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Manhattan Projects Announces RepairTalk

17 November 1999

Manhattan Projects Announces RepairTalk, an Interactive Voice-Response Tool for Auto Dealership's Service Department

 CRM-Based Interactive Voice-Response Tool Enables Service Writers to Better
 Manage Customer Repair Orders, Saving Dealership and Customers Precious Time

    TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 17 -- Manhattan Projects, LLC
(http://www.manhattanprojects.net), a software development company focused on
innovative customer relationship management (CRM) solutions for the automotive
retailing industry, today announced the release of RepairTalk(TM), an
interactive voice-response server that provides service writers with a better
way to manage repair orders.  Designed by Mike Sage, Manhattan Project's
founder and a former auto dealer, RepairTalk addresses some of the fundamental
needs of today's automotive retailers.
    "As Internet sales continue to ramp up, a dealership's service center is
rapidly becoming the key point of entry for new and existing customers.  It's
a well-known fact that dealerships with efficient service centers are better
able to maintain long-term customer relationships, driving repeat sales," said
Mike Sage, President and CEO of Manhattan Projects.  "RepairTalk is the first
product we've introduced and it is part of a complete CRM suite that aims to
help dealers track and maintain customer contact throughout the ownership
lifecycle."
    By automating repair order information, RepairTalk minimizes the time
service writers spend on the phone answering routine questions, freeing them
up to work on more revenue-driven tasks.  In addition, customers will have
immediate access to their repair order status -- without the aggravation of
being put on hold -- freeing them up for more important things.
    Once a customer chooses to dial into RepairTalk, using his repair order
number as a PIN, he can easily check his vehicle's repair status.  Service
writers can leave personalized outgoing messages to customers to inform them
of any special repair needs and customers can opt to approve the service with
a push of a touch-tone button.  If the customer wishes to speak to a service
writer, RepairTalk will deliver the call while simultaneously transferring the
repair order information onto the service writer's computer screen.  This
marks a degree of efficiency never before seen at a dealership's service
department.
    "Time is today's most precious commodity -- and one customers are
constantly looking to save," continued Sage.  "RepairTalk benefits both the
dealership and consumer by increasing customer satisfaction and enabling the
service department to focus on revenue generation."
    Designed to work seamlessly within the dealership's current operations,
RepairTalk interfaces with all popular dealer management systems (DMS), such
as Reynolds & Reynolds, ADP and Dealer Solutions.  Currently being tested at
several California-based dealerships, Manhattan Projects is preparing to bring
this time-saving tool to auto dealerships throughout the U.S.
    Manhattan Projects' CRM suite will ultimately fill the entire circle of
the car-buying process -- from service and repair to shopping and ownership.
In addition to capturing data to build customer relationships, Manhattan
Projects' CRM suite will empower dealers with tools that will substantially
increase productivity and, in return, increase profitability.

    About Manhattan Projects
    Torrance, CA-based Manhattan Projects, LLC (http://www.manhattanprojects.net) is
a software development company creating innovative technology solutions for
the automotive retail industry.  Its suite of customer relationship management
(CRM) tools promises to change the way auto retailers work with and manage
their customers.  Manhattan Projects' CRM suite (including RepairTalk(TM) 2.0,
ServiceMan(TM) and SalesMan(TM)) is currently in beta testing at key North
American dealerships.  Founded in 1999, Manhattan Projects evolved out of
Autonet, Inc., an e-commerce solutions developer for the auto industry.  The
Company is financed by The Lentz Group, a high-tech venture capital firm.