Wireless data products and services firm Aether Systems, Inc. is forming a strategic partnership with MSN Carpoint, the most visited car buying and ownership site on the Web, to provide dealers with wireless access to Internet sales leads. Through the partnership, Aether’s wireless lead management solution, NetSearch, will be integrated into Dealerpoint, Carpoint’s most widely used customer relationship management tool.
The new service combines wireless and Internet-based technologies from Aether and Microsoft to deliver a solution for managing leads. Through the integrated package, Dealerpoint and NetSearch will provide dealers with instant access to Internet generated sales leads via the Research in Motion (RIM) 950 and 957 wireless handhelds. Though initially available on RIM handheld devices, the use of Aether’s technology allows for future adaptation of the solution on any wireless device and network.
With the solution in place, dealers can respond to potential buyer inquiries whether out of the office or on the showroom floor. The package also includes 24-hour network support, device fulfillment, training, end-user support, and Blackberry by Aether, the e-mail solution by Research in Motion.
“Web-based customer relationship management (CRM) is a mission critical service that benefits the entire dealer sales organization and related manufacturers, not just an Internet specialist using a PC,” said Todd Weatherby, director of industry services for MSN Carpoint. “This new wireless service empowers all sales people — anywhere, anytime — and improves dealer profitability by increasing close rates, sales staff productivity, and the consumer buying experience.”
Added Marc Nassos, director of strategic partnerships for the Owings Mill, Md.-based Aether, “As the Internet evolves into a key lead generation outlet for dealerships, the ability to immediately respond to online customers wirelessly, becomes increasingly important to maintaining a competitive edge. We believe that implementation of wireless lead management solutions are the natural next step for dealers and manufacturers doing business over the Internet and the combined NetSearch and Dealerpoint solution will serve as a key resource among the 5,000 plus MSN Carpoint customers seeking the most comprehensive management tool. ”
Dealerpoint, currently licensed to all Ford, Honda, Acura and Isuzu dealers, is compatible with more than 100 lead generation services, all of which are eligible to receive the wireless lead solution through this agreement. Additional Dealerpoint features include a home page for consolidating and posting daily tasks for new sales leads as well as for follow-up leads. Dealerpoint also offers multiple user accounts for salespeople and tips and information for improved sales results. Dealers are able to track their results by accessing any one of the 13 real-time reports offered. Beginning this spring, dealers can register online for this new service through their Dealerpoint account.
Aether is located on the Web at http://www.aethersystems.com.