Techwatch February: developments in dealer technology

The monthly Techwatch feature by Automotive Management outlines some of the last month's highlights in motor retail technological developments.

By Alex Wright

Oodle Car Finance is adopting new point-of-sale technology from iVendi to support its ambitious growth plans for 2025.

The move will allow Oodle to offer its motor finance products to a larger network of dealers, enhancing both online and showroom sales.

Ciara Raison, chief commercial officer at Oodle, explained: “A major part of our expansion plan for the next 12 months is simply to reach more dealers and their customers, enabling them to transact with us quickly and easily. iVendi are helping us achieve just that.”

Raison said the adoption of iVendi’s technology will position Oodle at the forefront of the digital transformation taking place across the motor finance industry.

“As more dealerships embrace cutting-edge technologies, Oodle’s move to adopt iVendi’s technology places us at the forefront of the sector’s evolution, streamlining the finance process for dealers and customers alike,” she said.

She added that the partnership would enable Oodle to maintain high levels of compliance while continuing to deliver the rapid response times. “Our innovative approach combines cutting-edge technology, flexible financing options, and exceptional support to help dealers close more deals, faster,” Raison stated.

Oodle, which has offices in Manchester, Oxford, and London, currently works with over 500 UK dealerships and serves more than 100,000 motorists.

“We’re already inviting new dealers to join this programme using the iVendi technology and are beginning to roll out availability of our products to them,” she added. “The initial response has been encouraging and we’re excited to see how this project develops during 2025.”

James Tew, CEO at iVendi, said: “Oodle has a reputation as an innovative motor finance provider that is fast to recognise the potential of new technology, and we are delighted to be working with them.”

Tech firm MAD Devs has launched a new digital aftersales department as part of its cloud-based iStoreDOCS document management system to streamline service and repair processes for dealerships.

The new module offers dealerships comprehensive control over service-related documents and processes. By centralising all documentation, the platform allows service teams to securely access records anytime.

Dan Rea, sales director at MAD Devs, highlighted the potential of the service module: "The iStoreDOCS service module centralises all documentation for vehicle service and repairs, allowing teams to access documents anytime, anywhere securely.

“With iStoreDOCS' customer portal, dealerships can inform clients of their vehicle's service or repair status, offering unprecedented transparency and enhancing customer satisfaction."

The module also enables dealerships to send real-time video messages and SMS notifications, offering customers instant updates and facilitating quick approval for repairs or replacements.

By integrating video and SMS communication tools, dealerships can ensure faster customer decisions, accelerating the repair process. The platform’s customer portal keeps vehicle owners informed about their service progress through secure, real-time updates.

For dealers, the service module reduces administrative burdens by providing a precise, date- and time-stamped record for warranty claims not only simplifies claim submissions but also saves valuable time by minimising paperwork.

Advanced encryption protocols safeguard sensitive customer information, while digital records support compliance with industry standards throughout the service process.

Non-prime motor finance specialist Advantage Finance has launched its enhanced customer portal, MyAdvantage.

Developed in partnership with creative agency Stanley & Co, the upgraded portal enables customers to easily access their agreement and payment details, review transaction histories, download statements and update personal information. It also uses a secure email and code-based login system to enhance security and convenience.

Karl Werner, Advantage Finance CEO, said: “We’re very proud to launch this major upgrade to our digital and personalised customer portal – MyAdvantage. Providing broader and simpler access for customers is at the very heart of Consumer Duty and we’re especially pleased with the enhanced functionality our service now offers in our highly specialised market.

“Whilst digital innovation has traditionally been the reserve of ‘prime’ markets, this latest development perfectly illustrates our firm belief that all customers deserve the very best products and services a lender can offer. It is central to our approach and strategy that we will continue to increasingly build cutting edge products and services for the specialised, and often underserved, non-prime market.”

Marketing Delivery has launched a software tool that enables retailers to reach their sales and aftersales customers via social media platforms in a more targeted and cost-efficient way. The new Dynamic Custom Audience tool allows them to automatically upload real-time customer data direct from their dealer management system (DMS) into marketing campaigns built in Meta platforms.

This avoids from having to carry out the traditional time and labour-intensive manual uploads to these social platforms. It also enables more advanced targeting than other solutions, allowing retailers to run tactical campaigns. For example, retailers can segment customer data within a defined period of time, opening up opportunities to make the first move rather than wait for the customer to approach them.

By pulling ‘first-party’ data – real-time information relating to the customer’s preferences and the stage in their ownership journey – direct from the DMS, retailers also won’t be restricted by any future limitations introduced by regulators that govern the use of third-party cookies.  

This launch follows the introduction of Marketing Delivery’s Offline Conversions API, which can identify and track the proportion of enquiries and orders that can be attributed to a retailer’s paid content on Facebook and Instagram. By integrating with the retailer’s lead management and dealer management systems, Marketing Delivery’s VoiceBox software, makes it easier for retailers to track the return on their investment in social media advertising campaigns.

Charlotte Murray, managing director at Marketing Delivery, said: “Tracking the success of social media adverts has traditionally been laborious and often intangible when compared to other digital media channels, and that makes it hard to justify future spend. Now we can provide more clarity, allowing retailers and their marketing departments to plan more effectively and also determine the types of campaigns that deliver the best outcomes.”

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