Chuck Hartle is the founder and president of PartsEdge, a powertool for New Car Dealerships Parts Operations, helping to increase DMS utilization, improves efficiency, accuracy, and profitability with solid and consistent plans for eliminating all types of idle inventory in a Parts Operations. With over 40 years in the auto industry Chuck has the know-how and love for the industry that has enabled PartsEdge to identify the biggest needs of dealerships.
Firstly, one major action involves ensuring that you're inputting all data gathered during the outage back into the CDK system. Chuck emphasized the importance of recording parts sales manually, either through repair orders or counter tickets. As soon as CDK resumes functioning, parts managers should begin by entering their data systematically.
Additionally, Chuck noted that effective teamwork between the service and parts departments is essential. The service department must rebuild repair orders and labor types, while the parts department adds parts necessary for closing those orders. This collaborative approach ensures that no crucial step is overlooked.
Moreover, Chuck recommended a little-known function in CDK: the PO function, known as “post orders.” This function simplifies the process by allowing users to input data easily. Chuck stressed that this function can speed up data entry and help parts managers catch up more quickly.
One frequent concern that Chuck addressed is the order in which tasks should be completed. According to Chuck, it's crucial not to wait for all receipts before creating counter tickets. The system can accept negative entries, meaning it can auto-correct as you input data. Therefore, starting with data entry immediately allows for more timely updates and less backlog.
Furthermore, Chuck highlighted the need for special attention to customer orders, especially those requiring parts not initially in inventory. These orders need accurate updating to ensure no parts are left unrecorded. Maintaining meticulous records will prevent errors and ensure smooth operations.
Chuck stressed that recapturing all lost data won't happen overnight. Managers should anticipate spanning this process over two or three days, depending on the size of their operation. Meanwhile, it’s essential to keep accommodating current sales to maintain customer satisfaction.
A major lesson from this outage is the need for a robust catastrophic backup plan. As Chuck pointed out, technology failures are inevitable. Storing backup data, such as customer lists, price codes, and inventory pads externally and separately from the DMS can save a lot of headaches for future interruptions.
Chuck recommends initiating bin cycle counts once the system stabilizes. This helps ensure that all parts are correctly logged, and inventory levels are accurate. It’s an excellent measure to confirm if the recapture process was thorough and precise.
While this outage might create a temporary fear of technology, Chuck believes it’s vital not to pull back from technological advancements. Instead, this event should serve as a reminder for the industry to balance manual processes with tech-driven efficiencies.
Finally, reflecting on the outage, parts managers should consider what worked well and what could improve. By learning from this experience and sharing these lessons, the entire industry can create a stronger, more resilient framework against future disruptions.
Chuck suggests reviewing and updating the catastrophic backup plan regularly. Doing so ensures your team is prepared for future disruptions. Additionally, CDK and other DMS companies should also take steps to enhance system security and reliability.
In summary, the recent CDK outage served as a wake-up call for the entire industry. With proper planning and collaborative efforts, parts managers can navigate these challenges more effectively. By implementing strategies like comprehensive data entry, interdepartmental coordination, and robust backup plans, the industry can emerge stronger and more resilient. Future episodes of the Parts Girl Podcast will continue to delve into such pivotal topics, helping you stay ahead in these uncertain times.
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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Their strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you’re looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com.
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“We have to make sure we keep some critical files somewhere at the dealership.” -Chuck Hartle
Chuck Hartle
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-hartle-1923ab14
Website: www.partsedge.com
Kaylee Felio
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl
Website: www.partsed