Autobase Chooses Gateway Hardware to Rev-Up Customer Relationship Management Applications in Auto Industry
Nation's Leading Automotive CRM Software Distributor Selects Gateway Servers and PCs to Stay on the Inside Track
POWAY, Calif., Sept. 18 -- Car dealerships across the nation are shifting their customer relationship management (CRM) solutions into overdrive, fueled by a new relationship between Autobase, Inc. and Gateway, Inc.
As a leading provider of PC-based network sales information systems for automotive dealers, Autobase has selected Gateway as its recommended hardware provider to the thousands of dealerships it serves nationwide. In addition, Autobase has selected the company as the hardware supplier for its own IT infrastructure, purchasing significant numbers of Gateway servers, desktops and notebooks.
"As the industry leader for automotive CRM and sales force automation solutions, our customers depend on us to deliver applications that work all day long, every day of the year," said Bryan Anderson, Autobase president. "Gateway has worked hard to understand the kind of partnership we need with our hardware supplier -- taking the time to match our high-availability needs with appropriate systems, and offering dedicated support and services around-the-clock, seven days a week."
As part of the affiliation, Gateway hardware is bundled with Autobase software, which features powerful and interactive logbooks, letters, business planners and statistical reports. Ultimately, the software helps dealerships close sales by building and maintaining strong relationships with customers.
"Autobase selected Gateway as its hardware supplier of choice because Gateway professionals took the time to understand our needs and deliver solutions that satisfied them," said Eric Gellenbeck, Autobase hardware engineer. "Sometimes I communicate with my dedicated Gateway representatives five or six times in a single day. I've come to think of them as employees, not just my hardware vendor."
Gateway's affinity relationship with Autobase is the latest effort from the company as it transforms itself from a traditional PC maker to a branded integrator of technology solutions. As a branded integrator, Gateway will launch an array of branded products across a host of new categories for the balance of the year, and will integrate those products into customized solutions for its business customers. For more information, visit http://www.gateway.com/about/ir/pdf/gtw_webcast_01a_035.pdf .
Gateway will be joining Autobase at the 87th Annual National Automobile Dealers Association Convention and Exposition in Las Vegas, Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 2004. More than 500 companies will exhibit for more than 26 hours during the four convention days to demonstrate the latest technology, services and products for automotive dealers. Autobase will be on level one of the Central Exhibit Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center in booth #2225.
About Gateway
Since its founding in 1985, Gateway has been a technology and direct-marketing pioneer, using its call centers, web site and retail network to build direct customer relationships. As it transforms itself from being a leading PC company into a branded integrator of personalized technology solutions, the company's line of Gateway-branded products is expanding to include digital TVs, DLP projectors, tablet PCs and systems and networking products and services. Gateway is America's second most admired computer company, according to Fortune magazine(1), and its products and services received more than 125 awards and honors last year. For more information, visit www.gateway.com .