Dealership Management System

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A Dealership Management System (DMS) is a bundled system created specifically for car dealerships. These systems often contain software that cater to the needs of the finance, sales, parts, inventory and administration components of running the dealership. One of their functions can be automating tax returns.^[1]

DMS software typically includes support for all aspects of running a dealership such as:

Tracking vehicle inventory
Tracking sales
Finance and insurance calculations
Tracking customers (and customer follow up)
Accounting
Managing dealer website
Calculating employee commissions
Purchase order tracking
Parts inventory
Work order management
Appointment scheduling

A typical DMS installation includes a central server which stores all data, allowing multi-user access for as many as 50 or more client computers. Some installations may include thin clients. Other DMS providers use a centrally-hosted, or application service provider model.

Some new car dealerships used to be forced to use a certain DMS by their affiliated automotive manufacturer. This, however, is no longer the case due to the Block Exemption Regulation.

The two biggest competitors in the industry are Reynolds and Reynolds, and ADP.^[2]