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• 2008

CARBON: S&T rolls out all-in-one IT solution for auto dealers

Bald GmbH is the first German dealer to run CARBON

The car trade experts at S&T DACH (Germany-Austria-Switzerland ) developed CARBON for use at auto dealerships working with single or multiple brands at one or more locations. CARBON, an all-in-one SAP solution, builds on SAP Dealer Business Management to deliver brand and sector specific information and interfaces, a management cockpit to monitor key figures, and process-integrated customer management. Workshop, parts supply and accounts have been managed with CARBON at a Bald Automobilgesellschaft mbH pilot location since January 2008, resulting in subsequent productivity increases in new and used vehicle sales, controlling and customer relationship management. After this successful trial, all of Bald Automobilgesellschaft mbH’s locations have been working with full CARBON systems since the beginning of April. “National and international expansion at auto dealers and trade groups, means that legacy dealer management systems are no longer able to cope with changing demands,” explains Christian Rosner, CEO S&T. “Our custom solution CARBON is different – it is designed with the future in mind. Beyond managing core processes, its additional comprehensive and integrated features provide dealers with the support they need to succeed in a tough competitive environment. Its modern IT platform makes it an extremely safe investment.”

Capitalizing on opportunities for improvement

CARBON delivers significant and sustainable optimization in the areas of new and used vehicle sales, parts and accessories sales, service workshop processes, accounting, controlling, and human resource management. All essential management information is collected at a central location, yet thanks to modern IT infrastructure, can still be accessed by the entire workforce. The solution’s additional advantages include centralized vehicle, customer and part information, comprehensive, flexible and timely reporting with on demand management information, the ability to plan specific actions or campaigns, and cost and performance transparency on all levels. The SAP industry standard provides peace of mind when it comes to compliance and investment security.

Converting auto customers into service customers

Auto dealerships may no longer rely solely on car sales to generate revenue. Additionally, they are turning to increasing service sales. To obtain additional revenue, auto dealerships need to understand how to convert vehicle purchasing customers into long-term service customers with an interest in further products and services. CARBON helps auto dealers to serve customers seamlessly throughout the entire lifecycle, from purchasing a vehicle, to maintenance, right through to acquiring a new vehicle. “CARBON helps us create the conditions for dynamic growth. Finally our core processes are integrated and holistic,” explains Tobias Bald, Managing Director at the auto dealership. “It also provides opportunities for financial transparency and controlling, which gives us the information we need for management decisions. This puts us several years ahead of the competition.”

Group wide sales

“S&T offers CARBON to all customers in the auto trade throughout the 22 countries in which the S&T Group is active”, explains Christian Rosner. “We’re beginning the rollout of the solution in the DACH region. At the same time we’re expanding marketing and sales activities in all other S&T countries.”