Augmented reality diagnostics and workflow apps feature at AM Live

We bring you an update from just three of the many suppliers exhibiting at Automotive Management Live 2019 on November 7 at Birmingham NEC.

RDS Global

IT, technology and cyber security company RDS Global will bring its ‘black box’ concept to life at this year’s Automotive Management Live event where the newly launched product makes its debut.

RDS Black Box is a Management Information System (MIS) which collates data from multiple feeds and systems operating on different platforms including the DMS, CRM, sales tracking, telephony and even CCTV systems, bringing everything together into a single database platform. Enabling all information to be viewed in one place provides dealers with a business overview that was previously impossible and allows tangible and meaningful action to be taken.

Whilst RDS Black Box is a highly technical piece of software that integrates and collates with all other dealer systems, the RDS Global team will illustrate its application with a large black box on its stand complete with technological insights.

The system, which has its launch at the expo, has been piloted with a handful of dealers and launched locally in Derby, but the Automotive Management Live show provides the company with its first opportunity to showcase its product to the wider sector.

Managing director Phil Harvey said: “Explaining software and what it can do for businesses can feel overly technical sometimes so as we are launching a brand new product which we think will be hugely impactful on dealers, it was imperative we came up with a way to demonstrate the RDS Black Box which is as innovative as the product itself.

“Dealerships are a minefield of data and information but this is invariably collated by a myriad of systems which are disconnected. Short of downloading all available data into spreadsheets and comparing manually, it is practically impossible for dealers to obtain an overall picture of their business.

“As a company borne out of the IT needs of a Derby-based automotive dealer group which quickly extended to deliver IT solutions for the wider automotive retail sector, we were only too aware of the frustrations that existed. We set about coming up with a solution that brings everything together in one place and we are looking forward to demonstrating how it works at Automotive Management Live.”

RDS Global will be at stand at C26.

Oracle

Computer giant Oracle exhibits at Automotive Management Live for the first time this year after teaming up with Yamaha Motorcycles to develop the next level of diagnostics which uses augmented reality (AR) to create a 3D image of the bike to identify issues.

In partnership with Yamaha, Oracle has enabled the motorcycle manufacturer to digitise its routine service process. Technicians can access manuals and a wealth of Yamaha data as well as integrating with Oracle’s CRM programme thereby making the service far more efficient. A faster, more streamlined and digitally integrated system speeds up the service process means more throughput for the workshop and higher levels of customer satisfaction.

However, the future of servicing will also change using AR as technicians and customers will be able to use (AR) glasses and bike sensors plugged into Oracle Internet of Things Cloud Service, to identify faults.

At its stand, Oracle will have a Yamaha motorcycle on display and visitors will be able to use AR glasses to find faults, check solutions and even access step-by-step instructions. The data will also provide workshops with information such as the length of time it takes an individual technician to complete a job. Technicians will also be able to pre-diagnose issues potentially fixing faults before they become major problems again delivering additional efficiencies and providing an exceptional customer service.

Oracle automotive account director Callum Atkinson said: “The technology will genuinely revolutionise the workshop not only bringing together a number of applications already in use in the workshop such as technician tracking and diagnostic tools, but will apply AR in a very practical and business orientated manner bringing benefits to the workshop and customers.

“The technology is taking diagnostics and the connected vehicle to the next level and it is extremely exciting. The day when the laptop is considered as old fashioned a tool as the spanner is in today’s modern workshop is on the horizon.”

Oracle will be featuring its AR project with Yamaha at stand C36.

Reynolds and Reynolds

Automotive software solutions provider Reynolds and Reynolds is launching two new applications at this year’s Automotive Management Live.

IDW – Integrated Deal Workflow, is a new and highly advanced business function that mirrors the way in which the dealerships of today want to operate. The new software manages vehicle sales order and invoice processes, all the way from showroom and into accounting delivering an electronic ‘workflow’ led solution.

Martyn Morgan, business development manager, said: “In real terms, this means a vehicle order marked as sold in the Contact Advantage CRM platform now automatically creates the full deal details in the POWER vehicle sales module, ready to be invoiced. We think this will save between 15 and 30 minutes per deal to process in the administration office.”

DSM – Dynamic Service Management, brings the progress of repair orders or JOBS through the workshop to life. It includes a wallboard that can be mirrored into the workshop, so that technicians and managers can see the progress on a large screen in real-time. The various views in DSM allow the workshop controller, service advisors, sales administrators, and the technicians to have a tailor made and customisable view of the workshop and all activities.

With thousands of users of the DMS in the UK and many tens of thousands more in the US, Reynolds and Reynolds’ DMS has been in continual development for almost 50 years. Visitors to its stand can enjoy barista coffee, tea and hot chocolate whilst there will be other give-aways too.

Morgan added: “The UK, for the reasons we all know, is a difficult and hesitant market at the moment. We are working hard to secure new business, but equally are working very hard to bring new and useful software to market and not holding back on our substantial investment.”

The company, which has supported Automotive Management Live each year, will be demonstrating POWER, its DMS which sits at the centre of its Retail Management System or RMS.

Other platforms can also be incorporated including Contact Advantage, its CRM, showroom and lead/hub solution in use notably across the Nissan retail network which can also BE integrated with finance sources, CitNOW and a number of FCA compliancy platforms; Aptus is a web building and support/maintenance service; and RITS (Reynolds Integrated Telephone system) is its digital IP phone system providing immediate access to records and processes in the DMS. The two new applications are also integrated into the company’s RMS.