As stated in Automotive News by an AdvantageTec texting client,

“Jose Hurtado, service director at Irvine BMW, Irvine Mini and Rolls-Royce Orange County in Irvine, Calif., said that after the service department started texting customers about seven months ago, the dealership’s customer satisfaction has increased three points on a 100-point index. ‘That is something huge for us as a dealership.’“

Simple – Safe – Fast – Controlled – Integrated

The essential elements of texting in the automotive arena are simple, safe, fast, controlled, and integrated. Let’s look at them one at a time.

Simple

As Leonardo Da Vinci defined simplicity in the 15th century saying, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Apple took heed to this statement in the 21st century by providing technology that did not require an operating manual or any training – they made an interface a toddler could use.

Today’s auto dealerships and their staff members – salespersons, service advisors and the BDC need simple solutions for specific everyday business communication, which are not a burden to download or learn. They need straightforward and intuitive software – and they can find that in advantage txt.

The user interface consists of one page showing each service advisors their current customers, new messages, client notifications and satisfaction — the only one-page one-click texting tool for car dealerships. No need to enter, save or delete anything – the software recognizes the advisors’ every move. And yes, it is magical.

Safe

Our company believes in helping dealerships run a safe operation, especially when it comes to communication with customers and obtaining their personal data. Our software assures every dealership’s compliance with all TCPA and FCC rules through written consent before sending any text to service clients and potential clients.

Our software also allows for specified network access points making sure employees do not access PII from unauthorized networks. Sounds complicated, it is not.

Integrated processes and DMS certification allow AdvantageTec’s software to time stamp and record written authorization with over 90% of clients every day. Time and process management are on the top of our To Do list.

Read about the most frequently asked FCC questions related to car industry in our article, and find about all TCPA Texting Rules Every Car Dealership Needs to Know.

Fast

As we like to say in the office, “What is faster than a McLaren P1 from zero to sixty?” The answer is texting a few dozen clients!

Our average dealership has over 2000 text interactions with their customers every month. Think of the decreased phone load associated with 2000 texts — 30% less voicemail, no dropped calls, no hold times, and fast customer approvals.

Like it or not, dealership customers prefer texting. The single biggest proof point for this is less than .008 percent of customer opt out of texting. Ask your friends, you will be amazed how infrequently they pick up their voicemail.

Texting software makes communications fast – 90% of text messages are read within three minutes and the average response time is four minutes. Your customer will reply within seconds and speed up the repair approvals and, in turn, increase CSI.

Controlled

Text automation allows the dealership to control the content, frequency and timeliness of text messaging.

For example, an automated appointment reminder helps confirm an appointment 48 hours before the appointment, a welcome message greets and notifies the client of their advisor’s texting feature within minutes of vehicle drop off and a service follow-up text assures a strong CSI survey.

Other messages are status updates and vehicle ready notifications which can be performed in bulk. Dealership communication improves and with it trust, loyalty, and CSI.

AdvantageTec has seen 5% CSI increases and 10% loyalty improvements within five months of product usage.

Integrated

A texting tool should be integrated with the DMS and synchronized across devices. A service advisor should be able to start a text communication at their desktop then snap a picture on a mobile device or tablet to continue the text thread back at their workstation.

Furthermore, responsive design is important as this allows the content of a texting app to be viewed on literally any device – be it mobile, tablet or desktop, no matter the brand or manufacturer. This will improve the user experience (UX). Advisors can send images of repairs that need to be done in real time – they just take a picture with their phone or tablet, then attach the file and get approval in seconds or minutes. It’s that easy!

Even more important than integrated software is integrated data. The DMS certification and connection remove the need for any data entry. Dealership employees simply see their clients, write a text and hit send.

Advantage txt usage and adoption is as high as 90% (of all service drive customers). And the cherry on the cake is when a dealership sees confirmation in reviews and social media posts which praise the dealerships for convenience, easy communication and technology adaption.

AdvantageTec’s texting tool is called advantage txt. It is available for all brands including Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Buick, Honda, Hyundai, Infinity, Jaguar, Land Rover, KIA, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Scion, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo.

You can find it easily by following this link: https://www.advantagetec.com/texting/

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Article originally published on www.advantagetec.com on March 10, 2016.