MACRO Systems Will Help Ford Increase the Sale of Accessories
24 January 2000
MACRO Systems Will Help Ford Increase the Sale of Automotive Accessories
SAN DIEGO--Jan. 24, 1999--Visualization Software to Capitalize on the
$20 Billion Dollar Automotive Accessory Market
MACRO Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of High Technology Solutions, Inc. (HTS), announced today that it has signed a contract with Ford Motor Co. to provide its Virtual Dealership(TM) System visualization software to Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealerships throughout the U.S.
The deal, which creates a multi-million dollar revenue opportunity for MACRO, will help Ford dealers further enhance their ability to capture a larger portion of the $20 billion dollar accessory market.
The Virtual Dealership System is the only interactive configuration and visualization tool that allows automotive customers to select the exact make, model, color and version of their chosen vehicle and add desired accessories from a database that includes thousands of options. Using this system, dealers can help their customers create an interactive, real-time image of their vehicle, customized as desired.
When installed in Ford dealerships nationwide, the Virtual Dealership System will provide the customer with the ability to configure and visualize the vehicle. The system also will interactively update the vehicle invoice throughout the accessory configuration process, provide the option to purchase those accessories, and ultimately, will link that order to the dealerships' parts and service departments.
In addition, the Internet Accessorizor(TM), another MACRO solution, enables potential customers to access the power of the Virtual Dealership via the Internet.
"With new car pricing information readily available on the Internet, well-informed consumers are rapidly changing the dynamics of the new car sales process," said Larry Prior, president and COO of HTS. "With the introduction of MACRO Systems' Virtual Dealership System and the Internet Accessorizor to select dealerships, we expect to dramatically increase the sale of the automotive accessories we offer to customers."
Until now, dealers have had to rely on paper-based catalogues and the number of vehicles on their lot -- or the dealer's down the street. Want to see that Mustang convertible in laser red, with a tan soft top, fog lights and the GT trim package? What about a new Explorer with ski racks, Eddie Bauer trim, running boards, and in a stunning spruce green? Or, would you prefer black? The Virtual Dealership creates all of those vehicles for you, and if you don't like what you see, you can alter your vehicle until you see what you like, all with the click of a mouse.
"With the widespread availability of our Virtual Dealership System and Internet Accessorizor solutions, the car buying public is no longer limited by its imagination," said Allan Camaisa, founder, chairman and CEO of HTS. "Using our technology, auto buyers are now able to actually see how the different accessory and color combinations that Ford offers look on the vehicle of their choice, all with the click of a button. Our vision is to streamline that visualization and ordering process, creating more efficient supply chain management for the automotive accessory industry and ultimately take our model beyond that industry."
"There is absolutely nothing else like this on the market," added Jeff Divine, MACRO Systems executive vice president. "The applications that exist online today provide a very limited visualization capability and simply do not address the accessory sales process the way that our system does. We're excited that Ford Motor Company has chosen to work with us as we race to be number one in this space."
To learn more about the Virtual Dealership System and the Internet Accessorizor, or for a product demo, please stop by the MACRO Systems booth no. 2521 or visit the Ford Accessories booth no. 226.
About High Technology Solutions, Inc./MACRO Systems
High Technology Solutions, Inc. (HTS) is a privately held information technology firm building and applying dynamic visualization software and innovative Internet business solutions in the automotive, commercial and select public sector markets.
MACRO Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of HTS, is pioneering a complete visualization and transaction platform for computerized commerce in the high-growth automotive accessories market. MACRO Systems applications include the Virtual Dealership(TM), a turnkey approach to visual automotive customization processes, and the Internet Accessorizor(TM), a Web-based approach to interactive configuration tools.
With its advanced Kiosk Engine 4.0 software, HTS has led the industry in designing and implementing interactive touch-screen technology for organizations and corporations nationwide. This industry-acclaimed technology features a user-friendly interface, seamless Internet access and back office management capabilities, and has recently expanded to include cellular and wireless LAN capabilities.
HTS has been listed for three consecutive years on Inc Magazine's List of 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America, and has also been awarded the Ernst & Young Internet Software Award and the Deloitte & Touche "Fast 50" Award. For more information please visit our Web sites at www.htshq.com and www.macrosystem.com.
Note to Editors: MACRO Systems, Virtual Dealership System and Internet Accessorizor are registered trademarks of High Technology Solutions, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are properties of their respective companies.