag also saves valuable time and money which is wasted searching for keys and location of vehicles: a che acura ck on the eTag system shows dealer employees exactly who has the keys and the current location of the vehicle.  Inter-dealer car transfers are also simplified through networking eTag systems together, eliminating duplication of data entry and paperwork on arrival at a dealer site.

About iB Management Solutions iB Management Solutions is an expert provider of end-to-end key management solutions and other systems for automotive dealerships.  iB Management Solutions' eTag Key Management System offers audi networked key management solutions to 40 per cent of the Mercedes-Benz network and 30 per cent of the BMW network in the UK. Customers include Porsche Retail Group, Mercedes-Benz Retail, BMW Park Lane, Essex Auto Group and Sytner Group.

For more information about iB Management Solutions, please contact: Paul Smith, Managing Director, iB Management Solutions Limited Tel: 0845 2255183.  Email: psmith@contactib.com www.contactib.com

For all iB Management Solutions media enquiries, please contact: Miles Clayton / Simon Bennett, Agility PR Limited Tel: 01992 586 190.  Email: miles@agilitypr.co.uk/simon@agilitypr.co.uk

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