Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plans to phase in a new computer operating system for its retailers during the second half of 2006.
Goodyear's TireOps system will replace the Akron, Ohio-based tiremaker's current Goodyear Business Management System (GBMS).
Enhancements that will come with the switch from GBMS to TireOps include increased technical assistance, expanded tire fitment information, service interval recommendations, the ability to order non-Goodyear SKUs and others, says Mike Leach, general manager, information technology, for Goodyear.
"We're trying to make it easier for dealers to do business with consumers and for dealers to do business with Goodyear."
GBMS is currently used at more than 2,000 locations.
TireOps, which is a Windows-based system, is being tested at several independent tire dealerships throughout the United States.
It will be previewed at Goodyear's upcoming dealer meeting, which will be held Feb. 2-5, in Nashville, Tenn.
