Articles for Technology / Data Management Experts

How the Durbin Bill Will Lower Your Payment Processing Costs

Wednesday, January 04, 2012
The Durbin Bill, which was a part of the Dodd-Frank Act, regulates the merchant processing costs associated with taking certain types of debit-card payments. Technology Expert Allen Dobbins explains how the bill is lowering costs for dealers who accept credit and credit card payments.

Paper is a Thing of The Past in F&I

Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Technology has impacted every dealership department, and technology expert Allen Dobbins explains how the F&I department has been impacted by technology.

Embrace Technology in the Dealership

Monday, September 05, 2011
Technology expert Allen Dobbins provides an example of how dealers are using data to help with inventory management and discusses what he sees for the future of the car-buying process.

Five Tips for a Stronger Dealership Website

Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Technology Expert Allen Dobbins shares five tips for dealers who want a strong Web presense.

Effective Uses of Technology in the Dealership

Monday, May 30, 2011
Technology expert Allen Dobbins discusses the importance of updating the technology that helps run a dealership to compete in today’s right-now society.

Proper Planning for Implementing Technology

Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Allen Dobbins of AutoStar details some of the pitfalls of implementing technology solutions in business and discusses some of the helpful technologies that emerged in 2010.

How Do You Know if Your Software is Compliant?

Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Allen Dobbins - Many dealers have issues with software and its compliance. The unique thing about software and compliance is that they touch virtually every aspect of a business. There are some important steps you can take to safeguard your business when it comes to compliance issues.

Can a Dealer Management System Take You to Nirvana?

Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Allen Dobbins - Choosing the right dealer management system (DMS) can keep an owner awake at night. Pick the wrong one, and it will affect employee morale, which could result in high employee turnover, drive productivity to the ground and lead to a negative impact on the bottom line.

Making Your DMS Work For You

Monday, August 23, 2010
David Keller - The computer software system used in your dealership should work for you. It should provide you information needed to operate your business, analyze your departments’ profitability and efficiency, and review your expenses and other account details.

Training Gossip Doesn’t Work: Implement a Method of Training that Does Work

Friday, April 04, 2008
Jeff Smelley - The average individual experiences a 10 percent to 15 percent retention rate of new information presented during a typical training session. Therefore, multiple training sessions are required to reach the 80 to 90 percent knowledge level for above average performance.

Get More Out of Your Computer

Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Jeff Smelley - There are some important computing jobs that get put off, or just do not get done, because they take a long time to run or slow your computer to a crawl. You no longer have to put off such tasks because you don’t have time during the work day. Schedule these jobs to be run automatically when you aren’t there.

Protecting Your Money The Low-Tech Way

Saturday, January 12, 2008
Jeff Smelley - In what’s transitioning to a cashless banking environment, you must carefully inspect credit card authorizations, electronic funds transfers and payment authorizations.

The Backup Server

Thursday, December 13, 2007
Jeff Smelley - The first solution for a backup server is to buy a system exactly like your production server, providing a simple and quick solution in the event your production server experiences problems.

Keep Your Computer In Shape

Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Jeff Smelley - Many of us find out computers slowing down and/or having aggravating little problems that conspire to rob our time, patience and productivity. Here are a few common problems and what you can do to fix them, as well as prevent them.

New Wireless Options On The Horizon

Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Jeff Smelley - Early next year the FCC is scheduled to auction additional airwave space to wireless providers. In so doing, Kevin Martin, chairman of the FCC, proposes to remove the restraints which cell phone providers have enjoyed for years.

The Cost Of Data Vulnerability

Thursday, August 23, 2007
Jeff Smelley - Data access is a matter of providing each employee with availability of the information and resources required to perform their jobs optimally while blocking unfettered access to other information which may be sensitive in nature.

Avoiding Serious Down Time: Backing up your Computer System

Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Jeff Smelley - How much time would be required to get back to an operational level? Are you sure you have all of your important data copied onto a secure, reliable media for recovery? How often are your backups done?

Windows Vista: To Adopt Or Not

Monday, July 02, 2007
Jeff Smelley - Microsoft’s new Windows product has a “new” look and feel, new features, and improved this and more of that. Microsoft’s literature promises greater productivity, enhanced entertainment, easier use and a plethora of other feel good ...

End Antivirus Overkill

Saturday, June 02, 2007
Jeff Smelley - A successful Internet security policy, when practiced, will provide the highest degree of protection while not adversely impacting your computer’s performance or encroaching on your work day.

Upgrade Or Replace
When Your Computers Need Help

Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Jeff Smelley - Simply put, upgrading can produce marginal results for a marginal period of time. Replacement is safer than upgrading, requires less knowledge and may ultimately be cheaper.

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