Autofinity has launched a new solution, dubbed Feeds Agent, to allow dealers to integrate supplier systems, dealer management system and online marketing channels to its stock inventory management system.
The tool will allow a single overview of each vehicle, including courtesy and employee cars, pipeline stock, and new cars.
Chris Banks, chief solutions officer at Autofinity, said: “Dealer groups run multiple applications in their businesses to meet specific daily task requirements, there has never been one system that can deliver the gold standard demanded which individual suppliers have achieved in specialist areas.
“As a result, dealers rely on a multitude of applications to operate their businesses. These often lack integration and automated updates with their bespoke inventory management system resulting in double keying and information disparity including pricing.
“We developed Feeds Agent to address this need for the smooth flow of stock through multiple systems thereby enabling tailormade platforms the highest levels of automation. Such further system enhancement and process automation includes once-only vehicle price updates thereby eliminating the need for repeated manual changes in different systems.”
On a stock holding of 2,000 vehicles, dealer groups with multiple OEMs and internal systems which require integration are spending up to £100k per year double-checking and fixing online vehicle listings often performed by sales managers.
Feeds Agent allows vehicle upload to the group website, manufacturer websites and online marketing channels such as Auto Trader and carwow.
The tool pools vehicle data from disconnected sources to provide one source of information.
Dealer group employees can update information in the inventory system and Feeds Agent uploads to all other connected systems.
Groups can implement their own ‘rules’ such as flagging up vehicles with mileage issues or lack of images which can be addressed before a vehicle is put live on marketing channels.