Powersports data standards established
Motive Retail has just announced the release of a new, standards based solution for integration of systems across the powersports industry. Powersports Data Standards (PDS) offers a comprehensive approach for powersports manufacturers and other suppliers to enable data sharing and tighter coordination with dealers.
Developed in conjunction with leading manufacturers BRP, Kawasaki, and Polaris, these standards are now transforming and accelerating the development and deployment of integrated dealer systems throughout the industry.
Improving operational efficiencies, enabling standardized processes and access to modern, high performing software for dealerships to run their businesses were all key objectives behind the development of PDS. The business and technical complexities powersport dealers face today has never been higher with multiple brands per store and rising expectations from consumers based on their experiences with other types of retailers.
Until now, the powersports industry has lacked a standardized solution for dealer system integration. As a result, OEMs, dealers and software providers alike have been held back in supporting the type of consumer experience they all want. Simplified ordering processes, higher parts availability and better service technician support across vehicle types are all examples where an improved consumer experience is possible if dealers have easy access to this information.
The PDS Solution aims to correct this by using a two pronged approach:
- Providing Technical standards – XML and REST
- Offering automated process and tools to accelerate DMS and other system integrations
“Integrating the systems used by dealers with manufacturers and other key players is an imperative for the future health of the industry,” says Delton Bohlman, Director of Dealer Development at powersports innovator, BRP. “The arrival of a standards based approach will improve the software available to our dealers, helping them to continue to flourish.”
David Yeargin, director of Strategic Initiatives for DX1, a dealership management platform for the powersports industry, commented further, saying how “PDS is long overdue and will provide great benefits for dealers and consumers. Data integration has always been a challenge, and we have been working with the OEMs since 2012 to define standards by which all data will be structured.”
Kris Denos, vice president and general manager of CDK Global Recreation, a division of dealer software provider CDK Global, sees PDS this way: “CDK Recreation (formerly ADP Lightspeed) is committed to working with our OEM partners to create efficiencies, saving our dealers valuable time and increasing their bottom line profits. Standardizing these important integrations that we have been delivering since 2008, allows us to be an active conduit for the OEM to the thousands of dealers in our network.”
Adoption of these standards and integration technology will bring much needed change to the powersports industry, with significant benefits to powersports dealers and consumers. Additional information about the PDS solution is available from Motive Retail through email or by visiting www.pdsdealers.com.
