ALBANY, N.Y. -

To cut down on paper usage and streamline operations, Auto/Mate Dealership Systems released a pair of tools on Monday aimed at helping both the finance office as well as the service and parts counter.

The first solution is the company’s eDEAL Signature Capture feature, a digital contracting tool that can allow F&I managers to capture signatures, store electronically signed documents and email digital deal jackets to customers.

In conjunction with eDEAL, Auto/Mate has also released eSign, allowing cashiers, as well as service and parts staff, to accept digital signatures from fixed operations customers.

“It’s time for dealerships to move beyond paper-based processes,” said Mike Esposito, president and chief executive officer of Auto/Mate. “Fortunately, most states, banks and auto dealer associations are finally making the legal changes necessary to enable digital contracts and forms. This is a game changer for dealerships everywhere.”

With eDEAL and eSign, customers only have to sign once, then tap to apply their signature to other required fields. When using eDEAL, the digital deal is downloaded as a zip file that can be emailed or put onto a flash drive. Signed repair orders, warranty forms and other parts and service forms can be emailed directly to the customer using eSign.

Auto/Mate explained eDEAL Signature Capture can be used on any mobile tablet and resides in Desk/Mate, Auto/Mate’s desking tool. All forms are stored as digital PDFs right in the DMS, eliminating the need for physical file storage and third-party scanning solutions.

The company went on to mention eSign can be accessed in the service merchandising or parts modules. Fixed operations employees can go back at any time and reference a list of signed documents along with an indication of whether the document has been signed and cashiered.

 Auto/Mate insisted cost savings associated with digital documents are significant.

“Dealers will greatly reduce costs related to printing and storing thousands of documents, including paper form reorders, toner, storage space and labor hours associated with managing manual, paper-based processes,” the company added.

“Unlike expensive competitive options, eDEAL and eSign give dealerships the ability to use digital contracting tools with the same capabilities at a much lower cost,” Auto/Mate went on to say.

For more information visit Booth No. 2301S at the NADA Convention & Expo in San Francisco beginning on Jan. 24. Dealer can schedule a demo at www.automate.com/nada.