Hartwell PLC is a leading, AM top 100 automotive group, representing Ford cars and commercial vehicles for over 100 years.
With 11 locations across England, Hartwell stock a wide variety of new and used cars from a range of franchises and is a servicing retailer for Ford, Renault, and Dacia too.
Hartwell’s experience of dealer management systems is fairly unique, having had a DMS provider under their ownership umbrella for a number of years previously. Although not exclusively used by Hartwell alone, the Ebbon Dacs system provided Hartwell with a solution that could be moulded. From influencing product development to directly accessing their own database, Hartwell benefitted from having more control over their DMS than is typical of the industry.
When it became necessary to move away from Ebbon Dacs, Hartwell selected a provider with a good system, but soon found the solution to be more restrictive.
Hartwell’s requirement for a more flexible DMS solution led them to seek out a DMS partner that would better suit their needs. Fast forward 18 months and we are proud to say that Gemini Systems Evolution DX Dealer Management System is now fully utilised across Hartwell’s 11 sites.
Gemini’s proactive approach to working with our partners is something that attracted Hartwell. We continually evolve and drive our DMS forward in response to our customers’ needs, hosting regular user groups (both online and in person) to discuss what dealers really want. Hartwell have already enjoyed new and useful developments as a result of this.
As you would expect, Hartwell makes good use of the many Ford interfaces Gemini offers, removing the need for its staff to rekey into multiple systems, minimising inaccuracies, and saving considerable time across all dealerships.
Another key driver to change was access to their data. Gemini Systems offers Hartwell direct access to its database via 2 methods.
- OSI – A full 2 way API that allows dealers and 3rd party integrators to interrogate and update information in the DMS in real time.
- Direct Access – Full and secure read only access to the database allowing them to produce their own bespoke reporting for directors and shareholders, alongside our extensive standard reports.
Hartwell streamlines its business processes further by taking full advantage of Gemini’s open-door API policy to integrate with key automotive partners, enabling the business to remain digitally advanced and constantly improve its efficiencies and customer service levels.
“Gemini’s open API is exactly what we need. We’re a very digitally aware company, and we needed a DMS at the heart of everything we do that is flexible and can adapt and grow and digitally advance alongside us.”James Risbridger, Group Financial Controller at Hartwell PLC
Tjekvik is the latest example of these key API integrations, with express check-ins now operating in all Hartwell’s dealerships. From initiation to implementation, the project took just 6 months with very little involvement from Hartwell required. Tjekvik’s self-service check-ins are all fully integrated within the DMS, allowing information to be pushed and pulled between the two systems automatically, without any need for double keying.
Watch our latest video on the Gemini and Tjekvik integration for Hartwell below:
