D-LINK offers ACURA dealership handheld efficiency

Wi-Fi® Solution from D-Link Gives Service Advisors Computer Access at Vehicle, Boosts Efficiency by 15%.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif.— Scanlon Acura recognized that in today’s market, the service consultant is increasingly becoming the key to retaining customers that are the core of the dealership’s business. The Fort Meyers, Fla. dealership believes that the best location for service consultants is at the vehicle with their customers – listening, questioning, investigating, confirming and selling.

Service and Parts Director Jim Weems knew he needed a portable wireless solution to keep his consultants with their customers alongside their vehicles. If service technicians had the ability to access vehicle history and warranty information, they could minimize redundant administrative work and increase revenues by up-selling additional service and safety options.

Weems turned to Chris Mejia of Universal Computer Systems, Inc. (UCS), an authorized D-Link reseller based in Houston, who proposed his company’s HRO software and tablet PCs working in a D-Link-powered wireless network environment.

“With a standard PC setup, the Scanlon Acura service consultant would have to make notes on paper, then go inside to their workstation to access data,” said Mejia. “With the new solution, this obstacle has been eliminated. At present they can stand alongside the customer to accomplish these tasks.”

“Now, as customers arrive on the service drive, Scanlon’s service consultants are ready with their tablet PCs and D-Link’s Wi-Fi®-enabled system to access complete customer, vehicle and service history information in a matter of seconds. Repair orders are started before the customer gets out of the car.”

“It is a powerful tool that gives the service technicians direct access to vital information that allows them to offer additional services, including warranty services, recall notices, maintenance services, extended warranties, and the ability to notify customers of safety issues,” Mejia said.

“D-Link’s Wi-Fi system has given us a huge advantage over our competitors. At many other dealerships, the service technicians have to perform these tasks at their desks while the customer waits. Instead, our people are right there at the vehicle at time of the write-up,” added Weems.

“The consultant’s work is more dynamic and accurate because they enter repair orders into the computer system without delays and without leaving the customer’s side. Customers can approve work immediately, before they leave the dealership, and we can begin repairs right away,” he said.

“This increases overall productivity and profits, while delivering a high level of customer service. Having wireless capabilities has proven to be a big plus for us, with our efficiency increasing about 15 percent since the wireless system was installed,” said Weems.