Opportunities to streamline internal processes and optimise operations exist even for well-run parts departments. In fact, there are several solutions parts teams can easily leverage to help enhance customer service and create a stronger bottom line. Most parts departments have their go-to parts ordering tools - one for collision, one for mechanical, and even more - that the team uses to receive, process, and fulfil orders.
In theory, it's simple: orders come in, the team responds quickly, and the parts go out. There are, however, times when things don't run so smoothly and not because the parts team made a mistake. As most know, managing parts orders can quickly become a time-consuming hassle, especially when you factor in a frustrating parts payment process, having too many systems that don't work together, a lack of visibility into business trends and customer behaviours, or worse, customer retention issues and limited resources to address the matter.
These are just a few areas where your parts department could benefit from a little optimisation - and that means becoming more efficient, productive, and profitable. Here are a few tips for dealership optimisation that make a big impact on your operations & your customers' experience:
1. Streamlining parts transactions
A seemingly endless amount of complexity is built into automotive parts and components. Even the supply chain that moves each part is impressively sophisticated. In the end, you would think that paying for the parts - the actual transaction between shop and dealer - would be, well, the easy part. Not so fast. The payment process for parts ordering (as shops and dealers agree) is anything but simple.
Inefficient and outdated payment processing practices are still the prevailing method for many shops and dealers. Whether this means having a delivery guy sit at the shop and wait for cash or issuing and mailing paper invoices (not known for their efficiency), it shows a clear need for process improvements. When your dealership is equipped to handle parts transactions quickly, you make the process easier for your shops and your team, giving everyone more time to work and deliver better results.
“When your dealership is equipped to handle parts transactions quickly, you make the process easier for your shops and your team.”
New parts payment processing solutions offer secure, streamlined approaches that are both user friendly and cost effective.
Just think, what could the team do if they weren't bogged down by manual transaction processing? How much time could you put back in your day if you could automate the ordering, payment, and reconciliation process? Just the increase in efficiency from reduced cycle times on receivables would go a long way. When your dealership is equipped to handle parts transactions quickly, you make the process much easier for your shops and your team.