Below is a Q&A session with Seth Nagle of Blackpurl, the cloud-based dealership management platform that gives the dealers the freedom to run their organization with best-in-class solutions across departments.
Who is Blackpurl and what problem are you solving?
Hi, we are Blackpurl, a dealership management platform built with the digital dealer in mind. We provide dealers with a cloud-based platform that is mobile-friendly. It integrates with other best-in-class solutions (accounting, CRM, e-commerce, digital payment processing) and gives dealers an easy-to-use solution that is focused on the dealer of the future. We’re pretty much the opposite of modern-day dealership management systems (DMS).
What industries does Blackpurl support?
Our platform supports a variety of dealers in different industries such as Powersports, Marine, Trailer, RV, Golf Cars, and Outdoor Power Equipment.
Why would a dealership switch to Blackpurl from their traditional DMS?
As the world continues to advance digitally, we do our best to keep up to date with the current trends in tech. Though our company has always had a forward-thinking mentality, the last couple of years has especially challenged many of us to rethink the way we work so that we can continue our daily operations. We’ve come to understand that dealers need to be able to manage their business from anywhere at any time, and Blackpurl helps them to do so. As a result, dealers are upgrading from DMS to Blackpurl.
Accessible from either their computer or tablet, the dealer can get out from behind the desk and interact with their shoppers on the showroom floor or out in the lots. Plus, we also connect with one of the most popular e-commerce platforms, so clients can meet their customers as they shop online.
One of the many advantages of using Blackpurl is that the platform is built to integrate with world-class solutions in accounting (Quickbooks, Xero), e-commerce (Shopify), and CRM (DP360). This means that clients can connect their technology across the dealership, giving them the complete freedom to choose their preferred solution. By using Blackpurl, dealers can essentially run all aspects of their dealership, such as sales, parts, services, and accounting, the way they want and never have to settle for anything less.
How does Blackpurl differentiate itself from traditional DMS competitors?
Blackpurl has four main differentiating points that make it stand out from DMS.
- First, we are a true cloud platform instead of a hosted cloud platform. Blackpurl is built on Salesforce, which allows dealers to forgo hosting servers on-site and gain that extra sense of security by moving their data to the cloud. Our clients also save money as a true cloud platform does not charge any additional access fees.
- Secondly, Blackpurl is focused on functionality and capabilities—not features. We value efficiency. We’ve connected and worked with dealers across the globe to understand their pain points, and as a result, we have developed a solution that allows users to perform tasks faster while still maintaining accuracy. With as little as a few clicks, a client can do everything from selling a part to scheduling a repair to tracking a technician’s time. We’re focused on where the industry is heading, not trying to recreate the past.
- Next, we include integrations instead of All-In-Ones. Blackpurl is actively breaking down data silos and building a platform that easily connects the tech solutions that power a dealership. With strategic partnerships and open APIs, we’re creating best-in-class integrations that are changing the way dealers run their operations.
- Lastly, we prefer activations over ‘Go-Lives’. Traditionally, the industry has focused on ‘Go-Lives’ because DMSs are generally difficult to use and require a ton of resources, so selecting a ‘Go-Live’ date was essential at one point, but technology has evolved. Now, today’s world runs off activations because there are fewer costs, less risks, and proven success.
At Blackpurl, we’ve built out an extensive activation team to help dealers migrate over from their old dealership management system and get them using Blackpurl in days and weeks, not months and, in some cases, years.
Moving systems is never easy, but with the proper documentation and process, we’ve removed the traditional “pain” associated with switching management solutions. Furthermore, we provide ongoing support and house a vast knowledge base that dealers can use anytime so they can find answers as needed.
What do you want dealers to know about your company?
The technology that powers dealership management systems lags mainstream technology by 30 years. This idea of an all-in-one solution has been holding back this industry and its dealers for far too long. Fortunately, that’s not the case anymore. Blackpurl is giving the power back to the dealers to choose the best technology for their needs by providing a platform that connects their systems across departments. We’ve seen how successful this open tech model has been in other industries, and we are excited to implement it here.
How did Blackpurl get started in the dealership management software space?
Blackpurl was created by a multi-continental DMS company that recognized the core problem with the DMS model: it hasn’t changed since the late 1960s.
The vision was to create a company that could act as a gateway for dealers to transition from a 50-year-old business model to where leading businesses operate today. This means more flexibility, greater experience for customers, and lower costs for dealers.
So, in 2016, Blackpurl launched and the rest is being written as we speak.
When Dealers think ‘Blackpurl’ what should come to mind?
We represent the future. The dealership world is going through massive changes, as dealers are forced to do more with less. We enable dealers to be more successful in this ever-changing landscape. We do this by continuously striving to improve the agility, productivity, and happiness of our dealers.
As we all know, Covid-19 and the associated lockdowns affected many dealers across the globe. Because in-person activities were limited, e-commerce has started to take a much larger role. DMS never considered a world without a building. In the DMS world, dealerships are just 4 walls with fixed business hours. Nowadays, dealerships are 24/7; if a dealer doesn’t sell to a customer, Amazon will do it for them.
Like any company, it’s important to love what you do. The crew at Blackpurl brings together a variety of team members across the globe and it’s with that diversity of experience and expertise that we’re able to create such a powerful product for today’s dealers.
What should a dealer do if they want to learn more about Blackpurl?
Fortune favors the bold, head over to Blackpurl and book a demo. Our account executives will ask you the right questions to see if Blackpurl is ideal for your dealership. If so they will run you through a customized demo for you and your team.
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