User Friendly Forum

13th June, 2008

Peugeot dealers from across the
UK attended MMI Automotive’s
Peugeot User Group, recently held
at the Stratford Manor Hotel in
Warwickshire.

A number of Automate users
attended the one day seminar, keen
to find out more about the DMS’
latest Peugeot updates.

User groups provide an opportunity
for dealers to exchange ideas, share
best practice and discuss dealership
management issues. They are also a
valuable feedback forum for MMI, and an
excellent opportunity for dealer input into
continuous product development.

The day began with MMI Business
Development Manager, John Adey, reviewing
the effectiveness of current system advancements including the Electronic Sales Control System (ESCS) and the AutoFit application – a fast fit module developed at Peugeot’s request as a result of a previous user group.

Automate easily lends itself to mobile technology, and the future potential of mobile phone/PDA integration was a key topic. Adey also explained more about MMI’s new time management software – Autoclock.

Building on this, Paul Lucas, MMI’s Development Manager, explained more about future integrations, evaluating the effectiveness of existing applications, and their relevance to the Peugeot dealer.

Lucas also spoke about the latest
Automate upgrade, version 5.0.0.8,
and the standard software offerings
currently being incorporated including
labour and MOT booking analysis,
ESCS, postcode look-up, in addition
to the Experian fast booking option
and Peugeot’s Service Box interface.
Automate is the only DMS to
offer Service Box integration, and
MMI continues to offer upgrades
free of charge to all customers.

“Our user groups are all about
promoting a working partnership,”
Lucas explained. “Our customers are
investors in Automate, and MMI has a
commitment to provide the most appropriate
solutions possible. It’s in both parties’ interests
to fully integrate each other’s systems.”

The day concluded with a customer feedback forum, chaired by David Hayward, MMI’s MD.

“MMI Automotive is quite unique in the way it listens to end users,” he said. “Like our Automate interfaces, our user groups are driven by customer demand. Although needs vary between franchises, our user groups identify different OEM opportunities, and this helps us to tailor Automate to the wider market,” he explains. “Ultimately everybody benefits.”