SLANTS & TRENDS–NEW PRODUCTS AND INFORMATION

ZURICH LAUNCHES SECURE PORTAL FOR VIEWING ACCOUNT INFO
February 5, 2007—Zurich (formerly Universal Underwriters Group) introduced AccountConnect, a secure, Web-based portal dealers can use to view and manage their account information. Using an ID and password, dealers can view data for multiple dealerships, billing statements, and claims status and activity for the previous 12 months. Dealers can also e-mail Zurich’s service staff and post messages on an interactive message board. In addition, Zurich launched a protected-cell reinsurance program. Under the protected-cell model, businesses stand alone and are unaffected by other businesses. This program combines the advantages of Zurich’s Producer Owned Reinsurance Company (PORC) and Rent-A-Captive (RAC) programs, the company says. Multiple products, such as GAP and VSC, can be reinsured into the dealer’s account.

REYNOLDS INTROS MARKETING AND SALES AIDS
February 5, 2007—Reynolds and Reynolds Co., Dayton, announced Interactive Marketing, which combines Reynolds Web Solutions and Contact Management to let dealers conduct their multifaceted marketing efforts through a single provider. It also captures data to more precisely measure the number of impressions generated, plus the communication methods and frequency of contact. This end-to-end set of solutions, which integrates with the DMS, generates and feeds leads from Web sites to a CRM tool so the dealer can manage the leads through a wide range of customer communication methods. Other capabilities: SearchEnginuity PPC, which expands the dealership’s Internet presence through keyword-triggered search engine ads; SiteChauffeur, with a Web site and specials management service; Equity Calculator, which prequalifies buyers by their equity positions; and Voice of the Dealer, powered by CallCommand and giving dealers access to customers via timely phone or text messaging.

NEW PHONE, VIDEO PRODUCTS FROM ADP
February 5, 2007—ADP intros Network Phone ASP, a self-sufficient phone system in which ADP provides the phones, equipment, maintenance, and upgrades for a fixed monthly fee per user. Designed to “get the dealer out of the phone business,” the service integrates with ADP’s w.e.b.Suite and w.e.b.CRM. Also new: Network Video, which gathers all of a dealership’s videos into one command center that the dealer can access from any PC connected to the Internet. The dealer can see, from his office or even at his vacation home, images from the lot, taped F&I transactions, or license plate captures in the service lane.

MICROSOFT MAKES FIRST VISIT EVER TO NADA AS AN EXHIBITOR
February 5, 2007—Microsoft Corp. is in the midst of creating an all-new dealer management system, which is scheduled to launch by summer, according to sources at Microsoft. The company’s booth here had little to bespeak the massive undertaking in creating the new system. Neither hardware nor software nor even a brochure was available, but Microsoft did name some integrated partner companies, including a full suite of products from such companies as DealerTrack, JM Solutions, Manheim, RouteOne LLC, and the Cobalt Group, Inc. All will integrate directly into the new DMS. Five additional companies will partner with complementary solutions as part of the initiative. Those include AutoBase Inc., bridgeSpeak, Chrome Systems Inc., Crowe Chizek and Co. LLC, and Oxlo Systems Inc.

CARS.COM HELPS DEALERS MEASURE ONLINE AD IMPACT
February 5, 2007—Cars.com, Chicago, introduced reporting tools that let dealers track performance of their online advertising against vehicles sold. Using OnlineAdReports, dealers will be able to see how Cars.com shopping activity relates to each car sold. Beyond quantifying online ad value, the new service helps dealers make better-informed inventory, pricing, and merchandising decisions, the company says. Features include the Inventory Summary Report, Sold Vehicle Report, Merchandising Snapshot, Market-Average Price, and CarsStars Market Report (i.e., the hottest cars in your market).

REACHING LOCAL BUYERS WITH EBAY MOTORS LOCAL MARKET
February 5, 2007—Dealers can post their entire used-vehicle inventory—including unlimited photos and other dealership info—for one price and target local car buyers with eBay Motors Local Market. The program, rolling out nationally this spring, doesn’t require a contract or insertion fees. The Local Market listings use eBay’s Best Offer format, in which buyers submit their best offer and dealers can accept, reject, or counter. Also, EBay Motors’ site has been reorganized and improved so consumers can find all the research info they need, such as car reviews, on one site.

SNAP-ON GETS NEW PRESIDENT, PROQUEST GETS NEW NAME
February 5, 2007—Following Snap-on’s $527 million acquisition of ProQuest Business Solutions late last year, Snap-on announced that ProQuest has been renamed Snap-on Business Solutions and will be integrated into Snap-on’s Diagnostics and Information Group. Snap-on Business Solutions provides seamless integration from the dealership’s service and parts operations to the DMS. It also provides a variety of commercial grade hardware solutions. In addition, Snap-on Diagnostics and Information Group president Tom Ward announced the promotion of Mary Beth Siddons to president of Snap-on Business Solutions just before the opening of this year’s NADA show. Siddon had been president of the Diagnostics division since March 2005.