Merchant's Inc. has contracted with CarParts Technologies Inc. to provide its 112 tire and service centers with an automotive service management system and Trading Network technology.
The new partnership calls for CarParts Technologies to consolidate the management of Merchant’s 112 stores, located in the Mid-Atlantic region, "with an integrated version of its multi-store auto service management system."
The system will allow each Merchant’s location to operate independently, utilizing an in-store, centralized database with real-time connectivity.
"Merchant’s is customer-service focused, and the state-of-the art integrated solution designed by CarParts Technologies will allow us to become even more customer centric," says Michael Riggan, CEO of Merchant’s. "Not only will this system help us increase customer loyalty and retention, but it will lead to ongoing database marketing opportunities."
The new auto service management system provides training, ongoing help-desk support, updates to software and programs, and ongoing updates to third-party databases including parts catalogs, labor guides and factory-scheduled maintenance databases.
CarParts Technologies' XML-based Intelligent Trading Network will enable Merchant’s 112 stores to rapidly place orders over the Internet.
Merchant's, based in Manassas, Va., is the fourth largest independent tire dealership in the United States, according to Modern Tire Dealer's Top 100 Independent Tire Store Chains list. It has 110 retail stores and two commercial centers.
