Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/33237
NEW PRODUCTS Ideal Computer, Bob Clements International work to streamline the service process for OPE dealers With the busy season in full swing for outdoor power equipment dealers, it’s essential to have their service department well organized so units can come through their shop as quickly and efficiently as possible. Ideal is aiding in that process with a new feature that allows dealers to color-code work order statuses. When combined with Bob Clements’ color-coding ribbon scheme for equipment repairs, deal- ers can dramatically streamline their service process and get repaired equipment out to their customers with a quicker turn- around time. Clements and Ideal’s Lead Trainer Dave Baumgarten edu- cated Ideal users on this process, as well as other ways to cre- ate a high-performance dealership at a recent Ideal training seminar in Orlando, Fla. Clements recommends that dealers devise a color-coding ribbon system to help differentiate between pre-diagnosed equipment, diagnosed, waiting on parts, parts received, waiting for customer approval, completed, and dispose. This color-cod- ing system can then be selected for the same work order statuses in the Ideal software so both counter people and technicians can be on the same page. This process can also help dealers bring more money into their shop. “Many dealers have given up the thought of having a profitable service department,” said Clements. “We know with the right processes and a good business management system that great profits should be not only possible, but expected.” “Adding colorization to the status of an order gives both end users and managers the ability to quickly identify which jobs and how many jobs are at what stage of the service process,” added Baumgarten. “This can be done without analyzing reports or looking through each job to determine its current status. It also allows for the service manager to quickly adjust the department’s resources, as appropriate, to en- sure an efficient operation. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!” Ideal Computer Systems, Inc. ARI’s PartSmart to feature Hydro-Gear’s complete product line ARI, a provider of technology-enabled business solutions that help dealers, distributors and manufac- turers in selected vertical markets increase revenue and reduce costs, recently expanded its offering of OPE manufacturer parts catalogs on PartSmart to include Hydro-Gear’s complete product line. Under the exclusive 3-year agreement, Hydro-Gear, lo- cated in Sullivan, Ill., will provide ARI with the parts, pricing and support data for its line of high-performance hydro- static transmissions, gear reduction drives, piston pumps, wheel motors and accessories used on residential and commercial riding and walk-behind mowers. ARI will man- age, convert, publish, support, and distribute the data. The catalog is currently available, and will be updated quarterly. PartSmart is ARI’s premier parts lookup software known to more than 50,000 users worldwide. It pro- vides the fastest way to find the right part the first time, featuring a contemporary Windows user interface that offers more information with fewer keystrokes and mouse clicks. PartSmart interfaces with more than 90 dealer business management systems to drive even more efficiency. PartSmart offers time- saving features, including easy navigation, a single log in, a single and familiar user interface, updates via the Internet, and thumbnail browsing. ARI ENM unveils T44 Series hourmeter with CMOS EEPROM technology ENM Company’s new T44 Series hourmeter has a 6-digit/7-segment LCD display with a flashing hourglass icon. Accumulated hours are stored on a powerless, non-volatile data backup using CMOS EEPROM technol- ogy, and the data is retained for at least 25 years. This low-cost, small- size, AC/DC voltage-compatible hourmeter with solid-state electronics is Epoxy encapsulated. ENM Co. For more information on these products, please visit www.greenmediaonline.com/productportal. 34 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com