DP Solutions, Inc.

Lonestar Truck Group Improves Business Oversight and Gains New Analytical Skills with MinePoint Software

Elizabeth Miller — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:40:50 +0000

The Problem: Lonestar Truck Group outgrew its Business Management Software’s Reporting Ability

In 2003, Lonestar Truck Group found that their business needs were rapidly outgrowing their business management software’s reporting and analytic abilities. Lonestar’s problem was common. Heavy-Duty dealerships are a highly transactional, thin-market business. Dan Stevens, Lonestar Truck Group’s Dealer Principal, put the problem into perspective. “There’s a lot of discipline involved in running truck dealerships, and all the money that you’ve earned transitionally you can lose in the backend of the business … through bad receivables, parts obsolescence, in-appropriate ordering, old repair orders that haven’t been closed … all of those sorts of things.” Lonestar needed a way to keep focus and track those problems. After evaluating different software solutions, Lonestar’s managers realized that they would need a strategic software partner as they went into the future, so they turned to DP Solutions and MinePoint.

The Solution: Lonestar Truck Group Selects DP Solutions and MinePoint Software

Lonestar Truck Group quickly found that one of the major benefits of using MinePoint software is increased visibility to items that can be difficult to find and analyze in traditional dealership management systems (DMS). “Truck dealers deal in sales, gross profit, expenses, receivables, and inventories. Those are the five things that our lives revolve around constantly,” Stevens says. “So what you need is really good visibility of those items. Because the business is so transactional, you have to manage by exception so you can see what’s not going right. The exceptions lead you to a breakdown of the processes somewhere in the business, so we use MinePoint to keep a focus on every one of those items.” In discussing management by exception, Stevens returns to one specific case … parts obsolescence. “From the dashboard I can look at the obsolescence balance, he says. If I don’t like the value, I can open the cube to the obsolete inventory detail. With a second click of the mouse, I can select a specific vendor or source of those old parts. With a third and final click I can print off the detail of those parts and I have created an obsolescence return with 3 clicks of the mouse.” According to Stevens, cash receivables are also difficult to keep track of in most DMS’s. But with MinePoint, tracking receivables becomes easier. “MinePoint tells me when a cash ticket has been open three days or more. By definition, a cash ticket should be just that. You produce the ticket, you collect the cash, and that’s the end of the transaction. But we deliver parts sometimes, we pick up checks, and whatever the circumstance, if that ticket has been open for three days I have MinePoint defaulted to let me know so I can follow up on the status of that ticket. Receivables are critical … if you don’t know who owes you and how long they’ve owed you; you’re going to run out of cash. With MinePoint, you can be alerted when a receivable hits a certain age. I can look at the dashboard and see what my balance is. With one click of the mouse, I can see the detail of the aging, and decide what needs attention.” Analysis is another benefit of using the MinePoint software, according to Stevens. MinePoint’s analytic tools help Stevens work backwards in cases where a business process has broken down. It allows him to guide his team to address specifics and helps boost their efficiency, as well as his own. “Let’s say you’re looking at sales for the month, and you think the sales aren’t all that they should be. I can open a cube in MinePoint, and I can rank my customer sales high to low. I can put different time periods side-by-side. So I can look at the previous six months of what that customer purchased versus the current six months, and I can see if his purchasing trend is up or down. So in working in the cube, I can quickly come up with a list for my sales people to target to see if they can regain or even increase the sales over the previous level. I can also go into an individual customer profile and compare what he previously purchased to what he currently purchased by specific product, not just by dollars. For instance, I may determine that he was previously purchasing brake shoes from me, and now he isn’t. So I can direct the salesman to go to this customer and find out why we lost his brake shoe business. We’re able to be that specific with the software.” And Stevens stresses that the benefits are just as good with labor sales and labor margins. “You can say, ‘Well my labor margin is low. Why? Which ticket or tickets are responsible for that?’ I can work my way back to the broken process. Is it a certain service writer who always writes the labor down resulting in low gross profits? Or something else?”

The Result: Long-Term Success with MinePoint and Positive Future Ahead for the Lonestar Truck Group and DP Solutions

Having achieved long-term success with MinePoint and other notable successes with additional DP Solutions products, Stevens says that MinePoint, “is the best analytical product that [he’s] ever worked with,” after almost 40 years in the business. “We’ve got an excellent working relationship with DP. We have learned a lot about how software development works, and DP has learned a lot about the truck dealership business. That collaboration has resulted in continuous improvement of the MinePoint product.” So the final question is at hand. Would Stevens recommend DP Solutions and MinePoint to other dealerships? “I have recommended MinePoint and DP Solutions to a lot of dealers and continue to do so today. We are often involved directly with Bruce Love, the owner of DP, on development opportunities, and his support staff does a good job for us.”

DP Solutions, Inc. Releases UptimePro v. 13.2.8 to Customers

Elizabeth Miller — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 01:29:00 +0000

Since this article was published, we have added more clients to the release list. We will continue to add to the list until all clients have been updated. The new release of UptimePro offers several enhancements that extend the highly rated platform We are happy to announce that the newest release our service shop software, UptimePro, is ready and being circulated to partner dealerships within the Daimler Trucks of North America (DTNA) network. UptimePro offers dealerships a whole new approach to the way they connect with customers and provide exceptional customer support. UptimePro is the industry’s leading service shop management and technician scheduling tool, and it drives communication with customers, connects dealerships to fellow dealers within the DTNA network, improves department-to-department interactions within the dealership. “UptimePro continues to empower our customers and partners by clearly demonstrating ROI in their service shops and on their front counters.” says Bruce Love, President of DP Solutions, Inc. “We’re excited to be able to provide the new release to our customers, and are working quickly to get dealerships integrated with the new release.” DP Solutions published UptimePro release 13.2.28 on March 1^st, 2013. Since then, DP Solutions has upgraded 21 of the 40 clients currently on UptimePro. Congratulations to the following clients who are now on Release 13.2.28:

ATC Freightliner – Steve Silcox
Atlantic Ford Truck Sales – Philip Maas
Empire Stribling - Bob Bullard
Campbell Freightliner - John Craft
First Truck Centre – Gerald Tocher
Floyd’s Truck Center – Sid Johnston and Randy Smith
Freightliner of Manitoba – Sharon Yourchenko
Freightliner of Red Deer – Chris Wescott
Freightliner of San Antonio – Bert Morris
IState Truck Center – Jim Williams and Carson Scheuffele
Lonestar Truck Group - Mike Payne
North Jersey Truck Center – Jason DeRosa
Peach State Truck Centers – Charles Taylor and Joe Ross
Omaha Truck Center, Inc. - Mike Carberry
Stoops Freightliner – Mike Miller
TAG Truck Center - Chad Lucky
TRL Truck Center - Adam Arrington
Truck Centers, Inc. – Steve Spihlman
Warner Truck Center – Matt Tripp and Merrett Powers
Virginia Truck Center, Inc. - Scott Witt
Young Truck Sales, Inc. - Jeff Powers

The remaining dealerships will be updated to the new release in the coming weeks.

It’s Not a Heart Transplant: Interview with the Kenworth Sales Vernal Staff, During the VIBE Implementation

Elizabeth Miller — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:55:01 +0000

“The week went good. I expected bad, but it was good,” says Sarah Pia, Service Writer from Kenworth Sales Company in Vernal Utah, during an interview with DP Solutions President, Bruce Love. Kenworth Sales Company is working with DP Solutions as a strategic partner, and is implementing the VIBE as their business management software. As a Dealership Management System (DMS), VIBE handles work orders, tech stories and customer info, as well as customer contacts, and estimating. It integrates everything, and gives service technicians, service writers, and parts and service managers easy access to information dealership information. Love had the opportunity to speak with several team members about the transition while training the Vernal team on VIBE. The cut-over went smoothly, and Vernal’s team could not be happier. To listen to the interviews, click the links below. Kenworth Sales Company - Vernal Interview 1 Kenworth Sales Company - Vernal Interview 2 Kenworth Sales Company - Vernal Interview 3 Kenworth Sales Company - Vernal Interview 4 Kenworth Sales Company - Vernal Interview 5 Kenworth Sales Company - Vernal Interview 6

Kenworth Sales Company Finds Improved Business Management with VIBE Software

Elizabeth Miller — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:52:57 +0000

The Problem: Kenworth Sales Outgrows their Business Management Software

In 2011, Kenworth Sales Company found that their business was growing rapidly. So rapidly, in fact, that their growth quickly outpaced the capabilities of the DMS that they used to run the business. Kenworth’s predicament was unique. They designed their own DMS, but the development for and maintenance of the system was requiring too much of their programmers’ time. Mike McKay, Kenworth Sales Corporate Parts Director, remembers the struggle with the software well. “Our business system was older technology, homegrown, and started by our own internal development team in 1979. What we were struggling with most was access to information and getting information out. It took full intervention from the IT department to get out any kind of customer reporting or anything you wanted to look at.” The Kenworth management team had a decision to make. Re-invest in the DMS and apply additional in-house resources to overhaul the system, or outsource the development to a 3^rd party company. After evaluating several business systems, Kenworth’s managers realized that their DMS needs weren’t going to be met by traditional market solutions.

The Solution: Kenworth Sales Selects a Strategic Partner

“We’ve been working with DP Solutions [since 2003] using their MinePoint and ServicePoint programs,” McKay said. “We really liked those two products and where they are heading. And when they decided to add on a full DMS, it naturally made sense.” McKay has been candid about the benefits of using VIBE. “The biggest thing that we’ve gained with this is the ability to look at any business transaction that we do on a daily basis. It’s not hidden anymore.” McKay is referring to company invoices. With other DMS systems, the invoices don’t come in until the end of the month. With VIBE, McKay has access to them the same day they are put in the system. It’s a documentable benefit of using the software. “It’s definitely helped us internally with our own process flow. I have certain things that we have to do manually right now out of our old business system that are being developed to do electronically in VIBE that could, essentially, move five people to different aspects of the business and could [re-route] their time. That’s a 200,000 dollars a year savings just in one aspect.” And McKay has found other benefits with Kenworth’s VIBE implementation. Many dealerships have office managers at every branch to monitor and take care of day-to-day accounts payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) work. Before VIBE, Kenworth Sales had to have these managers because the DMS was branch driven and was difficult to access at a corporate level. “It was easy to mangle. It required a different sign on/sign off for every branch in order to work remotely. It didn’t compile data, we had no uniform customer base, and we had no uniform vendor database, so everything was controlled at a local branch level. By implementing VIBE, we’ve been able to roll from 10 people essentially working on AP at 10 different branches, to one person doing the work for all five branches. Correspondingly, I have two people doing all five branches’ AR and credit collections, where previously it was a shared duty of those 10 people.” McKay admits there is a lot of paperwork that goes with truck buying. Having all forms available electronically benefits the sales, parts, and service managers. And it also benefits the customers. “We used to require the customer do a credit application for every one of our locations because we couldn’t share it across the database. Now, the customer has one account, and it’s open to all locations. So I think from a customer relations standpoint, VIBE can’t do anything but help our customers’ view of us and our business.”

The Result: A Successful Implementation and Positive Future Ahead for the Kenworth Sales Company

An exciting future looms ahead for VIBE and DP Solutions according to McKay. “[DP has] several products in development that I think the future is extremely bright on, not just from a paperless environmental type standpoint, but from a day-to-day business one. We’ll be able to integrate ourselves more with our customers. I can’t wait to get hold of them … I’ve dabbled in other systems, and the only one in my opinion that even comes close to current technology is the one they are developing.” So knowing the positive effects that VIBE is already having for Kenworth Sales Company, the inevitable question ensues. Would McKay suggest VIBE to other dealerships? “Yeah. Without reservation. What are we a 67 year old company now? And we still have a lot of ultra-conservative attitudes to technology and things, and through some of this current technology, VIBE is forcing the powers-that-be into looking into alternative methods of conducting our day-to-day business. It’s bringing us into the 21st century.”

DP Solutions and Daimler Trucks of North America Hold Forum for new Service Shop Software

Elizabeth Miller — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 03:14:19 +0000

Lufkin, TX – November, 2012 – DP Solutions, Inc., in collaboration with Daimler Trucks of North America (DTNA), held their first UptimePro Forum in November. The forum consisted of voluntary open discussion for attendees that arrived early, and was followed by a networking dinner. With help from Dan Stevens, Lonestar Truck Group Partner and strong supporter of UptimePro, the main forum discussion was held at The Lonestar Truck Group’s meeting facilities in Grapevine, TX. Forty representatives from twenty-two dealerships were in attendance, as well as four representatives from DP Solutions, including Bruce Love. Thursday was kicked-off with opening comments from Dan Stevens and Bob Correll, DTNA's General Manager of Central Service. Then the group took an in-depth look at UptimePro enhancements, the DP Solutions product track and development schedule and then reviewed suggested items submitted by the dealer body and training needs and ideas. Best practices were continuously gathered and shared via attendees throughout the meeting. Jim Pennington, General Manager of Truck Centers, Inc., stated, "the interaction with DP Solutions and seeing what was occurring with the new release was a big plus. The Q&A session directly with Bruce and the DP team and seeing answers live on the system was beneficial. When the next one is scheduled, we will definitely send representation." For more information about attending future forums, contact Michelle Powell, Communications Coordinator with Daimler Trucks of North America at (313) 592-5055 or michelle.powell@daimler.com ----- About DP Solutions: Founded in 1988, DP Solutions, Inc. is a managed services provider serving small to mid-sized businesses. Through expert planning, management and support, DP Solutions, Inc. has become a trusted Dealership Management Software provider and IT partner for leading organizations in a variety of industries. From strategy, development, and maintenance to around-the-clock response, DP Solutions, Inc. keeps your software and network safe, efficient and effective. Our goal: to boost your growth and productivity with smart, hassle-free business management software and IT solutions. (www.dpsol.com) Contact Elizabeth Miller Marketing Coordinator (936) 631 - 3105 emiller@dpsol.com Download a PDF copy of this press release.

Lonestar Truck Group Touts SalesPoint as “The Way We Do Business”

Elizabeth Miller — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:23:53 +0000

There’s a vast difference between needs of salesmen in car dealerships and those in commercial truck dealerships. It seems that most customer relationship management (CRM) tools don’t take those differences into account. At least that’s what Ron Champion, 42 year heavy-duty truck sales veteran and former Vice President of Sales for Lonestar Truck Group, believes. Today there are many generic systems and CRM vendors available for industry salesmen who want to streamline sales processes and increase efficiency. But according to Champion, SalesPoint is the only one that works for the truck salesmen. “Having been in trucks my entire career and all my life, I have filled out numerous databases with information on customer contacts for various systems—like ACT and Goldmine. All of the systems I’ve ever seen [dealerships] use are car systems. They try to modify with whiteout the word car and put the word truck in it, but they don’t have a clue about diesel emission fees, or bridge laws and fees, Federal Excise Tax (FET) tire credits, and other credits you pay on the body and parts. The system has to have all of these flexibilities and possibilities built into it. It’s built to make a truck deal. It’s not a recording system of a transaction, which is all everything I’ve ever seen is. You don’t get paid to record a transaction; you get paid to sell a truck. So any CRM system that a heavy-duty truck salesman uses, must help him sell a truck and not make mistakes.” According to Champion, SalesPoint is the only software system on the market that can actually do that. As a salesman, databases were a one way street for Champion. There was no reward and no return on the investment of his time with early databases as they weren’t designed for what truck salesmen were doing. Most of the systems today aren’t either. “So all my career, I was hopeful and searching one way or another for a system to assist me in selling a truck and being more professional in that effort. When I joined Lonestar Truck Group, they were in the early stages of building their own system. One of the first things they had me work on was this project.” While Lonestar’s system, called Dealmaker, was strong in regard to housing pictures and specs, creating quotes, tracking inventory, and finance and insurance management (F&I), it was only a pilot program during its lifespan. Dealmaker lacked capabilities where actual management of customer relationships were concerned. And that’s when Lonestar decided to partner with DP Solutions, helping DP create an entirely new product that was equally strong in both quoting and CRM. “We built a system that has a culture around it. That allows the salesman to sell a truck. So instead of having a [writing] tablet, yellow pad, post-it note, little black book—you know every salesman has a system to do business—you have SalesPoint. The age old problem for truck salesman is committing to more than you can deliver, and a large part of that is because [most salesmen] don’t have a system of reminders and follow-ups in place. They drop the ball, and it appears that they’re not interested [in the client or deal] because of that.” SalesPoint was designed with the modern salesman in mind. The software is entirely on-demand and is accessed via the web. In the system, when a salesman has an interested buyer, he can quickly access the exact cost of the truck. He can build a quote without picking up a calculator. SalesPoint has all the taxes, fees, and credits built in, making it easier for salesmen to calculate gross profit and commission in the system. The CRM portion has the contact’s name, address, phone number, email address, etc., and with the click of a mouse, that information can be added to a quote. There’s no typing, and no mis-management or loss of information. No writing a VIN number six times, which Champion tells he had to do on every form for every truck in one of his earlier positions. “Sometimes a truck driver will say ‘I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll give you Z for the truck—all included, tax, title, license, drive-out, I want a toolbox on it, and to pay off my trade. I’ll give you Z for the entire package, take it or leave it.’ So as a salesman, when everything changes and is a percent of something else, it’s difficult. I’ll tell you, the first time I had a transaction like that in my career it took me literally two days and two pads of yellow paper to figure it out, and once I did, I wrote a good precise one page list of formulas, and I kept that probably for 15 years. That’s what’s built into SalesPoint.” This, according to Champion, is a fundamental change for managers. It gives the Salesman ammunition to make the sale right in front of you instead of having to seek out a manager. “We were using dealmaker every day for five years, prior to SalesPoint. SalesPoint is an upgrade from dealmaker. It’s just the way Lonestar does business. DP Solutions has the only, built for trucks, total package system on the market. It is a culture change for someone that’s never had a system like that. You have to enforce it. Unless management says that all deals are getting turned in through SalesPoint and that they won’t accept a deal on a yellow pad anymore, then salesmen will, in the heat of battle, go back to their old ways.” Mobility is one of the key features that DP Solutions has brought to the table. “Car salesmen sit in the store and wait for someone to walk in. If a truck customer walks in the front door, he’s usually not a buyer. Because if [an owner] is busy, running, and needs equipment, he doesn’t have time to come into the dealership and kick tires and talk trucks,” Champion says. “So you have to travel out, have the information with you, maybe even drive the truck out there, and you call on him at his business. And you make your deal at his business. And you deliver the truck to his business, and you pick up the trade at his business and drive it home. Salesmen need a system that’s web based. Which SalesPoint is.”

SalesPoint revolutionizes the CRM for truckers, and DP Solutions excels at customer service

Champion is emphatic about all of SalesPoint’s features. It increases the credibility and efficiency of both salesmen and the dealership. So, with this new software and the inevitable lifestyle change that Lonestar Truck Group had to undergo to begin using it effectively, how has DP Solutions helped effect the transition? “DP Solutions assigned us a programmer. He’s our main contact, and when our hair’s on fire, we have his cell and office number, and we have direct communication with him about 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We need that. That’s how a lot of truck dealerships function. So we need system support 24/7. And DP has always met our expectations there ... It’s not one of those situations where you call customer service and never get the same person twice, and you have to tell your story over and over again. That’s not the case with DP Solutions. They’re an excellent partner. And you do need a partner. You don’t need a package that you buy at some store, and then you’re on your own when you get it home. You don’t get an automated system, dial 1 for this and 2 for that, and we’ll call you back after 48 – 72 hours. DP Solutions is readily available and understands the need to be readily available.” With Lonestar’s expertise and guidance and DP Solutions’ experience, Ron is certain that SalesPoint is a winner. “Nobody has anything near SalesPoint in the heavy-duty truck market. I've worked for a lot of successful companies. SalesPoint can revolutionize the truck sales industry.”

Lonestar Truck Group Maximizes Sales Efficiency with SalesPoint Software

Elizabeth Miller — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:11:11 +0000

Today there are a seemingly unlimited number of generic CRM systems and vendors available for salesmen who want to streamline sales processes. For the heavy-duty truck industry, these solutions don't offer features for every day use needed by a truck salesmen. At least not according to Lonestar Truck Group Finance Manager, Greg Wheeler. Wheeler has used several sales solutions over the years, including one that was company owned and operated. But Lonestar didn't have the resources needed to support the system and market, and the software fell flat. So Lonestar Truck Group turned to a strategic partner, and SalesPoint was born. “We have a long history with DP Solutions. We’ve used MinePoint, ServicePoint, and UptimePro, these products have assisted our dealership for some time. When thinking of working with someone to develop a CRM system, we thought the best fit would be someone who was already developing products for the heavy-duty truck industry, and so we began working with DP on SalesPoint.” And Wheeler is happy with the selection. “I think that the continued development towards a single company providing these solutions makes sense. We felt like working with DP would be better with SalesPoint, and their access to truck dealerships would help us really carry forward this vision. I feel that a product like SalesPoint, for it to really be effective, needs to be something that is in several truck dealerships, and so we felt that DP Solutions was a good partner going forward.” So what makes SalesPoint different from all the other CRM systems that are popular in the business market in general? Ease-of-use and industry specificity come to mind. “You know the whole idea behind SalesPoint was that it would provide what we were looking for, which is a secure, centralized, confidential online portal where our truck salesmen have access to a customer relationship database—something that we can manage and use for marketing purposes. We wanted [a system] that would help us improve productivity of our sales staff. It integrates with our Dealership Management System (DMS) and passes information about truck and trailer inventory to our website. We use it for quoting, for credit app submission, for credit bureau access, and appraisals. SalesPoint really provides a way for us to automate our dealer documentation and allows us to present very professional looking documents without having to enter and re-enter data about that customer or truck multiple times.” What’s more, Lonestar needed a way to track an entire sale, from first call to final sale. “The idea behind SalesPoint is that the sales transaction doesn’t start or end with the sale. We need to track from the very first time a customer calls all the way through the sales cycle. SalesPoint gives us a way to do that. It just makes us more efficient.”

SalesPoint enhances the Finance and Insurance Process, and Lonestar Truck Group looks to the future

It’s no mystery that the Finance and Insurance Process (F&I) is key to a successful truck sale. All transactions related to the process have to be recorded. And that’s a lot of paperwork to keep track of. Something Wheeler and the DP Solutions development team anticipated. “What we’ve tried to do in SalesPoint is provide a way so that, as you create a contact, that the same name, address, etc., pulls into the credit application later on downstream. In the system, a salesman creates a contact and a quote, and all of that information is attached to a credit application. Any time a credit app is taken on a customer that data is stored. And then, the next time you go to submit a credit app, you don’t start with a blank page. You start with what was given previously and freshen it up as needed. So SalesPoint speeds up the process of taking credit applications. We’ve also incorporated access to the credit bureau so we can review the person’s credit in the system. Finally, the contact information for credit reps is in the lender profile so we can tell the F&I manager who to contact at that lender and what types of deals that they will buy. [These tools] help us more effectively place business with the appropriate lending source.” Other CRM systems don’t offer the same efficient method to processing applications, at least not in Wheeler’s opinion. With the centralized view of all sales transactions, Financial Managers like Wheeler can assist their colleagues, “…any place we have an internet connection,” which gives Lonestar Truck Group a chance to do better finance business. Generic CRM systems like Salesforce and SugarCRM can’t be easily converted to suit the heavy-duty truck industry. “What I like about SalesPoint is that it is something dedicated to the truck dealership business, and it’s not something you can go out and find off-the-shelf," Wheeler said. "I certainly think the potential to attract business from all different truck manufacturers is outstanding. I absolutely recommend SalesPoint to other dealerships whenever I can.”

SalesPoint CRM Software Empowers Campbell Freightliner, LLC to Improve Sales Management

Elizabeth Miller — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 04:30:48 +0000

SalesPoint offers key CRM requirements such as mobility and remote access, process management, and tracking Lufkin, TX – March 12^th, 2013 – DP Solutions, Inc., an innovator in customer relationship management (CRM) software for the heavy-duty truck industry, is announcing that Campbell Freightliner, LLC, a leading commercial truck dealer in the United States, is implementing SalesPoint to assist with rapid sales growth and to help improve sales management processes. According to John Craft, Partner and Dealer Principle of W. Campbell Holdings, LLC, Campbell Freightliner has chosen SalesPoint based on key CRM requirements. One of the initial requirements, according to Craft, is sales mobility and remote access to customer information. “We want a solution that offers a way to give our salesmen access to all of our customer information without having to go into our Dealership Management System (DMS). We need something that would pull all of that information out.” Campbell Freightliner also needs a software solution that offers built-in capabilities that enable strong sales process management and tracking. “We want to be able to track our sales effort. We like to see how many cold calls are made each day, how many emails are going out to customers, and how many live demos are done,” says Craft. With three Freightliner dealerships and two emergency apparatus dealerships, the Campbell family of dealerships needs an easy-to-use, ready-to-integrate software system that not only works with other dealership management applications, but also provides maximum return on investment. That solution is SalesPoint. The benefits of using SalesPoint Many truck dealerships and service shops are looking for software solutions that help streamline sales processes and eliminate loss of information. With SalesPoint, CRM users keep all of the key details about customer, what they are looking for, and other related notes, forecasts, and expenses all in one dashboard where it is easily accessible. A business using SalesPoint will no longer rely on paper documentation that can be easily lost or misfiled. SalesPoint integrates with any DMS. SalesPoint is more than just a front end CRM system; it is a powerful tool that will help you safely manage your truck sales, parts and service with precision, flexibility, and ease. -- About DP Solutions: Founded in 1988, DP Solutions, Inc. is a managed services provider serving small to mid-sized businesses. Through expert planning, management and support, DP Solutions, Inc. has become a trusted Dealership Management Software provider and IT partner for leading organizations in a variety of industries. From strategy, development, and maintenance to around-the-clock response, DP Solutions, Inc. keeps your software and network safe, efficient and effective. Our goal: to boost your growth and productivity with smart, hassle-free business management software and IT solutions. (www.dpsol.com) Contact Elizabeth Miller Marketing Coordinator (936) 631 - 3105 emiller@dpsol.com Download a copy of this press release.

UptimePro Product Release v. 13.2.28

Elizabeth Miller — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:49:10 +0000

DP Solutions has formally released the next version of UptimePro version 13.2.28. We have added several improvements and new features that will improve the efficiency of the software. Many of the new enhancements were direct suggestions received from Uptime users who attended a November forum. Those features include: Enhancement List:

Finalization of Express Assessment and DTNA Reporting Module:
- Auto Routing to EA Module for Designated EA Repairs
- EA Grid Sorted by Default View of Time from First Punch
- Customer Communication and Comments Can Be Emailed Directly from EA Module
- Customized EA View to Similar to ShopPad Functionality and Workflow
- Click Once Button to Send All Completed EA’s to SSI
- Start Time for EA Based on RO Creation
- Last Comments Column Added for Easy View of Last Customer Communication
- Dashboard Report Added for all Express Assessment Statistics By Customer, Location, SA, etc.
- Filters for Closed, Open, and All EA’s in Grid
- Management Correction Feature for Errors to Time Punches
- Comments are Required on All Time Punch Corrections
- Options for Management Review or Automated Reporting to SSI Application
- Certification of Data Feed to SSI by DTNA Staff
- Implemented (15) Reasons for Miss on EA Dashboard
- EA Dashboard Comments are Copied to ShopPad Comments Section and Vice Versa
Major Enhancements to Column Filters
- Red Indicator on ShopPad Column when Filter is Engaged
- Filters for Contains, and Exact Text Match
- Filter Retains Setting(s) on When the Main Search Field is Used at the Upper Land Hand Corner for Refined Searches
Removed Padding from ShopPad to Allow for the Ability to See more RO’s in One Main View
- This Increased the Default Count of the RO’s from Approximately (25) to (35) RO’s
Flag Added on ShopPad View for Parts Request
- Track Date Time and User who Cleared Parts Request
- Added Additional Spacing for Parts in Parts Request Form
Removed “Highlighting a Row when Clicked Feature”
- Feature Caused Some Confusion by Enhancing the Color
- Some Users Interpreted a Different Status by the Change in Color of Selected Row
Word Wrap of Comments, Tech Comments, and Operation Text is Standard when Viewing Operations Grid
Added Repair Order Priority Status to ShopPad Column View
Added Date Operation was Created in ShopPad Sub Grid (Read Only Field)
Improved Visibility for Filter Icons to Indicate More Clearly When Filters are Engaged
- When Engaged Filters are Now Bordered by a Large Ring of Red
- The Light Blue Background at the Top of the Page is Now Yellow when a Filter is Engaged to Promote to the User that a Filter is Selected
Added Number of Time Punches and Number of Comments to Sub Grid
Expanded ShopPad Customer Information and Contacts Fields
- New Intuitive Better Designed Form for Customer Contacts
- Unlimited Contacts Can Now Be Added
Pause Update Button Released to Upper Left Hand Corner in ShopPad
- When Engaged ShopPad Menu Bar Changes from Grey to Red to Inform User of Change
User Preferences Added to Dashboard Module
- Individual Users Preferences for Column Width are Saved Session to Session
- Last Dashboard View is 1^st Dashboard Displayed Upon Returning to Dashboard Module
- Filtering Enhancements in ShopPad have been Added to Dashboards
- Added Several Additional Dashboards for EA Reporting
Customer Portal and Registration Released to Beta Clients for Feedback
- New Role for Customer View of ShopPad Established as a Preference
- Customers Can View Limited View of ShopPad
- Customer View Can Be Limited to Any Configuration of ShopPad
- Ability to Create Customer Appointment and to Make Comments
- Notification in ShopPad When Customer has Made Comment
  - Red Comment Indicator is Flagged in ShopPad
  - Requires Clearing of Staff that Someone has Read Comment
- Training of Dealer Staff Regarding Fleet Sign Up will be Required
Dashboard - Open in New Tab as Default Value for Dashboard Menu
Parts Request Dialog – Enlarged Part Number Field Substantially

Items Corrected and Improved:

Corrected Bug on Paging/Scrolling in ShopPad
- Sometimes Users Edits Appeared to Not Save Upon Edit, Causing Confusion for End Users
- Improved Scrolling while thru the Grid was being Refreshed
- Corrected Preferences Not Saving in Dashboards
- Corrected: EA's Marked Closed (Send>SSI) Would not Disappear from Grid when EA Timeframe was Met
- Corrected: Rep Drop Down in Appointment Form Showing Technicians (vs. Reps)
- Corrected: Technicians not Saving on Jobs in Appointment Form
- Added: Parts Request Button from EA Dashboard
- Corrected: Simple and Detailed RO Report for Individual Repair Orders not Showing Data
- Corrected: 500 error when Saving a Comment with an Onsite Email Address Formatted in Outlook Format
  - (FirstName LastName )
- Corrected: Dashboard Module where Spaces in Column Names Causes Empty Exports
- Corrected: Editing a Field for the First Time in ShopPad Resulted Error

Click the link to download a PDF copy of the Uptime Pro 13.2.28 Product Release Notes. If you have questions before then or would like to inquire about the new features or our current installation schedule, please contact your DP Account Manager: Chris Devore, Western and Central Region Office: 936-631-3123 Cell: 936-212-0490 Email:cdevore@dpsol.com Bill Love, Eastern Region Office: 936-631-3117 Cell: 239-850-2827 Email: wlove@dpsol.com

UptimePro Beta Release – Parts Delivery and Driver Management Module

Elizabeth Miller — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:59:36 +0000

DP Solutions, Inc. is pleased to announce the Beta Release of our Parts Delivery and Driver Management Module. We are accepting beta clients to test-drive the newest enhancements to ServicePoint and UptimePro. We have added significant management and driver productivity tools to help improve driver performance, customer satisfaction, and accounts receivable collection efforts. The Parts Dispatching Module has the following features:

Automated Collection and Routing of Delivery Ticket to the ServicePoint and UptimePro Module
Driver Tablet Application Provides for:
- Offline Signature Capture to Acknowledge Delivery of Parts
- Preview of Invoice Before Customer Acceptance
- Auto Emailing of Signed Ticket to Customer Designated Accounts Receivable Team
- Notification to Management Team and Customer that Parts Are Delivered
- Delivery Date, Signer, and Time of Day are Automatically Captured and Saved as a Permanent Record
- Collection of Accounts Receivable Contact Information from Tablet
- Sync Features for Drivers to Collect New Tickets for the Day
- Map View of Driver Location and Tickets to be Delivered by Driver
- Intelligent Mapping for Optimization of the Most Efficient Delivery Route
- Traffic Congestion Indicators
- Turn by Turn Voice Navigation
Dispatching Management Features Allow for:
- Delivery Count by Driver
- Delivery Locations Displayed on Map
- Color Coded Driver Markers
- Filters to View the Number of Tickets Per Driver
- Projected Availability of Estimated Return to Office
- Auto Assign Tickets by Zone, Zip Code, or Customer
- View of Total Part Delivery Tickets Per Customer
- Signature are Saved and Archived Upon Acceptance
- Signature is Merged with Original Ticket
Parts Delivery and Driver Management Module Designed for Android Tablet
- Data Modem and Specific Hardware Requirements Apply
- Installation Charges may Apply

If you have any questions about the new module, or would like to sign-up to test drive it, please email Chris Devore, cdevore@dpsol.com. Click the link to download a PDF copy of the UptimePro Parts Delivery and Driver Management Module Feature List.