Annually, the CRM Tool category is a competitive category with many players. This year, one company returned to the top three, two newcomers scored awards and two additional companies scored higher-than-average, garnering honorable mention in a category that’s only seen three above-average companies in the past couple years.

Claiming the Diamond Award this year is AVV, no stranger to the Dealers’ Choice Awards. In 2007 and 2008, AVV won awards in the CRM Tool category. Ed Braunbeck, general manager of AVV, said, “We are very excited to be recognized by Auto Dealer Monthly with this prestigious award in the CRM category. AVV began as an Internet lead management tool over 10 years ago and has evolved into a complete CRM offering today.” AVV’s score (a 115.5) was a whopping 28.6 points higher than the average score for this category.

Making a great showing for its first time to be recognized in the Dealers’ Choice Awards is VinSolutions, the Platinum Award winner, scoring 20.4 points higher than the group average of 86.9. Also debuting in the awards this year is eLead CRM, a veteran in the CRM industry and this year’s Gold Award winner. Attaining honorable mention by scoring above average are DealerSocket and Reynolds & Reynolds. Both companies are past award winners.