10,000th Active Customer Uses Reynolds Systems to Run its Dealership

    SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 3 -- The Reynolds and Reynolds
Company today announced it has set an industry record as its
10,000th active customer has adopted Reynolds systems to run its dealership.
    The announcement was made at the National Automobile Dealers Association
(NADA) convention in San Francisco.
    Reynolds installed the record-setting system at Brighton Ford-Mercury in
Brighton, Michigan.  Brighton Ford-Mercury has deployed the Reynolds
Generations Series(TM) family of automotive retailing solutions, including
Reynolds' Contact Management and Electronic Document Management tools.
    The Reynolds Generations Series was introduced one year ago and
incorporates advanced CRM solutions and reporting tools that provide new
customer insights and information when and where automotive retailers and car
companies need it.  Built on application service provider-based modules, these
solutions are supported by a full complement of Reynolds' award-winning
professional services, support and education.
    Sixteen years ago at NADA, Reynolds introduced a dealer management system
named ERA(R). The system represented the next generation of technology and
software for automotive retailers.  The Reynolds Generations Series is easily
integrated into a dealership's existing technology -- including ERA systems --
so that customers making a technology investment can build upon it for the
future.
    "ERA systems rapidly won acceptance in the marketplace when they were
introduced in 1987 and have remained a mainstay of dealer management systems
for automotive retailers large and small," said Scott M. Schafer, senior vice
present of Sales, Marketing and Services for Reynolds.  "Today, we are also
installing the Reynolds Generations Series as the new foundation on which
automotive retailers can grow and enhance the profitability of their
businesses."
    Schafer said that the 10,000 system milestone is equivalent to installing
a dozen systems every week of every year for 16 years.
    "That's a phenomenal track record of innovation, dependability, and
performance in the industry -- and a large reason why the Reynolds name is as
respected as it is and why we are leaders in the market."
    At the time of its introduction, ERA was a new standard in automotive
dealership data processing, according to Reynolds CEO Lloyd G. "Buzz"
Waterhouse.  "When ERA was introduced, it was the first fully integrated set
of solutions for automotive retailers that reached beyond the showroom and
connected various parts of the dealership," Waterhouse said.  "It integrated
back-office, sales, parts and service, and customer information.  Much of what
we take for granted today in information technology for automotive retailing
began with Reynolds and ERA nearly two decades ago.
    "The Reynolds vision is to create a seamless automotive retailing
experience, connecting car companies, automotive retailers, and consumers.  We
made history in the industry with the strength of our ERA systems year after
year.  ERA also provided the technology foundation and market experience from
which we could develop the next generation system and technology platform, the
Reynolds Generations Series.  The Reynolds Generations Series complements what
has gone before at the same time it redefines information technology software
solutions for automotive retailing in the future."
    "When we say, 'Relax, you're a Reynolds customer,' we mean it," Waterhouse
said.  "This year, we will continue to deliver new applications for the
Reynolds Generations Series that complement our existing systems -- such as
ERA -- by giving our customers unprecedented new capabilities that can help
them grow their businesses."
    Reynolds and Reynolds ( http://www.reyrey.com ) is the leading provider of
integrated solutions that help automotive retailers manage change and improve
their profitability.  With 75 years of experience serving automotive
retailing, Reynolds enables car companies and retailers to work together to
build the lifetime value of their customers. The company's award-winning
product, service and training solutions 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 (CRM) solutions, data management and integration, and
leasing services.  Reynolds serves more than 20,000 customers. They comprise
90 percent of the automotive retailers and virtually all car companies doing
business in North America.  Its CRM consulting practices span more than 20
countries around the world.