TORONTO -

Digital transformation company Dealer-FX has launched a new offering that it says eases the processes of appointment scheduling and service check-in for vehicle owners and simplifies appointment management and customer communication for dealerships.

The offering is called Experience, and Dealer-FX said it is designed for the "new normal" of social distancing.

To help alleviate some of the financial burdens COVID-19 has had on dealers, Dealer-FX is offering Experience at no charge for the first three months.

Dealer-FX said the Experience’s products work collaboratively to modernize the appointment experience at every touchpoint.

With Experience, customers can schedule appointments, and dealerships can manage appointment availability and transportation options at a glance.

Also, with contactless check-in, customers can use their mobile device to complete their service check-in. That includes the option to select additional services and provide a digital signature for approval.

In addition, Experience designed text, email and call outreach to keep customers coming back for service.

That, according to the company, helps dealers build long-term retention and grow fixed-operations revenue.

The company said Experience integrates with DMS providers for consistent customer and vehicle information. Reporting and analytics provide insight into short and long-term trends affecting dealerships’ retention and profitability.

Running on the Dealer-FX ONE Platform, Experience allows dealerships to upgrade the product with tools to automate their service operations’ end-to-end workflow.

Dealers can also receive expert services for marketing and business development center training to complement Experience. The company designed those services to help boost growth, retention and efficiency for dealers’ business development center and service lane operations.

Dealers can schedule a demonstration to learn more about Experience.

"We're very excited to launch Experience,” Dealer-FX chief executive officer Bill Lucchini said in a news release.

Lucchini continued, “This solution provides the essential tools every dealership needs to truly deliver an exceptional service experience. Consumer expectations have changed and will remain changed, long after COVID-19. Experience gives dealerships the tools they need now to acclimate to this new reality.”