Advanced Dispatch Technology Helps Dealers Adapt and Thrive Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Problem: 

An operations manager of a busy five-location dealership recently called Elite EXTRA  in a panic: Two of his drivers had tested positive for COVID-19, and he was looking for a way to preserve his business while keeping his employees and customers safe.

The Solution:

The Elite EXTRA Customer Experience Center (CEC) spun up its web-based dispatching solution for him so that by the afternoon, he had access and visibility to all five of his locations’ delivery operations right from the comfort of his home.

With so many workers out of the office, dispatching directly from home or even from a driver’s device has limited direct contact between individuals, while still providing the same communication abilities as working together in person.  

The CEC also reminded him of photo capture POD, a way to do “contact-free” deliveries to protect drivers and to give customers peace of mind. This technology provides a POD document to the dealer and can send delivery or service photos directly to customers via email. 

The Rest of the Story:

This story repeats itself across America where dispatchers, pullers, checkers, and drivers are in proximity to each other in a close contact and high touch environment. So, the question is, what small steps can be made to ensure the safety of your staff and customers while also ensuring the livelihood of your business?

Many dealers have established drive-through call ahead lanes for “will calls” to keep employees and customers safe. 

Features such as the ability to call in a crowd-sourced driver to help make deliveries has allowed our customers to not only sustain their business but to grow their delivery operations in the last few weeks.

These features, coupled with mobile dispatching and photo capture POD, are not only needed in today’s tumultuous times, but will be the catalyst for change in the future.

By adapting to change, working together, and pushing forward for the greater good of the economy, together, we can improve our operations, grow our businesses, and win through the uncertainty ahead.