Technology & Transactional Data Representation for the Auto Industry
 
The newly established National Auto Industry Technology Association has been formed by founding members; Darryn Crothall - General Manager – TSI, David Boshier - General Manager – AutoPlay, and Mark Greenfield - General Manager -  Limelight Software (Motorcentral).
 
“We felt whilst there are other associations within the industry that have done and do an outstanding job for their respective members and the segments they represent, there was still a need for total industry representation from a technology perspective. Collectively we have had growing numbers of dealerships asking for something that they can be members of, which can represent them with regards to this ever evolving segment around technology and the use of data”
 
As the interaction between consumers and dealerships continues to grow in a virtual environment, NAITA plans to be well positioned to aid the industry in adapting to expectations of consumers, governing bodies and service providers.
 
NAITA aims to provide its members and the industry with:
-          Standardisation – connectivity standards between suppliers/service providers, classifications of vehicles and consistency of data. This leads to creating efficiencies, reducing costs to businesses and the end consumer.
-          Compliance –disclosure & legislative real world impact around transactional data at point of sale.
-          Liaison/Voice/A trusted independent - helping government/council understand the needs of the industry. A source of data collection for utilisation that better informs users enhancing the benefits of purchasing within the dealer network.
-          Training – supporting and innovating national and global standards. The industry needs to educate the public through actions as to the difference between purchasing privately, and through a dealership.
 
NAITA’s first call to action is they will be seeking to apply on behalf of their members for special authorisation from the NZTA to access the Motor Vehicle Register as a representative body, with disciplinary powers. This has come about from the upcoming changes to Class Authorisation for access to the MVR, which comes into effect in October this year.
 
NAITA provide key advantages with regard to this authorisation for its member and the NZTA around;
-            Compliance and tracking of transactions and usage
-            Ability to provide training and eLearning on correct usage and compliance
-            Full ability to audit transactions down to user level
-            The speedy completion of vehicle transaction at point of sale and or service
-            A single point of communication
-            Ability to limit or remove access based on miss-use
-            A high-level of security around all data and customer information
-            Technology and how it is used within the motor industry.
 
The three initial founding members of NAITA are technology providers within the motor industry with collectively over 1000 dealerships across new & used, over 2500 aftermarket suppliers, and over 15,000 users daily. Membership will be available to corporate suppliers within the industry along with respective networks of AutoPlay, TSI and Motorcentral.  
 
We are very excited and passionate about the future of the motor industry within New Zealand, especially with what can be achieved if we collaboratively work together to ensure its long term success.
 
If anyone wishes to make contact with NAITA regarding membership, then please email info@naita.org.nz
 
Mark Greenfield
Founding Member
National Auto Industry Technology Association
info@naita.org.nz     +64 21502289
 

The latest version of the AutoPlay Sales Pipeline for iPad, iPhone and Desktop is now available. 

To download the latest Desktop update just visit https://automotive.autoplay.co.nz and loging and the update will apply.  If you have previously installed the Desktop icon when you next login in it will detect there is an update and then ypou will need to log out and in again to apply it.  If you are unsure look at the bottom left for your version number.  You need to be on version 16.4 to get the features below.

​On iPad and iPhone if you don't have your device set to automatically update versions then you'll need to check your app updates or revisit the app store and search for "AutoPlay Automotive".

In the latest version....

Bulk Allocate Leads from a Deleted User
When a User is Deleted from AutoPlay using the Desktop Studio it is now possible to bulk allocate all of their leads to another User.  This only works when actually ‘Deleting’ the User account, as opposed to changing the status to ‘No Access’.  This function is only available for AutoPlay staff so if you would like to move all leads from a Deleted User to their replacement please email support@autoplay.co.nz.

Test Drive Forms licence photos
You can now view both front and back Drivers Licence images in the Desktop Studio Test Drive Forms.

Assorted iPhone Improvements

• You can now edit previously created leads in the Sales Pipeline for iPhone. 
• If a User has forgotten to select a primary Listing when first loading the lead they can now do so at any point from the general Lead tab on the iPhone
• When viewing the Customers details on a lead from an iPhone, you can now click on the phone number to prompt a phone call

Notification to Managers on pending Appraisals
When set up with the Vehicle Appraisal Manager Approval the Sales Pipeline will send an iPad notification and email to the APPRAISAL MANAGER when an Appraisal is created and needs approval

​Easier searching Leads from the Dashboard
The User List drop down on the Dashboard is no longer conditional on Date Range in Dashboard iOS & Desktop.  This will make searching for leads easier – as no matter if there is a lead against the user in the currently visible date range their name will be visible in the drop down

Occupation & Default Yards
When capturing a lead, you can now add the Customers Occupation in iPad and Desktop Sales Pipeline.  Additionally, the Sales Pipeline will now first show you the default yard you have set up when choosing a Listing to add to your lead.

Discount Calculations on Write Up Forms
When using the Sales Pipeline to complete a Write Up Form it is now possible to enter a ‘LESS DISCOUNT %’ as well as a ‘LESS DISCOUNT $’.  Entering a percentage will automatically calculate the $ figure.

Create New Customer records directly from the Loan Car Form
It is now possible to add a brand-new Customer whilst creating Loan Car Form.  Previously it forced you to choose from your existing customer database.

Email Campaign Print Summary
When you click on the PRINT LIST button in the EMAIL CAMPAIGNS screen in the Desktop Studio it will now email the report with ‘Received’, ‘Viewed’ ‘Demo’ and ‘Opt Outs’ from all the campaigns in the report.

View Lead from Vehicle Registry
When viewing Test Drives in the Vehicle Registry you can now click through to view the Lead provided you have role management permission.

​Print Test Drive T&C's with PDF Form
It is now possible to Print the Test Drive Terms and Conditions with the Test Drive Form

Recieve a notification Email when a Wishlist match is detected.
If the role ‘Receive Wishlist Match Email’ is set up users can now automatically receive an email notification when their Wishlist is matched against a new Appraisal or new Listing.

​Larger display for writing Comments
When editing a Listing on the Desktop Studio there is now a + button which will pop up a larger space to write Comments in.

​Business Card Scanner warning message
When using the Business Card Scanner it now explicitly displays a warning message which informs you that you cannot use the Business Card Scanner to scan licences.  We are currently exploring options for a Drivers Licence scanner – watch this space!).

Improvements to the Test Drive Kiosk functionality
If you are using the TEST DRIVE KIOSK user it is now possible to add a Test Drive and/or Notes to a lead owned by another user (you still cannot allocate that lead to yourself).  When this is done the Lead Manager will be sent an email notifying them that someone has loaded a Test Drive against a lead they do not own.  The Test Drive Kiosk user uses the following rules;

1. If on the New Lead screen the kiosk user selects a different user and creates a new lead, the test drive screen does NOT show the User dropdown and the lead will be owned by the selected user.
2. If the kiosk user leaves the selection as Kiosk User and creates a new lead, the test drive screen shows the User dropdown. If a user is selected here, the test drive AND the lead will be owned by the selected user.
3. If the kiosk user selects an existing lead and creates a test drive (by clicking the + on the lead popup screen) then regardless of the selected user, the test drive will be created with the original lead’s user.

General speed improvements on Dashboard
Speed improvement when searching for all leads loaded, for all date ranges for a particular user.  Sped up from 40 seconds to 5 seconds depending on internet speed.

​If you have any questions about the new features and functionality contained in version 16.4 of the AutoPlay Sales Pipeline please email support@autoplay.co.nz