The latest update by Openbay Inc. gives consumers access to a tire catalog, pricing, availability and scheduling options.
The company has integrated tires into Openbay Otis, its advanced online chat platform. Otis is added onto a tire dealer's website and allows consumers to search for tire brands, retrieve pricing and availability and book installation appointments all within the chat system.
Additionally, Openbay has created Otis Banners, which allows businesses to display important messages or promotions atop the Otis chat window. Those messages could cover safety precautions or other modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic, or any other important message.
"The relationship between the consumer and automotive service businesses has officially gone digital," says Rob Infantino, founder and CEO of Openbay. "Consumers now approach vendor selection by educating themselves on the types and quality of service being offered. It's online research first. Convenient and fast access to information drives consumer decisions and is what separates businesses online. Having an advanced online chat platform that can instantly deliver information such as tire services and safety precautions builds trust relationships with today's digital-first consumers now and in the future."
Tom Ceniglis Jr., CEO and president of the multiple-location Tom's Tire Pros in Texas, is using the tool to help his business adapt.
“Given the recent and rapid shift by consumers to online in search of vehicle drop-off and no-touch services, we are now focused on aligning our business to accommodate the needs of this knowledgeable, digital-first consumer," says Ceniglis. "Having Otis with its new tire feature positions our business to meet the expectations of online consumers in search of tires, automotive services, and the steps we are taking to ensure safety for our employees, customers and the vehicle being serviced. Today’s consumer expects personalized information in real-time and made available when it’s convenient to them – which is 24/7. Openbay Otis allows our business to effectively communicate with our website visitors and customers while delivering the experience they require now and in the future.”
The platform's newest features include:
- tire and pricing information delivered by vehicle year-make-model, tire brand, and size;
- the ability to book tire installation services and capture consumer contact information;
- support for staggered fitments for vehicles;
- the ability to cross-sell other tire-related services to consumers while shopping for tires; and
- Openbay Banners that sit atop the chat window to keep important messages top of mind.
