February 19, 2010
Computing power
Dealers use software to manage inventory, other functions
By: Mike Manges
Dealers agree that inventory management is an important function provided by software products and packages.
More tire dealership software products and services mean more options for tire dealers. What’s the most important function provided by tire shop software? We recently posed that question to several dealers.
Point-of-sale management is a critical function, says Don Frisby, owner of Frisby Tire Co., a five-store dealership in Ottawa, Ontario.
“If you had to give it priority, you’d have to say that’s the number one thing — then inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable, etc. It’s all integrated into our software.”
His salespeople can check inventory at other Frisby Tire locations, as well as the company’s warehouse. Pricing information also is immediately available.
“We set up automatic re-order points for each SKU,” especially fast-moving items. “We tweak it and play with it and adjust it for seasonality. It’s a great tool.
“I think one of the tricks to software is finding out what’s going to work for you. There are reports (in your software) that might be of use or might not be. You really have to mine it and find out what works for your company.”
Roger Porter and his brothers have four Porter’s Tire Stores locations, with another on the way.
The 57-year-old passenger and light truck tire dealership is based in Morristown, Tenn.
With multiple stores, you need “the ability to track what goes on at each store,” says Porter. “Even from my home, I can log on and monitor exactly what’s going on. It’s a system of checks and balances that begins with the point of sale.
“I’m just beginning to discover the control I have in terms of pricing, inventory management, tracking salesmen and what they’re doing, what our stores are doing by themselves, and what their profit margins are.”
Sign up for our Enews and receive the latest news, trends, and product information right in your e-mail inbox.