Best Vertical Market Software for DriveCentric

Vehicle Acquisition Network (VAN) is private-party vehicle acquisition software for franchise and independent auto dealerships. It helps dealers buy used cars directly from consumers in their local market, alongside trade-ins and instead of paying up at auction. VAN pulls for-sale-by-owner listings from 25+ online marketplaces into one dashboard, filters out dealer and scam listings and Do-Not-Call numbers, and adds VIN decoding and market valuation to each vehicle. Buyers call, text, and email sellers from inside VAN, and every conversation stays attached to the car it is about. On VAN Accelerate™, outreach and follow-up run automatically, KBB ICO leads get a text back within minutes, and AccuTrade leads get an automatic response. For dealers without a buyer on staff, VAN Managed Buyer™ supplies a full-time buyer who is hired, trained, and managed by VAN. The dealership still makes the final buy decision and signs the check. Every plan includes an Acquisition Coach™, and VAN works with vAuto, VINCUE, CARFAX, AutoCheck, and most dealer CRMs. VAN was founded in 2013 and serves dealers in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Plans start at $1,695 per month. To see VAN on your market, call 855-952-4949.

VUE DMS is a cloud-based automotive dealership management platform that combines sales, finance, accounting, service, and parts operations within a unified system. Developed by Dominion DMS and hosted on Microsoft Azure, the software provides centralized access to operational data and dealership workflows. Its sales and finance module supports vehicle inventory management, customer records, multiple deal scenarios, financing documentation, and electronic deal jackets. The accounting module includes general ledger management, accounts payable and receivable, financial reporting, intercompany transactions, and configurable posting workflows. Service management capabilities allow advisors, technicians, and parts personnel to collaborate on repair orders simultaneously without locking records. The platform also supports digital vehicle inspections, technician timekeeping, service scheduling, customer texting, and automatic attachment of supporting documents to repair orders. Parts management tools provide inventory monitoring, purchasing, parts requests, special orders, invoicing, and communication between service and parts departments. VUE DMS includes universal search, customizable dashboards, role-based permissions, document archiving, and integrations with third-party dealership software providers. Its cloud-native architecture supports geographically redundant data protection, automatic upgrades, unlimited user access, and centralized dealership management.

CDK provides a unified, SOC 2-compliant dealership software solutions designed to simplify dealership operations, improve profitability and create a better customer experience across every department. Instead of relying on disconnected tools for Sales, Service, Inventory and Accounting, CDK brings everything together in one place through the CDK Dealership Xperience Platform. CDK offers six connected suites inside the Dealership Xperience Platform, each one solving for a specific area of dealership operations: • Foundations Suite: Ideal for enterprise and multistore dealers, this suite delivers advanced Accounting, DMS functionality, centralized management and CDK SimplePay for smooth deal workflows. • Fundamentals Suite: Created for independent dealerships and smaller franchise operations, the Fundamentals Suite offers streamlined core tools with the same data connectivity as the Foundations Suite. • Vehicle Inventory Suite: Uses AI and real-time market insights to help dealers source, price and manage inventory more effectively and profitably. • Modern Retail Suite: Combines CRM, Digital Retailing and F&I workflows so customers can start buying online and complete the process in the dealership without rework. • Fixed Operations Suite: Supports Service and Parts departments with communication tools like video and texting, accurate estimates and to-the-penny Service pricing. • Intelligence Suite: Brings advanced analytics, forecasting and performance visibility across departments so decision-making is faster and more data-driven. Dealers choose CDK for its ability to connect once-separate systems, support day-to-day operations, and provide measurable improvements in efficiency, profitability and customer satisfaction.

Whether you prefer the established framework and reliable outcomes of ERA-IGNITE or the enhanced adaptability and oversight offered by POWER, we have the solution for you. You can select the dealership management system that aligns perfectly with your individual dealership goals and requirements. If you're looking for a tried-and-true system, ERA-IGNITE is the ideal choice. It utilizes a Windows-based interface, redesigned from ERA®, ensuring that your staff will quickly become proficient. We've incorporated training resources and usage statistics to help you maximize your system's efficiency. Should you require assistance, our award-winning support team, based in the US, is just a phone call away. On the other hand, POWER empowers you with greater control over your system while enhancing security measures. You can manage visibility of information, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access. POWER's flexibility allows you to tailor your system to fit your unique business workflows. Plus, a dedicated US-based support team is readily available to assist you with any inquiries you may have, ensuring you never feel unsupported. With both options, you can confidently choose the system that best complements your dealership's aspirations.