Contact At Once has acquired the Direct Chat business of Outsell, and the companies also announced an agreement Wednesday in which they will integrate Contact at Once’s live chat software with Outsell’s Digital Engagement Platform for mutual customers. Outsell decided to “spin off” its Direct Chat unit in order to be able to put more […] [Read More]

Thanks to a new agreement announced on Wednesday between the companies, dealers and manufacturers will be able to include Carfax Vehicle History Reports with their used cars listed on Edmunds.com. An advantage for Carfax-using dealers is that when they are able to offer free reports as part of their used-car listings early next year, it […] [Read More]

Certain auto dealers could benefit from the real-time information exchange created by a newly-announced integration between two companies’ products. Early this week, Auto/Mate Dealership Systems announced its dealership management system is now integrated with Innovative Aftermarket System's suite of SmartDealerProducts for automotive dealerships. The company said dealers using both Auto/Mate's DMS and IAS' SmartDealerProducts solutions […] [Read More]

Today, DMEautomotive launched Driver Connect 2.5, an upgrade to its dealer-branded, consumer-facing mobile app. By leveraging almost a dozen enhancements, the company highlighted the new era in mobile apps is all about bringing consumers and businesses even closer with hyper-personal, real-time connections DMEautomotive contends Driver Connect 2.5 embraces that evolution by offering “in-the-moment” relationship-cementing tools […] [Read More]

Cars took their place among discounted electronics and holiday deals during the biggest shopping weekend of the year, but dealers may not have actually seen many of these shoppers show up on the lots. According to Dataium’s annual Holiday Auto Shopping report, mobile shopping on Black Friday continued to be a rising trend. In fact, […] [Read More]

Of course, December brings the holiday shopping season with it, but Paul Potratz of Potratz Partners Advertising contends it brings something else, as well: “the most sales opportunity for your dealership.” In today’s webinar, scheduled for 2:04 EST, Potratz and Jamie Welch, senior business development manager at marketing company PERQ, will address what they contend […] [Read More]

Search Optics, a digital marketing solutions provider with a specialty in technology tools for dealers, announced a partnership today with with Los Angeles-based Kayne Partners, the growth private equity group of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors that is a $24 billion alternative investment firm. Officials explained the investment by Kayne Partners provides substantial financial support for […] [Read More]

When most consumers think about new Cloud technology, they think about computer, tablets, smartphones, and other personal devices. But now, Cloud services are expanding to vehicles, as well. Amazon.com Inc. revealed today Amazon Cloud Play for iOS will be available in BMW Apps and MINI Connected-equipped vehicles from model-year 2011 forward. This capability allows drivers […] [Read More]

Siri — not just a tool for the iPhone. Siri Eyes Free, a voice-activated program, is now available as a dealer-installed accessory in select Honda and Acura vehicles. American Honda Motor Co. revealed Tuesday that select Honda and Acura models, including the 2013-2014 Honda Accord and 2013 Acura RDX and ILX, now offer buyers Apple’s […] [Read More]

On Thursday, Reynolds and Reynolds acquired XtreamService, a software company founded in part by Hendrick Automotive Group chairman Rick Hendrick that is designed to help dealerships reach customers more effectively and deliver improved sales, service and customer retention results. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Officials explained Xtream is a data mining tool for […] [Read More]