Chrome Inventory Everywhere Streamlines Inventory Data Management Process for Large Dealer Groups and Inventory Service Providers
PORTLAND, Ore.--Oct. 1, 20048, 2004--| Latest Release Can Export Multiple Photos of Same Vehicle To AutoTrader.com |
Chrome Systems Corporation, provider of automotive data, configuration technology and commerce solutions, announced today the release of Chrome Inventory Everywhere(TM) (CIE) 5.1, the latest version of Chrome's inventory data polling, editing and Web-posting tool. Effective with this release, CIE 5.1 users will be able to import data from multiple dealerships or multiple lots for distinct dealers, and manage the inventories separately in an automated fashion.
Additionally with this release, managers can now export multiple photos for new vehicles to AutoTrader.com, the Internet's leading auto classifieds marketplace and consumer information website. Version CIE 5.1 includes Chrome's automatic update system (AUS) scheduler. Once the AUS feature is activated, the client's computer automatically checks for new data and application updates in an unattended mode, based on either a daily or weekly schedule, whichever works best for the client.
CIE enables the display and description of vehicle inventory data online, allowing consumers to get a complete description of vehicles in stock, with details beyond what is normally available by simply decoding a VIN. The product combines DMS inventory records with Chrome's New Vehicle Data to produce the most specific details about actual vehicles.
"It (CIE) allows us to focus on the business of selling cars, as opposed to the daily grind of keeping data up to date," said Ralph Goddard, Director of E-Commerce, Dimmitt Chevrolet. "The time you spend managing data is time you take away from selling cars."
Inventory data can be polled from most major dealer management systems (DMS), including Reynolds & Reynolds, ADP, and UCS. Once imported, the data can be edited then exported to any major Web service and appear on such sites as AOL, Autobytel, AutoTrader, Carpoint, Cars.com, eBay Motors, StoneAge, Vehix and Yahoo Classified. Exported data is automatically formatted to fit the requirements of each service provider.
CIE only imports vehicles that have changed in the DMS since the last import operation, resulting in fast import times. CIE also includes stock photos for 1997-2003 model year vehicles and can automatically attach those images to inventory data, ensuring every vehicle description exported to the Web has a photo.
"We're constantly improving CIE to make sure it meets the real-world demands of showcasing vehicles over the Web," said David Mingle, president of Chrome Systems. "Studies have shown that online shoppers expect to see what's available on the lot. If you can't show it, you can't sell it."
CIE combines with Chrome Inventory Search(TM) (CIS), a Web site vehicle locator tool, and Chrome Carbook(R), a leading Web-based vehicle configuration and comparison tool, to offer a full "build and locate" online solution for automotive commerce.
Chrome Inventory Everywhere(TM) (CIE) 5.1 is available immediately and will be featured at Booth 3221 during the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) 88th Annual Convention and Exposition in New Orleans, January 29-February 1, 2005.
About Chrome
With more than 13,500 clients, including half of all automotive dealers in the U.S. and Canada, Chrome provides vehicle content, software, technology and services to deliver complete enterprise solutions to all segments of the retail automotive industry. These segments include manufacturers, fleet companies, dealers, Internet sites, and financial institutions. Chrome pioneered the technology behind electronic vehicle configuration with the introduction of PC Carbook(R), and since 1986 has collected, analyzed and enhanced "raw" automotive data from all manufacturers.