Pierre Auto Group Implements Stronghold Technologies' DealerAdvance in All Four Seattle Based Dealerships
BASKING RIDGE, N.J.--Sept. 15, 2004--| In July 2004, Pierre Achieves 42% of Total Cars Sold Through Appointment Setting with DealerAdvance |
Stronghold Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SGHT), the developer of DealerAdvance(TM), an enterprise software system using wireless and Internet technologies for the automotive retail industry, today announced that it had completed the implementation of DealerAdvance(TM) in all Pierre Auto Group stores in the Seattle area. The three year estimated value of the contract is $465,000.
Utilizing the system and processes from Stronghold, the four Pierre dealerships, Harris Ford, Pierre Ford, Pierre Dodge and Pierre Chevrolet, have created a focused follow-up process that is generating over 40% of total cars sold through appointment setting. The system has supported their move to utilize Business Development Centers in each store.
According to Shane Pierre, the President of the Pierre Auto Group, "DealerAdvance(TM) provides the front end information capture capabilities and the ability to assign follow-up tasks to sales people that is allowing us to optimize all customer and prospect sources. The sales people are more productive in following up with prospects and setting appointments to get them back in the dealership to buy. This system is helping us sell more cars."
Scott Guthrie, the GM of the Harris Ford store, and the first adopter of DealerAdvance(TM) for Pierre said, "We have seen progressive increases in unit sales with the implementation of DealerAdvance(TM). I can now more reliably predict sales through our focused approach to follow-up and appointment setting. We looked at a number of CRM systems, and DealerAdvance(TM) had the best solution for us, and provides the best support that we have found in this industry."
"This is an extremely important relationship for Stronghold. Shane and his executives have been instrumental in advising us on modifications to our system to improve performance. We are really excited about the results that they have achieved. They have become one of our "best in class" performers on follow up results," commented Chris Carey, CEO of Stronghold."
Roger Botton, the General Manager of the Pierre Dodge store, mentioned, "I was pretty impressed with how quickly we were able to get up to speed on using DealerAdvance(TM). Stronghold provided consulting and training services that allowed our sales people to get productive right away. We are seeing some impressive results through our follow-up efforts."
Stronghold Technologies, Inc. (www.strongholdtech.com) is an innovator in applying wireless technology and process improvement methods to increase business efficiency and sales. The Company has developed an integrated wireless technology called DealerAdvance(TM) which, among many features, allows automobile dealers to capture a customer's purchasing requirements, search inventory at multiple locations, locate an appropriate vehicle in stock and print out the necessary forms. Through an integrated CRM (Customer Relationship Management) application, the system sends detailed tasks for prospect and customer follow-up and produces management reports to measure compliance. DealerAdvance(TM) allows sales professionals to increase sales, improve customer follow-up, and reduce administrative costs.
Pierre Auto Group is Washington State's leading auto retail group, selling multiple brands and used cars. Established over 50 years ago, Pierre has achieved leadership in their given markets.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("the Securities Act"), as amended and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the timing of revenues due to the uncertainty of market acceptance and the timing and completion of pilot project analysis, and other factors, including general economic conditions, not within our control. The factors discussed herein and expressed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed in or implied by such statements.
