Getting to Know Dealer Connect
Dealer Connect, from a 30,000-foot view, is a computer system that TMHNA is developing to support all aspects of dealer operations including, but not limited to, Equipment Sales, Service, Parts & Parts Sales, Rental, Project Management, and Finance.
The system is being developed using two Microsoft platforms: Business Central (BC) and Customer Engagement (CE) as the baseline. We have been receiving input from hundreds of dealer personnel to understand what customizations are necessary so that the system will provide world-class support for our North American dealers.
The Dealer Management System (DMS aka Dealer Connect) is leading this development effort with three pillars of activity:
- Product Development (Managed by Chad Crouch) – Chad and his team are continuing to enhance the current version of Dealer Connect. This effort will continue for years into the future as we build new functionality to make the system easier to use for dealers and ultimately provide increased value to our customers.
- Implementation and Dealer Relations (Managed by Brad Klosinski) – Brad and his team are engaging with dealers to educate them as to the value that the system can bring to them and their customers, support the efforts of individual dealers as they decide to implement the system for their operations, and assist in the coordination of the implementation.
- Operations Support (Managed by Cari Genier) – Cari has established a team to provide a support desk for dealers as they move onto the system, which includes training, data review, and licensing support as needed.
At this time, we have built the system, tested it, and implemented it with two TMH dealers:
- Toyota Material Handling Midsouth in Nashville, TN
- Southwest Toyotalift in Mira Loma, CA.
We are currently working with dealers to select the next dealers to come on the system in 2022 and are identifying personnel to expand our department team and that or our external partners so that implementation efforts can be as streamlined and smooth as possible. Stay tuned for a deeper dive into each pillar/team in future Dealer Newsletters.
MEET THE TEAM
Each month, we would like to introduce you to a member of the Dealer Connect team and give you a brief bio about who they are and what they do. This week, we are starting with the Dealer Connect ship’s captain, Darren Reighard – Senior Manager, Dealer Systems & Operations.
Darren grew up in Vestal, NY (the same region as Greene, NY, where the Raymond Corporation is located). “When our counterparts at Raymond talk about happenings in Greene, I have great memories of growing up in that area, and I can reference everything from the local AHL hockey team to other towns and where the best pizza and ice cream places were back then.”
Darren began his career with TMH on July 26, 2021, and he knew from the beginning the team needed to grow immediately and exponentially. He was confident in his new role based on his previous experience at Volvo Construction Equipment and knew exactly what was needed to take the Dealer Connect team to world-class status. Under Darren’s leadership, the team has more than doubled since this past summer. The department is on track to grow to full strength of 20 team members.
As our ship’s captain, Darren works tirelessly to bring out the best in everyone. Darren is a firm believer in servant leadership and runs the department like a tight-running ship. Darren removes obstacles to clear the way so his team and valued dealership partners can be successful in both calm and unexpectedly rough seas.
THE Dealer Connect TEAM IS GROWING: The TMH Dealer Connect family is growing. Please join us in welcoming a new member to the Dealer Connect family:
- Sean Fox (Dealer Engagement Project Manager) – Sean is responsible for the collaboration with both TMH Product Management and Support teams. Sean is responsible for the overall Project Management for the Engagement, Implementation, and Dealer Relations to ensure a smooth transition to Dealer Connect related support and that the necessary coordination is seamless.
DEALER QUOTE:
“We are excited to have gone live & are looking forward to taking full advantage in utilizing a system like Dealer Connect that will give us a fully rounded out solution. To have ERP, CRM & Field Service all in one package will allow us to realize efficiencies we hadn’t in the past. We have been ramping up for this for a few years now & we are finally here!” – Kirt Little Southwest Toyotalift Dealer Principal
CURRENT EVENTS
SWTL Go Live Review and Kaizen Planning:
On February 24, we hosted a day-long workshop in Columbus with our partners, Sikich and Accenture, to celebrate the Southwest Toyota Lift implementation and go-live and to capture the key lessons learned while the go-live was still fresh in our minds. The team focused on the final data migration process and worked through a 5-why analysis of problem areas to understand root causes and recommend countermeasures for future implementations. We are excited about how this analysis work will benefit future dealers as they take this important step in their digital transformation journey.
Dealer Connect Demo Videos are now published and available in the solution center on the Portal:
From the Quick Links area on the home page:
- Click on the “Solution Center” link
- Click on “Dealer Connect Demos”
- Click on a Demo video
Next Month’s Demonstration:
April 2022 Dealer Connect System Demonstration:
For April, we will be demonstrating the functionality of the Business Connect Equipment Sales Ordering Process. Please come join us as Chad Crouch facilitates a high-level overview of how dealers using Dealer Connect navigate the Equipment Ordering process.
Dealer Connect Demo for: April 2022
Topic: Equipment Sales “Ordering”
Presenter: Chad Crouch
Date: 04/22/22
Time: Noon ET
How: Please use the link below to join the session. No registration is required
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+1 812-463-3719,,982195308# United States, Evansville
Phone Conference ID: 982 195 308#
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Dealer Connect DEMO SCHEDULE:
