NADA Convention 2010 Wish List
February 08, 2010
Historically, the NADA Convention provides a calendar focal point for new product and service releases from software companies. The show is also a great place to see a large number of folks in a relatively short period of time. So, what would we hope to see this year?
1. Let’s see the DMS companies separate legitimate security concerns from self-serving data access controls. Data security is fundamental, and we all recognize the importance of maintaining a secure, authorization-controlled approach to accessing data in all dealer systems. That goal is best handled by giving dealers the tools to monitor and enable access to their employees and service providers. And, that goal can be achieved without arbitrary, poorly camouflaged efforts that target all external access. In the real world, dealers rely on a whole important group of resources, inside and outside the store, to make the business run. If the dealer authorizes someone to access a system, then that person should be able to get their job done, without arbitrary interference.
2. Let’s see a broader understanding of the ripple effect of DMS purchasing decisions (or, better yet, get rid of the ripples). If the DMS companies are successful in placing toll gates and toll booths and locks and chains on data access, dealers need to understand the impact of a DMS contract or extension on other key stakeholders. Most new ideas and most lower-cost solutions in this market come from smaller companies -- and those companies and the dealers that embrace those new ideas are at risk when contractual terms and cost parameters limit innovation and data access. Let’s be certain that dealers understand fully that some DMS companies more fully embrace the importance of other service providers.
3. Let’s see pricing transparency for data access programs. So-called ‘certified’ programs could be part of the solution here. Standard interfaces and services that provide data to other companies, and provide a means to move data between programs, are a great idea. These solutions are used in many markets and industries. One of the keys to their success is pricing transparency. If the pricing is standard, then everyone benefits from a complete and common understanding. Dealers benefit because they understand the ripple effect of a DMS purchasing decision; DMS companies benefit from broader interest in their programs; service companies benefit from a level playing field in terms of data access costs.
Here’s hoping we see some progress on these data access fronts during NADA 2010.
Have another thought or something you hope to see? Let us know!
1. Let’s see the DMS companies separate legitimate security concerns from self-serving data access controls. Data security is fundamental, and we all recognize the importance of maintaining a secure, authorization-controlled approach to accessing data in all dealer systems. That goal is best handled by giving dealers the tools to monitor and enable access to their employees and service providers. And, that goal can be achieved without arbitrary, poorly camouflaged efforts that target all external access. In the real world, dealers rely on a whole important group of resources, inside and outside the store, to make the business run. If the dealer authorizes someone to access a system, then that person should be able to get their job done, without arbitrary interference.
2. Let’s see a broader understanding of the ripple effect of DMS purchasing decisions (or, better yet, get rid of the ripples). If the DMS companies are successful in placing toll gates and toll booths and locks and chains on data access, dealers need to understand the impact of a DMS contract or extension on other key stakeholders. Most new ideas and most lower-cost solutions in this market come from smaller companies -- and those companies and the dealers that embrace those new ideas are at risk when contractual terms and cost parameters limit innovation and data access. Let’s be certain that dealers understand fully that some DMS companies more fully embrace the importance of other service providers.
3. Let’s see pricing transparency for data access programs. So-called ‘certified’ programs could be part of the solution here. Standard interfaces and services that provide data to other companies, and provide a means to move data between programs, are a great idea. These solutions are used in many markets and industries. One of the keys to their success is pricing transparency. If the pricing is standard, then everyone benefits from a complete and common understanding. Dealers benefit because they understand the ripple effect of a DMS purchasing decision; DMS companies benefit from broader interest in their programs; service companies benefit from a level playing field in terms of data access costs.
Here’s hoping we see some progress on these data access fronts during NADA 2010.
Have another thought or something you hope to see? Let us know!
