Software Release: Nowcom Launches Web-based DMS Software

If there’s one thing that worries dealers more than anything else is what’s going on at the store when they aren’t there. Today’s technology can give dealers a window on the store so that can look up all the details of who is working and what’s happening in terms of sales, follow-up and all aspects of the operation from anywhere they have Internet connection.

Nowcom, a provider of dealer management solutions, recently released a Web-based DMS, DealerCenter 7, to do just that. Building on the solid foundation of its Dealer Desktop program, the new system provides far more features, a streamlined user experience, easier accessibility and, of vital importance today, security enhancements.

“Nowcom’s primary goal has always been to allow its users to run their entire operation from a single application, DealerCenter 7 continues to allow us to achieve that goal,” said Rufus Hankey, president of Nowcom.

“Moving to a Web-based application will make us much more agile as a company and allow us to develop and release new products and services in step with the demands of a rapidly growing user

base.”

Miguel Jurado, director of Dealer Services for Nowcom, said that this new solution came after months of meeting with its dealer customers to fully tailor a system that is intuitive for dealers and they can put to use with minimal training.

“Time and again, our users had requested the ability to access their information remotely,” Jurado said. “DealerCenter 7 users can run their entire store anywhere they have an Internet connection. Because we host the data on our servers, our customers will never have to worry about losing their data due to a failed backup or crashed computer. DealerCenter 7 also provides its users with unlimited document storage at no additional cost.”

Document storage requirements by state and federal agencies can be a costly mandate to dealers, so the unlimited storage feature, is something dealers can get their arms around right away, Jurado added.

Upgrades to this new system have been ongoing for more than eight months. In addition to writing dealer-friendly code, the company has upgraded its server capacity and improved its Internet connectivity for the influx of new and existing dealers it expects to use the new software. Servers are located in both Texas and California for maximum reliability, security and back-up, Jurado said.

New features to DealerCenter 7 include inventory management with vehicle history reports by AutoCheck and booking services by Kelley Blue Book, NADA Guides and Black Book as well as customer management with access to credit reports from Experian and TransUnion.

DealerCenter 7 also features a full F&I suite in which users can maintain their BHPH accounts and print plain paper contracts and forms by Wolters Kluwer Bankers Systems. Additionally, users can manage their online advertising through integrations with Autotrader.com, Cars.com, and Nowcom’s popular custom dealer Web sites.

Nearly the entire user-interface on the Web will remain identical to the existing PC-based system, so outside of the new features and enhancements, dealers and their staffs will not have to undergo extensive training.

“If they’ve been on Dealer Desktop the transition to Dealer Center 7 will be minimal,” Jurado said. “They’ll be able to hit the ground running and not have to slow down a bit.”

Behind the scenes of the new technology is the use the latest software, which improves performance significantly. Even those the software sits on the Web, in most instances, it will be faster and more stable than if it were on the dealer’s hard drive.

Nowcom is currently migrating Dealer Desktop users to DealerCenter 7 and they will continue to offer training and support to Dealer Desktop through the end

of the year. New dealers can sign up for a 30-day free trial at www.dealercenter.net