Dealers Must Upgrade Computer Systems To Meet Big Three Auto Makers' Requirements--Jackson, Rolfes, Spurgeon & Co. and Schneider Downs & Co. Offer Dealers Implementation Services
CINCINNATI--March 21, 2002--DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors have joined forces to create a standardized, Web-based format for communicating with their dealers. This means that auto dealers have to implement a book of one-inch thick guidelines, in some cases by the end of the year.
"We believe the new standard provides an excellent technology foundation for auto dealers," said Mallory Collier, leader of the automobile dealership focus group of Jackson, Rolfes, Spurgeon & Co. "These are industry standards for networks and communications which will enable auto dealers to improve the effectiveness of their operations."
Currently, many dealerships communicate with their factories with a direct, dial-up connection. The new Web-based standard will allow greater flexibility and more options.
However, the new Web-based format does open dealers to computer security risks. "An essential part of planning for implementation of these new standards should include security, anti-virus, back-up and firewall technologies," said John Stafford, shareholder in charge of Schneider Downs & Co. consulting.
The new standards will be used by the manufacturers as they develop new computer systems to enable communication with their dealers on inventory and parts ordering, order status and financial data.
Two Ohio accounting firms that specialize in serving auto dealerships have partnered to assist dealers in understanding and implementing the new standard. Jackson, Rolfes, Spurgeon & Co. in Cincinnati and Schneider Downs & Co. in Columbus and Pittsburgh can offer dealers pre and post implementation services.
About Jackson, Rolfes, Spurgeon & Co.
Jackson, Rolfes, Spurgeon & Co. is a full-service accounting and consulting firm serving clients in Southwest Ohio, including Dayton and Cincinnati, as well as in Northern Kentucky and Eastern Indiana. The firm offers a broad range of services with the single-minded goal of maximizing each client's business success. The firm's employees have a collective commitment to client success using creativity, technological tools and the resources necessary to achieve goals.
About Schneider Downs & Co.
Schneider Downs is a provider of professional accounting, tax and business consulting services. Recognized as the largest regional certified public accounting and business advisory firm in Western Pennsylvania with a growing presence in Central Ohio, Schneider Downs strives to provide extraordinary levels of client satisfaction by combining and managing its key resources - personnel and technology.
In 1999, Jackson, Rolfes Spurgeon & Co. and Schneider Downs & Co., Inc. formed a strategic alliance to provide value-added services to all of Western Pennsylvania, Central and Southwest Ohio. Combined, these offices have over 270 people serving the accounting, tax and consulting needs of clients in the regional area.