What is the Dealer Connect System?
The Dealer Connect System is a combination of Microsoft Dynamic platforms that connect and share data in real-time. The Dealer Connect System also aligns the functionality across the dealer network using Central Connect, Sales Connect, and Tech Connect.
Dealer Connect Current Event: A Smooth Upgrade of Dealer Connect
Dealers who have been through system upgrades with Dysel ELC or other software are painfully aware of the severe challenge often presented by upgrades. They can be extremely labor-intensive, require extensive changes to dealer processes, and cause severe disruption to go-live. One of the reasons Microsoft’s Business Central system was chosen as the core of Dealer Connect was that its “extension” approach allows industry customization while preserving the core Microsoft functionality.
The first Dealer Connect pilot dealer, MidSouth, just completed an upgrade from BC15 to BC18… and it was amazingly smooth! The upgrade process started with external testing to identify any impacts of the upgrade on the Dealer Connect industry-specific functionality. Because of the extension approach mentioned above, very few issues were found. MidSouth then received several hours of training to be able to use the upgraded features and performed testing in their own Dealer Connect instance. When the upgrade was executed over a weekend, the system worked exactly as expected with only a few minor tweaks. What a difference compared to dealer system upgrade experiences in the past!!!
Meet the Dealer Connect Team
The Dealer Connect team is leading this development effort with three pillars of activity:
- Product Development
- Implementation & Dealer Relations
- Operational Support
In this month’s newsletter, we are going to focus on the Dealer Connect Operational Support pillar:
The Dealer Connect Operational Support pillar is led by Cari Genier.
Cari has been with Toyota corporate for 22.5 years. She came to the Dealer Systems team in April of 2021 to build out the operations and support pillar for Dealer Connect. Over the years, she has worked on compliance, managed the application support team, worked on the original implementation of the LMS, and worked on the original implementation of SAP and CRM along with upgrades and enhancements through testing documentation and training. Cari also managed the dealer sales team and worked with our various manufacturers. Before coming to TMH, Cari worked for ProLift (one of our Toyota dealers) for 4 years.
The Dealer Connect Operational Support pillar is made up of four sections:
Support
The support was provided after going live with the Dealer Connect system (DealerConnect@toyotatmh.com)
Continued support of the Dealer portal, including access to various Toyota systems (Dealer.Support@TMHU.toyota-industries.com)
Accounting and Licensing
Managing all Statements of Work for implementations, POs, and invoice management
Acquiring and managing all needed Microsoft licenses for the Dealer Connect system
Assisting with accounting-related support items
Data Management
Tracking of Gold Standard Dealer Connect data
Reviewing data to and from the Dealer
Managing customer merges
Training
Reviewing all training content created and conducted by our implementation partners
Creating WalkMe content for “real-time” training within the Dealer Connect system
Dealer Connect Direct Quotes
“Over the past year, I have been building out what is needed for this pillar and filling all of the support positions. In the next several newsletters, we will explore each one of these support areas, the people responsible for supporting each area, and how each area will provide support to the dealers.” – Cari Genier, Operations Support Manager
Dealer Connect System Demo Schedule
July 2022 Dealer Connect System Demonstration:
For July, we will be demonstrating the functionality of the Sales Connect “Finance” process. Please come join us as David ONeill facilitates a high-level overview of how dealers using Dealer Connect navigate the Finance process.
Dealer Connect Demo for: July 2022
Topic: Finance
Presenter: David ONeill
Date: 07/15/22
Time: Noon ET
How: Please use the link below to join the session. No registration is required.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 812-463-3719,,403639624# United States, Evansville
Phone Conference ID: 403 639 624#