Kalamazoo-UCS Ltd

"There is no doubt that the implementation of Zapcode has proved to be very cost effective,” added Daniels. “We see Capscan as being a key solutions provider in helping us as we increasingly roll out our solutions into Europe thanks to its unsurpassed European-wide address data.”

Head of New Product Development at Kalamazoo-UCS, Paul Daniels

The Automotive retailers are currently having a tough time, with less brand loyalty amongst customers, direct sales channels, the end of block exemption, fierce manufacturer competition and over capacity are all driving down margins and undermining profitability.

Kalamazoo-UCS Ltd is one of the leading pan-European providers of specialist computer software, services and innovative new solutions to the automotive retail market across Europe. It delivers customer-focused systems to more than 3,000 automotive retailers across Europe, ranging from single-site family-run dealerships to multi-national, multi-franchise networks. Through the provision of its advanced Dealer Management Systems (DMS), sales training and support, automotive dealers can adopt a more dynamic, pro-active approach to business.

Kalamazoo-UCS’ DMS systems, in partnership with IBM, provides dealers with the most powerful range of products and services available in the industry today, offering a managed solution option for all DMS requirements.

The Kalamazoo-UCS/IBM managed solution uses IBM’s MRX service, which includes the provision and complete system management of the IBM hardware and system software environment. Kalamazoo-UCS provides total software support for the DMS application and management of the Oracle database via the Helpdesk and will act as the primary point of contact for all solution issues.
The resilience of a managed solution is further enhanced by the provision of IBM’s disaster recovery service.

Dealers clearly benefit from such a solution by driving down initial costs when compared to that of the traditional in-dealership system. In addition this will also provide greater flexibility and accuracy in budgeting system spend over a 5-year period.

Kalamazoo-UCS integrated Capscan’s postcode return tool, Zapcode, into its Dealer Management System to provide car dealers with a facility to quickly and accurately capture addresses, to maintain customer relationships and lead to repeat business.

Zapcode returns all elements of an address that are common to a postcode entered. Zapcode saves up to 80% of the keystrokes required to enter an address, increasing operator efficiency, and ensuring that customers are dealt with quickly and professionally. This is invaluable in any environment where fast, accurate capture of an address is required.

“We are continually attempting to improve our processes so that we can add value to our customers and help them achieve their strategic objectives,” explains Head of New Product Development at Kalamazoo-UCS, Paul Daniels. “Capscan was an ideal choice for our rapid addressing needs as it is very professional and well respected, with reliable products that are second-to-none.”

Kalamazoo-UCS integrated Zapcode into its DMS portfolio to provide dealers with a quick and accurate postcode search facility. Zapcode instantly retrieves any address, including a partial postcode search option, so that a full postcode and address is found through only entering the known parts of a postcode, or even an approximation. In addition it provides a 'new for old' automatic postcode updating facility, designed to make the software simpler to use and to eliminate end-user frustration.
 
“The dealers are pleased because they look more professional through contacting customers only with correctly addressed written communication meeting their specific individual needs,” said Daniels.

One of the features in Zapcode of most use to Kalamazoo-UCS is the ability, in just a few mouse clicks, to format the address to allow instant data entry into virtually any Windows application.

“Dealers are interested in maintaining relationships with customers so that up-selling opportunities, such as servicing, insurance and warranty packages, can be sent to the right customer, at the right time and at the right address,” said Daniels.

Capscan is a leading supplier of UK domestic and international address software with over 30 years of experience in providing effective addressing solutions to companies across the globe. Its addressing software can be used online to facilitate real time data capture and in batch mode to clean existing address data.

“The automotive industry is becoming increasingly brand elastic and as such customer relationship and retention strategies are coming to the fore,” comments Capscan’s managing director, Terry Hiles. “Our solutions, which are now used in over 500 of its dealers, have enabled Kalamazoo-UCS to offer the industry the complete system they have been craving for.”

To compliment this core activity Kalamazoo-UCS also has a desktop maintenance and support business in the UK with blue chip customers across a number of sectors. With its headquarters in the UK, the company has direct sales operations in Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, and the UK, with a data-mining group, Autodata in Finland.

“There is no doubt that the implementation of Zapcode has proved to be very cost effective,” added Daniels.
 
“We see Capscan as being a key solutions provider in helping us as we increasingly roll out our solutions into Europe thanks to its unsurpassed European-wide address data.”