Car dealerships are just one businesses that can profit from CRM software for the automotive industry education and training. This customer relationship software can enhance your business services tremendously. By becoming a skillful user of all its features and benefits, you can offer services that go above and beyond that of your competitors.

Training for CRM automotive industry software comes in many formats including tutorials, webinars, online classes, onsite seminars and more. No matter how long you have been in the automotive business, you should always endeavor to enhance your customer service skills. Consider the following when searching for automotive CRM software:

1. Compare and contrast all features of CRM software options and pick one that offers what your business needs specifically.

2. Make ongoing training a requirement for you and your employees so you always offer your client the best service.

3. Consider an automotive CRM software free trial before you purchase the product.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look to the CRM in automotive industry software creators for the best training

Companies that create CRM software for the automotive industry usually provide the best training opportunities. In most cases you have the option to train on site, or at a location set up by the developer. Try and pick a resource that also offers online support that is readily available and reliable.

I recommend: Automotive Compass offers support services that include private on-site presentations and strategy reviews. Terrasoft CRM Software features a training center that incorporates both online and assisted practical training.

Learn car industry CRM software using online tutorials, courses and step-by-step guides

Online training has come a long way. There are a plethora of online classes and instructional training guides on automotive CRM software. Try and find a few websites you and your employees can visit regularly to get updated advice and tips.

I recommend: ManageEngine offers a variety of training opportunities in multiple formats, including onsite, online and customized packages. In addition to onsite training courses, Vormittag Associates also offers online training programs with an agenda that can be customized to match your business's needs.

Ask industry peers and professionals for tips and tricks for CRM car industry software

The internet is also a great resource for learning methods, advice and tips for automotive CRM software by fellow business people. This training is readily available and industry professionals are usually more that willing to share their knowledge.

I recommend: Salesboom offers business CRM training and support that includes training classes and “A Day in the Life” CRM tutorials. Soleran, maker of eSalesTrack.com, offers an open source CRM solution that allows you to customize your version of the program with its modules.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider joining a forum on one of your auto dealer CRM software training sites so you can discuss industry topics with fellow automotive professionals.

Many industry experts are recognizing the need for customer relationship management in the automotive industry. In fact, the need may be greater than in many other sectors, because with so many vehicles on the market, distinguishing your company may come down to how well you interact with current and potential customers. Automotive CRM software can help you better identify car buyers' needs, and make them feel like your products are relevant to their lifestyles.

CRM in the automotive industry is designed to:

1. Analyze car buyers' purchasing decisions.
   
2. Identify drivers' usage and needs through auto dealer CRM.
3. Integrate the sales, service and finance activity of current customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Manage customer relationships and other business tasks

Some providers integrate CRM automotive software into business management software that includes accounting, manufacturing, subcontracting and supplier management. Using an integrated system allows you to more efficiently manage all aspects of your company. It also helps you stay on top of the automobile industry's aggressive and rapidly changing product development cycle.

I recommend: Microsoft Dynamics offers business management software designed specifically for automotive suppliers. It integrates CRM with general business management tasks, helping suppliers better meet the needs of automotive manufacturers.

Find automotive CRM software designed for small businesses

Major auto manufacturers have a wealth of tools and technology to provide them better insight into their customer base. This is key to the development of new vehicles, but other, smaller segments of the automotive industry can benefit just as much from implementing CRM automotive software. Through CRM for the automotive industry, even small businesses can be as advanced and competitive as the large manufacturers.

I recommend: Salesboom offers two versions of its automotive CRM software: an auto dealer CRM version, for both new and used dealers, and a version for automotive parts suppliers. It's on-demand software, which means you can instantly download and use it, without expensive installation and implementation.

Consider general CRM software solutions

There aren't as many automotive CRM solutions as there are for other industries. However, there are plenty of general-use CRM software programs, which may be sufficient for your company.

I recommend: Salesforce, ACT!, and NetSuite are CRM software programs that are popular across several industries.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  CRM in the automotive industry can help you integrate customer relationship and marketing, by taking the information you collect through automotive CRM software programs and using it to develop a marketing campaign through the use of marketing automation software. With this approach, you can use your automotive CRM tool to more effectively target potential customers and automate your direct mail, email and other marketing efforts.
• •  For the most effective use of your CRM software, track customer habits from their initial contact, not just after you make the sale. Because each buyer makes buying decisions differently, it's helpful to analyze their purchasing decisions and then follow up with information about their experience owning the car through CRM for the automotive industry.

CRM software allows an automotive company to track its contacts with its customers. The user can enter, access and store customer data, which employees in other department may then access. Car dealerships use CRM software to monitor and forecast sales, manage sales leads and provide enterprise level reporting for dealer groups. Automotive CRM software assists car loan companies by tracking its customers' car loan applications. Car repair centers may use CRM software to track the service history of their customers' cars.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Lead management

Lead management is an essential component of CRM software for automotive businesses. It allows a dealer to make sales calls, send photos and videos of cars to customers and track customer responses.

I recommend: VinSolutions explains CRM software with lead management, and details features of its lead management software applications that are used to send automated responses to potential customers with specific information on vehicles.

Sales force automation (SFA)

SFA refers to the automation of sales activities, such as contact management and activity management. SFA software is usually a part of the customer service applications in a CRM implementation for the auto industry.

I recommend: CRM Landmark provides independent information on CRM and provides the functions of specific CRM components, such as SFA.

Open source CRM

Open source CRM is CRM software that has public source code. This type of CRM software may be used and modified by anyone for free, including auto industry businesses.

I recommend: Elite CRM Software provides a definition and discussion of open source CRM, including its pros and cons.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software

ERP software manages all of the information resources for an entire company and is used by auto industry businesses. This type of software is commonly integrated with CRM software.

I recommend: InnoVergent provides a glossary of CRM terms, including ERP. This company provides systems implementation and consulting services for small to medium businesses.

Sales process integration

Sales process integration is the procedure by which sales functions are gradually performed by CRM software. This typically includes activities in the auto industry such as sales forecasting, customer responses and inventory management.

I recommend: CRM Software-Reviews explains sales process integration and discusses the importance of developing a scalable and repeatable sales process before attempting to integrate it into the CRM.

Business process reengineering (BPR)

BPR is the process of modifying an organization's business processes. This is typically a necessary step prior to implementing a CRM project for all companies, including auto industry businesses.

I recommend: Online-crm.com provides an extensive glossary of terms associated with CRM. It provides a more complete definition of BPR as it pertains to CRM, and includes the general phases of BPR.

Automotive CRM software, or customer relationship management software, helps dealers maintain good standing with their clients throughout the long life cycle of a car. Some dealers think they have the customer angle covered with dealer inventory management software, but that's not the case - inventory software tracks parts, not people. Though inventory software can help you give better service, it does not record how you've reached out to your customers, or when they've contacted you.

Good automotive CRM software pays for itself. Happy customers frequent their dealer for repairs and subsequent car purchases. Implementing car industry CRM software, however, is no walk in the park. Once you choose the right program, you'll need to get staff buy-in to make it work. You'll also need to manage the technical aspects. Here are some CRM software for the automotive industry news and trends that can help you get it done:

1. News outlets that follow trends in car deal CRM.

2. Product reviews and buyer guides to help you find the right automotive CRM solutions for your business.

3. CRM software forums where experts and fellow users can recommend best practices and troubleshoot.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read news targeted to automotive CRM

Though there are endless resources that discuss CRM software and practices in general, there are only a few that target their coverage to automotive CRM. You can find trend pieces and reports on major happenings in auto CRM in business, automotive and CRM news outlets.

I recommend: DestinationCRM.com has a feed of news stories on CRM in the automotive industry, as well as an auto CRM blog. Dealer Marketing Magazine has good information for auto dealers on the importance of using CRM to generate leads and prevent customers from drifting away. Auto Dealer Monthly has a CRM category that lets you cut straight to its stories on the topic.

Get CRM comparisons to find the best software program for your dealership

It's important to stay on top of developments in auto CRM programs so you know what features to look for when choosing a software solution. Of course, you'll also want to read the latest product reviews to get an independent perspective on usability.

I recommend: DealerRefresh has a great blog that reviews auto CRM software products and makes recommendations. The National Automobile Dealer's Association publishes a buyer's guide to help dealers choose CRM products.

Check out forums to learn how your peers use CRM in automotive industry practices

As you're implementing and running CRM software, you're bound to run into challenges, whether they involve getting staff buy-in or just making sure the program functions properly. To ask questions and get opinions from your peers in the auto dealer industry, you can turn to CRM forums.

I recommend: Microsoft Dynamics, which makes an auto CRM product, has a user community that includes forums and blogs. CarDealerForums.com has active discussions on auto CRM software.