Auto/Mate Dealership Systems recently unveiled a new texting engine built into its dealership management system designed to help dealers quickly communicate with customers.

Sales and service departments can use the new texting engine for a variety of customer experience related functions, according to Auto/Mate.

"Auto/Mate’s Texting is simpler and far less expensive than most tools currently available in the market," Mike Esposito, Auto/Mate president and chief executive officer said in a news release. "Texting allows dealers to meet customer expectations, have a written record of messages sent and received and improves customer perception of their brand."

The company said its texting engine is designed to be as easy to use as messaging applications on smartphones.

The texting engine also allows users to manage "do not text" records, create message templates and send welcome messages, according to the company.

Dealership personnel  receive  alerts from the DMS when texts from customers arrive.

"The increased opt-in rates and use of messaging allows dealership personnel to communicate with a higher percentage of their customer base on a regular basis, which is critical for establishing and maintaining relationships," Esposito explained.

Additionally, the texting engine can be used by dealerships to follow up with leads and set and confirm appointments.

Texts can be sent to customers from Auto/Mate's CRM.

"Texting is practical in service because it creates a written record of customer approvals and communications that can be used to identify issues within the dealership, retrieve details of discussions, monitor advisors and resolve customer conflicts," Esposito said.

Dealership personnel can use messaging to send service reminders, appointment reminders, service recommendation approvals, vehicle status updates and notifications that a vehicle is ready for pick up.

"We have reached a point where dealerships must embrace and use texting, or they risk being perceived as behind the times," Esposito added. "Our Texting engine makes it easy and affordable for dealerships to implement texting, delivering a better customer experience in both sales and service."