What is “The Cloud?”
Simply stated, the Cloud is a network of servers used to provide online services and store and share data. The Cloud has replaced a number of software service and storage providers by creating solutions that live entirely on the internet.
In the Automotive Aftermarket
As software-as-a-service native Salesforce.com soars toward a $40B market cap, the Automotive Aftermarket may be wondering when the industry that virtually created business computer systems fell so far behind. Perhaps the better question is, what can business owners in the automotive aftermarket do to get out of the computer hardware business and get back to their day-jobs: selling auto parts?
Contrary to recent history, the Automotive Aftermarket was never intended to be the test-bed for disk operating system (dos) based and windows based computer systems. Suppliers who invested in systems that could handle tracking and selling millions of SKUs had to become IT experts.
Thanks to the cloud, the dog days are over and costs have plummeted. Owners no longer have to maintain back-ups, install software and purchase compatible hardware directly from the vendor, the biggest value of the cloud is and has always been, the drastically discounted cost of ownership and ease of use.
Benefits of The Cloud:
Real-Time Solutions
Cloud-based solutions allow you to access your business solution from anywhere, at any time, on any web-enabled device without any software installation. Most importantly, all of this happens without any effort or process required by the customers who are accessing the real-time solution via a web browser or app.
Disaster Recovery
Because everything is backed up on the cloud, you never need to worry about a power outage or computer malfunction erasing or corrupting your data.
Automatic Software Updates
Feature enhancements are pushed out like new auctions on eBay, eliminating legacy “release versions” and perhaps most importantly, if a bug is discovered it’s fixed within minutes and solved for all customers simultaneously, in real-time.
Price Point
One of the biggest pulls to move to the cloud, especially for businesses, is the cost – or lack thereof. Over the lifetime of Rev Parts Management Software, there are no additional expenses regarding our system. Meaning: our customers never have to buy a new server or system update. Updates happen in real-time and all our customers receive them as they occur.
Our pricing is based on our market using a rooftop model. We do not charge more per user, seat or terminal – just one flat monthly fee for each location.
Increased Collaboration
The Cloud makes it easy to collaborate with partners across different locations and platforms, giving you the ability to connect with suppliers, coworkers, and customers instantaneously.
Competitiveness
In an online marketplace, failing to utilize the Cloud can put you at a disadvantage against the competition. Staying ahead in the automotive aftermarket begins at the software level. Using the cloud provides the greatest benefits for both you and your customers.
E-Commerce Cloud Solutions
With B2B sales slowly taking over the industry, combined with the average parts store using a half-dozen vendor websites, internet connections are no longer convenient: they’re imperative. With the advent of solutions like Cradlepoint, real-time failover routers can now be purchased through all major cell phone companies. They offer real-time, hands-free failover internet options that keep companies online at all times. You know it has to be stable if fast-food chains like McDonald’s use it. These failover ISP devices are ideal now that cloud solutions are delivered via the internet as well as web-orders and EDI connections.