ELK GROVE, Calif., Sept. 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ALLDATA LLC, the leading provider of manufacturers' automotive repair information and solutions for the professional automotive service and collision repair industries, has expanded its strategic agreement with AutoVitals® so that shops can take advantage of timely new features that increase appointment rates. With the new release, ALLDATA Market allows shops to optimize websites for mobile viewing and provides a direct connection between service advisors and customers.
"We saw the number of mobile searches for auto repair shops in our network more than double between October 2011 and April 2012, so we want to give our clients an advantage," said AutoVitals CEO Uwe Kleinschmidt. "Today, a mobile-optimized website and mobile phone applications make it easy for motorists to find the auto repair shop's online presence, and engage with the service advisor, schedule appointments or receive promotions. And we see mobile device use becoming a crucial part of everybody's busy day."
The new release also strengthens the bond between the shop and its existing customers by connecting service advisors to current customer and vehicle data. It also gives advisors tools to stay in communication with customers through email, text, and calendaring. Instead of waiting for customers to call, advisors can proactively reach out to each one individually with current information at hand. They can use that knowledge to schedule upcoming maintenance, let customers know about recalls that apply to their vehicles, send appointment reminders, notify them when cars are ready for pickup, and let them know about relevant special offers. In the event of an unexpected repair, advisors can send images of worn or damaged parts to customers, along with an educational article explaining the repair and why it's important.
"In any relationship, the amount of meaningful, positive interaction is what builds trust," said ALLDATA President Jeff Lagges. "That's why marketers have searched for years to realize the dream of truly personalized, one-to-one marketing. With this new release, ALLDATA Market now hits that mark. And that's going to make a lot of shop owners very happy."
To learn more about the new features available in ALLDATA Market, visit www.alldata.com/getmarket or call 800-697-2533.
About AutoVitals
Founded in 2009, AutoVitals helps busy auto repair shop owners and service advisors to develop and nurture customer relationships via both online and offline channels. Using the AutoVitals platform, service managers can identify opportunities to further connect with the customer, and can take immediate action—with the ability to track and report on the success of specific activities and the overall impact on the bottom line. Integrating with the shop's existing management system, AutoVitals seamlessly fits into the shop workflow, helping retain existing customers, find new customers, and build stronger customer relationships—all while increasing customer satisfaction and shop revenues. For more information, visit http://www.AutoVitals.com.
About ALLDATA
ALLDATA, founded in 1986, with more than 80,000 automotive repair and collision shop subscribers, is the leading provider of manufacturers' service and repair information, shop management software and customer relations tools for the automotive repair and collision industries. Professional automotive repair shops across North America depend on ALLDATA for their automotive repair information needs and to purchase parts from more than 2,200 AutoZone Commercial program locations.
ALLDATA CollisionSM S3500 is the single source of OEM collision repair information delivering unedited and regularly updated information for structural repairs, mechanical and diagnostic information. ALLDATA RepairSM S3000 is the leading provider of comprehensive, factory-correct repair information for the automotive industry. Also available are: ALLDATA ManageSM, a strategic shop management system; ALLDATA MarketSM, a Web-based shop marketing tool to bring in new and repeat business and the AutoZone(R) Aftermarket Parts Catalog and AZ PartsConnect(R) program for aftermarket parts estimating and electronic ordering. ALLDATAdiy.com provides consumers with repair articles, factory technical service bulletins, and illustrations for a specific vehicle, along with a link to ALLDATA-approved repair shops. Visit www.alldata.com for more information.
About AutoZone®
As of May 5, 2012, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 4,613 AutoZone stores in 48 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 297 stores in Mexico.
AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Many stores also have a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, and public sector accounts. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com. Additionally, we sell automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, non-automotive products and subscriptions to the ALLDATAdiy product through www.autozone.com, and our commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.