Reynolds and Reynolds Adds Tools to its Automark Web Services Offering
DAYTON, Ohio--Nov. 13, 2001--The Reynolds and Reynolds Company today introduced BrandProtect(TM) and PitStop, the latest features available within its Automark Web Solutions offering to automotive retailers and car companies.
BrandProtect allows for higher compliance from retailers to adhere to specific branding standards set by car companies while providing consumers with a more consistent brand experience. BrandProtect allows retailers to meet multiple car company standards without having multiple Web sites, decreasing the amount of work and time spent on Web site management.
According to David Boice, founder of Reynolds' Automark Web Services, "As car companies continue to take significant strides in providing consumers with the ability to research vehicles and locate retailers on-line, they are working hard to ensure a consistent brand experience for consumers visiting their Web sites and clicking through to local retailer sites. BrandProtect enables car companies to achieve this brand consistency easily and cost-effectively."
Boice said that many retailers represent multiple franchises and must maintain multiple Web sites to accommodate the car companies' brand guidelines while maximizing their local presence. "These sometimes-conflicting initiatives result in an inconsistent consumer experience, and increased cost and maintenance on behalf of the retailers. With BrandProtect, we can provide a multi-franchised retailer with multiple Web sites that have one powerful administration section and one powerful inventory download - it truly revolutionizes e-commerce for the automotive retail industry."
PitStop is a Web-based administrative tool used by retailers to review Web site statistics, customize and make changes to their Web site in real-time, review and maintain leads, and manage security. This Automark Web Services enhancement, which is the first real-time content management tool available to automotive retailers, allows dealerships to manage on-line inventory, specials and promotions, financing programs and dealership information. Currently, over 200 dealerships use PitStop.
"The functionality of PitStop gives automotive retailers the ability to take immediate advantage of local market opportunities, car company promotions and consumer buying trends," said Boice. "It also allows retailers to give their customers the most current and most accurate information available. This ability to keep dealership Web sites fresh and up-to-date results in greater customer satisfaction and a better bottom-line."
Automark Web Services from Reynolds continues to lead the automotive retailing industry in bringing the best-in-class technology and training to help retailers realize "real" results with their Internet initiatives. On average, dealerships using Reynolds' Automark Web Services sell nearly 40 percent more vehicles on-line than they did prior to utilizing the services.
"Automark Web Services are designed with the goal of achieving the highest lead submission rate in the industry. By attracting the most leads of the highest quality, dealerships will successfully sell more profitably on-line while growing and maintaining a strong customer-for-life base," said Boice.
Reynolds and Reynolds, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is the leading provider of integrated information management solutions to the automotive retailing marketplace. The company's services include a full range of retail and enterprise management systems, networking and support, e-business applications, Web services, learning and consulting services, customer relationship management solutions, document management and leasing services. To find out more about the company, its vision, products and services, visit www.reyrey.com.
Certain statements in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections of future company or industry performance based on management's judgment, beliefs, current trends and market conditions. Forward-looking statements made or to be made by or on behalf of the company may be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, forecasted or implied in the forward-looking statements. See also the discussion of factors that may affect future results contained in the company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 11, 2000, which we incorporate herein by reference. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.