This year's exhibition floor at NADA will be the biggest ever with over 430 companies to visit! Trying to see all the new technology is a daunting task, even for the seasoned NADA attendee. To make your job easier, I've created three walking tours, similar to what you'd find in a foreign travel guide. According to the latest NADA maps, there are three entrances to the exhibition floor. Our first tour begins on the upper level at the main entrance near General Motors.
Walking Tour 1:
The ADP, GM, Daimler Chrysler, and EDS tour. You enter the floor on the top level and Carsmart.com #1009 should be on your left. If you're looking for some great secondary finance software, make a sharp right and visit Wizard Finance #1000. Say "hi" to Gary Mitchell; he's one of our contributors.
When you finish, General Motors #1500 will be straight ahead, and you'll want to turn left, then right, and look for PBS #1809. It should be on your left. PBS is a PC-based DMS system worth taking the time to visit. Don't spend too much time there because all of us at DEALER and Digital Dealer magazine in booth #2110 will be waiting to see you and offer you a cup of premium coffee. Just turn left before the Delphi Delco booth, and we'll be on your left.
Continue a little further, and EDS Automotive Retail Group #2223 will be on your right. They will be awarding Palm Pilots and digital cameras to daily winners. EDS is introducing "DealerPath," an end-to-end Internet solution that integrates with any Dealer System Provider, the Diamond Manage Solution (a new PC-based DMS system) and a Techno Plex presentation theatre featuring leading industry technology speakers. I'll be speaking there Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. You can also meet Linda Judd, recently named one of the 100 Leading Women in the Automotive Industry by Automotive News.
Make a right turn after EDS, and you'll be heading straight for the big ADP #2515 booth. They have some exciting things to show you-an ASP solution and the revamped Dealer Solutions product. Also take a look at the Elite Plus Menu Wizard; that's pretty cool.
To the right of ADP is American Financial Automotive Services #2509. One of my friends, Randy Barone of AFAS, is a workshop speaker this year ("Increase Your Business by 50%") and even if you don't get a chance to attend his seminar, tell him you saw it anyway and that he was fantastic!
If this path brought you over an aisle, you'll be walking alongside the big GM booth and headed toward Carbiz.com #3603. They are giving away pens, mouse pads, luggage tags, and mugs. Their Internet-enabled version of Full Spectrum software and the IVR program, "Voice Direct" will be released. They will have 20-minute workshops on topics like "Collections for Buy-Here Pay-Here Dealerships" and "How To Use Special Finance Software Effectively."
A little further on is David Lewis & Associates #3803. Along with their F&I and Special Finance software, they'll be introducing AutoLease 2000, a new leasing module.
Turn left toward Loandata #3809, and head down that aisle. Across from Stoneage.com #3616 will be CRS-- Customer Retention Software #3815. Say "hi" to pretty Andrea; this is her first NADA, and take a peek at their low cost Microsoft Access solution CRM software for ADP, R+R, EDS, and PBS systems.
When you get to the end of this aisle, Keytrak #3619 will be straight ahead. They are registering guests to win a $3,000 armillary, handheld GPS systems, compasses, and many other exciting gifts. They also have a new software product to show you.
Turn right and head toward the gigantic booth for Daimler Chrysler #4200. This last row is a hotbed of "techies," including KoData #4007. They have the latest version of the Alchemy software platform and will also be introducing dealers on how to access their accounting documents over the web. They promise a nice giveaway prize that tops the PC they gave away in Orlando last year.
In the corner past the Daimler Chrysler booth is the Restaurant. If you see some folks reading Digital Dealer and relaxing with their feet up, buy them a soda and congratulate them on finishing the first tour!
Walking Tour 2:
The NADA, R+R and Toyota tour. If you're continuing on, just leave the restaurant and head down the 3600 or 3800 aisle toward the stairs to the lower level. You'll want to go down the far right stairs, and you should see ADAM #3423 on your right. This is another PC-based system.
ASTN #3223 will be on your right and you'll be walking down the 3000 row. Automotive Directions #3030 will be on the right. They have an Internet-based CRM product.
Past them is Chrome #3033, near the back, in front of MSN CarPoint. Look for "The Chrome Standard" with the Chrome logo rotating at the top of the booth. Chrome is celebrating their 15th year in 2001 and they are giving away anniversary gifts that hold anywhere from $1-$100. They have a bunch of new products: The Chrome Network, LotRunner, AutoBuilder, GM AutoBook and major upgrades to existing products including Chrome Carbook 4.1 and PC Carbook 4.0. Please stop by to meet Internet sales consultant Patti Schnecke, and half a dozen of Chrome's dealer clients, who will be presenting personal success stories of how they solved particular problems using Chrome solutions.
To your right is the big booth #3433 with MSN Carpoint and Driveoff.com.
Continuing down the aisle will be Credit Online/Credit Connection at booth #3245. It will have a Skytron jumbo screen hanging above the booth that should be visible from a fairly good distance. They'll be showing dealers how the newest Credit Online products can help them take control of vehicle financing on Internet deals, as well as electronically connect the dealership to more than two dozen major prime and non-prime lenders nationwide.
Now you're at a fork in the road. If you're interested in selling parts on the Internet, make a sharp right at the next opening and visit Parts.com # 3448. If you make a left turn, you'll go past the double "K"s -Kelley Blue Book #2845, and Key Systems #2841.
If you're interested in leasing software, don't turn left; instead continue straight to LeaseLink, who'll be on your right at booth #3255, right past InvoiceDealers #3154. LeaseLink will be showing Version 6.0, now available in a web-enabled, networked, or stand-alone version. This product interfaces with Reynolds & Reynolds, ADP and UCS.
On the left, diagonally across from "Explorer Van Company" will be Dixon Odom University/AutoTeam America #3060. They will be giving away screen sweepers and frisbees along with information about Internet-based training. Say "howdy" (they are from the south) to Tracy Crevar, William Nicrosi, John Davis and especially Wayne Fortier, who is one of our contributors in this issue. You should also be able to find Bob Hinton nearby from Moss Adams LLP, who wrote this issue's article on Used Inventory management. Please tell him what you thought about his article.
Turn toward the big van display, and walk to the exit and the big Reynolds + Reynolds booth. They will be showing the ERA3 enhancements this year.
Past them is Manheim Auctions #2248, near the NADA Dealer Ser-vices Booth #2523 and AutobyTel. Manheim is giving away nice bags. (I'm sure your arms are full by now), golf trips, refreshments, and other goodies. They'll be showing the new and improved Manheim Online. Say "hello" to Chip Perry, CEO of AutoTrader.com, Dean Eisner, president of Manheim Auctions, and Hal Logan, CEO of Manheim Interactive.
At the NADA 20 Group booth, talk to all those great moderators like Jim Prohaska, Dave Allen and Jim Rich, who took me along to speak to 20 groups about technology in exotic places.
Heading toward the exit, you'll go by Autofusion.com #2039. Autofusion has launched its B2B site: www.autofusion.com. Now you'll wind up this tour at the UCS Booth #1653. You can easily distinguish the UCS booth from all others by the classic mahogany wood paneling. The UCS booth will feature CRM applications, handheld products that allow your personnel to "bring their computer" to the customer, and products that provide real-time integration between your UCS Computer System and the Internet. Make sure you check out the features of Internet Business Connection, and the recently released ASP solution.
We missed going by AutoSoft #1423, but if you're in the market for a PC-based system, it's worth the back tracking through the Ford booth to see them. You could also head back up the stairs toward General Motors and stop to chat with us again at DEALER magazine and Digital Dealer #2110.
Walking Tour 3:
The Toyota tour. This tour will end at the NADA Health Services booth; so if you're feeling a little rush from the pace of all this technology, you can get your blood pressure checked. We'll start the tour by the Hyundai #1177, Cars.Com #680 and Suzuki #1164 booths and head toward Toyota. Dubuque Data Systems #1475 should be straight ahead. This is another PC-based system worth a look.
Continue past Vehix.com and The Polk Company at booth #1874. Their booth will have a futuristic theme with brown coloring and a large tower with Polk displayed in red at the top of the tower. New in their booth this year will be PDMM 2.0, Polk Professional Services, a significant Internet/ web-based feature. Come by and see Dr. John. He will be able to give you a free "Internet readiness" assessment.
If you turn to the left, you'll get to see Newgen Results #1889 and CarParts.com #1897. If you'd like to test drive a web-based system for developing one-to-one dealership promotions, or see a demonstration of an online dealership reservations system, stop by the Newgen booth where they will be giving away free, trial CRM services to a few lucky dealers. MarketScan, which markets LeaseProphet is also down there at #1183.
If you continue straight instead, you'll see Supersale.com #2079. You will see it from a distance due to the 15-foot tall inflatable DigitalLot Pen Tablet hanging from the convention ceiling. Supersale.com will be exhibiting SalesTouch Kiosk, TurboKey Solution, AutoOffice Management System and the DigitalLot Solution. Be sure to bring the post card you got in the mail and scan it with the DigitalLot Solution to see if you've won a portable DVD player. If you win the DVD player, you should give it to me since I was the one who reminded you! Toward the end of the room is NetSearch # 2096. Look for the Aether name and logo on top of their display because NetSearch is now Aether Systems. There will be numerous prizes and giveaways and you can test your luck at their slot machine, where everyone will be a winner!
Down the aisle to the right is CDView #2068. They are similar to KoData which we saw on Tour 1. Back to the main aisle will be Cobalt Group #2564. Continuing to the left and back toward Toyota, look for Info-Chip Telecommunicates Solutions, #2291, backed by the Equifax booth. This booth features the 100% digital DPU-2000 System for on-hold marketing, the NEW RPU-2500 Remote Programming Unit accessory, and the NEW ICA Player software for NT and Windows based voice mail systems. They will give away a 5 day/4 night cruise for two to any company that writes an order at NADA 2001 (limited quantities available). Continuing toward the back wall, DealerTrak.com #2593 will be on the left. They will be demonstrating their fully web-based dealer to lender site offering electronic processing of applications and tracking of essential business information. The site, more like a utility to connect dealers to all of their lending partners, is built, owned and operated by several leading national lender organizations and is free to all dealers. They will be giving away die-cast collectable cars and you can enter a drawing to win a free PC. My buddies at NCM Associates #2693 will be next door. Greet all the nice guys who had me come along to 20 groups as a speaker: Tony Noland, Scott Norman, and Bill Gonzales. If I forgot someone, I'm sorry!
Next-door is AutoClick.com #2697, a web-based client management and salesforce automation application developed specifically for the retail automotive dealer. It can handle leads from any part of the dealership including the dealership web site, phone-ups and lot clients.
At #2883 is the Autodaq Sports Bar. Sounds interesting and they say if you'll come by and meet the growing Autodaq team, there will be some treats and giveaways. Turn right at Autoweb.com #3271and look for the "City Inside the Convention Center." That's where Household Finance #3264, (next to Toyota) will be having random giveaways throughout the convention and rolling out a new dealer-dedicated web-site. Come by and meet members of their sales staff who will be visiting from all over the country. While you're there, you can also take part in a thrill-seeking virtual reality game. (I guess you know where I'll be hanging out between workshops!)
Turn around toward the corner of the convention center and Bell & Howell #3473 will be on your right as you head down the aisle to MyCarPage #3483, recognizable by the big painted floor, scenic 16 foot high backdrop and traffic light in front. They are having drawings for valuable prizes. Come see the all New PROSPECTOR solution. Please welcome their new director of sales, Corey Tocchini, and meet Michael Moskowitz, president, Bryce Benjamin, CEO, and Rick Lantz, vice president. These poor fellas don't get out much!
A little further down is Performance Leasing System #3285. They will have a blackjack table set up for anyone who would like to beat the house. I guess that's where I'll spend the rest of my time. In addition, they'll have pens and canvas bags as giveaways. At the show they'll be introducing an all new Windows Version of their LeaseScan software. It will be available in both touch screen and mouse-driven scenarios. Stop by and visit with their newest regional sales managers, Larry Martin and Scott Brender. Maybe they'll let you win at blackjack!
Heading toward your blood pressure check at NADA Health Services in the corner will be Carfax #3490 and Auto eDirect.com #3693. If your blood pressure checks out okay, then go to the beginning and start the walking tour all over again.
Thanks for coming along with me this year; if I left out anyone, I apologize. If I got you lost, get used to the feeling, because there is a lot of new technology out there. Hopefully during the next year, we'll do a good job of helping you find your way through this maze of new technology in future issues of Digital Dealer magazine.
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