Smartphone & Tablet Technology Showing Improvements in Decision-Making Speed and Profitability

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (November 20, 2014) – Black Book® announces the results of its recent Mobile Usability survey, taking a closer look at how dealers, remarketers and other industry professionals are currently utilizing mobile technology via smartphone or tablets. The results shed light on just how fast the industry is becoming, with respondents saying mobile technology helps them make decisions 20 seconds faster. To view complete results of the survey click here.

The Black Book Mobile Usability survey was presented to more than 1,000 automotive dealers, remarketers and other industry professionals who make wholesale and retail inventory procurement decisions. The online survey was conducted from May through June, earlier this year. The responses show that 69% of industry professionals are using one smartphone; another 20% use a smartphone and a tablet; and 8% are using more than one smartphone.

The speed of today’s industry has clearly made an impact on the need to leverage more mobile technology. Survey results showed that more than half of industry professionals make decisions 20 or more seconds faster with mobile technology; 15% say they can make decisions 10-15 seconds faster; and 9% say they are 5-9 seconds faster. In an industry where split-second decisions can impact profit levels, any improvement can help the industry’s bottom line.

The survey also revealed that 64% of professionals are more profitable as a result of using mobile technology. Of this group, 30% said they believe they are 10% more profitable in their daily operations as a result of smartphone or tablet technology.

“While mobile technology today offers a wealth of features and benefits to industry professionals, it has to show that we can make profitable decisions faster,” said Mike Williams, Vice President of Mobile and Direct Sales at Black Book. “And the speed at which mobile apps like Black Book Digital perform can eliminate critical seconds when accessing valuations, vehicle scans, and history reports.”

Black Book Digital allows users to search for vehicles and valuation data, including cutting-edge VIN scanner technology. Users have quick access to more data on specific vehicles than ever before. The application delivers a 360-degree valuation perspective, with information layers that offer vehicle valuation data, and additional modules that include CARFAX® and AutoCheck®, trends, vehicle specifications, photos, Demand Index and complete market report information.

Increasing speed of decision-making, the app eliminates the need to rely on inconsistent wifi networks by allowing users to gain access to critical valuation data offline. Users can also leverage Black Book Digital’s Q-List, which helps automotive professionals manage inventory and share information with others in their decision channel, no matter their location.

Black Book® is best known in the automotive industry for providing timely, independent and accurate vehicle pricing information, and is available to industry-qualified users through online subscription products, mobile applications and licensing agreements. A leading provider since 1955, Black Book has continuously evolved to ensure that it achieves its goal of delivering mission-critical information to its customers, along with the insight necessary to successfully buy, sell, and lend. Black Book data is published daily by National Auto Research, a division of Hearst Business media, and the company maintains offices in Georgia, Florida, and Maryland.