Annual ASA Client Conference Breeds Profitability and Success for Tire Dealers



ASA Tire Systems, the leading software provider for the tire industry, hosted their ninth annual client conference, InfoExpo, in Lexington, Kentucky recently. Attendance represented more than 600 independent tire dealer locations from the United States and Canada.

Clients and ASA employees alike benefit significantly from this annual gathering of tire industry professionals. Feedback from attendees indicate that everyone who joined ASA Tire Systems in Lexington this year left with numerous items to bring back to their business and immediately increase profits. Joe Reynolds, of Shrader Tire said,
's8220;I went home with an incredible amount of new ideas, techniques, and advice from the conference. I went to work immediately and implemented several new ideas. What is so good about the conference is the ability to 's8216;talk the talk's8217; to other like users, so often both parties learn better ways to do things. Networking is an overused word at times, but it is so critical at this conference.'s8221;
           
Clients were exposed to new product ideas, like Electronic Document Management and new interfaces to various tire manufacturers programs. There was also a demonstration of a handheld pen that uses Bluetooth® technology to create electronic images of things like work orders, store them, and transmit them immediately to their destination via cell phone 's8211; a great tool for those roadside service vehicles and beyond. One of the highlights of the many informative workshops was when clients were able to see the new developments within the ASA Mobility Suite. Technicians were on-hand to demonstrate how handheld computers read tire barcodes to automate physical inventory quickly, as well as the receipt and transfer of tires. Everyone was excited to hear about Import Export Tire, the first Mobility Suite installation and how they decreased inventory count time from 12 hours to only 3.5 hours with this product. Clients at the Solution Center were able to gain additional insight about the next release of the Mobility Suite, the 's8220;Car Side's8221; module. This exciting new technology enables service writers to initiate work orders right outside at the vehicle, instead of waiting to return to the sales area to begin entering data.

Wayne Buffington, of Wayne's8217;s Tire Center said, 's8220;The 2006 Expo was a wonderful experience for me. It was well planned by ASA and they went to the extreme to make sure everyone had a good time and received all the information possible. The seminars were very informative and gave me the opportunity to see products other than TireMax that I use. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet other tire dealers from all over the country, and talk to them about their business, to see what they were doing and the different ways they use TireMax. Our user meeting was very down-to-earth and honest. We all had a chance to voice our opinions and make any suggestion or request any change we would like to see. All of these ideas and suggestions were received openly. It made me proud to be a part of this organization. I'sm glad I attended, and I'sll make every effort to attend InfoExpo next year.'s8221;

Additional workshops included the dramatic revision of eTireLink, allowing customers to place orders 7/24/365, the newest release of Analytix's8217; sales, financial, and inventory modules, ASA's8217;s Wholesale Dealership Program, and interfaces to Bandag, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Wrenchead, and Michelin. Breakout sessions covering specific elements of TireMax, TirePro, TireMaster, and TreadX showed users real-life ROI for these products. In the General Session clients not only participated in great fun and games, they learned how they can use TreadX to increase sales, decrease costs, and dramatically impact their bottom line. Guest speaker Mary Claire O's8217;Neal presented new business communication techniques, and Kevin Rohlwing, of TIA, gave an extremely eye-opening presentation covering the status of TPMS. Kevin says, 's8220;TIA is proud to be part of the ASA client conference to help retail tire dealers understand how TPMS is going to change their business model. In many ways, the long-term success of tire dealers will depend on their ability to service these vehicles. Since employee training is a key component of success, we want to make sure everyone knows what is available from TIA.'s8221;

As is the case every year, user group meetings for all products created an environment for customers to learn about new developments in their application, have a voice in the direction and development in that product, and interact with fellow users to ensure they are utilizing all elements of the software as effectively as possible. For the second year in a row, customers using the TireMaster product joined attendees, adding wonderful insight and experience to the mix.

When there was open time during the day, attendees had the opportunity to interact in the Solution Center with representatives from Open Road, Bridgestone Firestone, Top Dog, Mailmark, Pearl Technologies, PFG, K-Tool, and Oki Data. Workstations were set up to provide hands-on demonstrations of eTireLink, TirePro, TreadX, TireMax, TireMaster, the Mobility Suite, Network Services, Wireless Showrooms, Intellipress, the Wholesale Dealership Program, Analytix, and Website Design. This true hands-on technology center was so busy during the week ASA had to extend hours and send people packing each night. Dave Dillier, of Ben Tire Distributors, said, 's8220;For me, interacting with fellow users is a very important part of the conference. Learning how they handle different situations, the products they use, what works and what does not. I also find that being exposed to the newest hardware, software and trends helps me plan for our future needs and purchases.'s8221;

Customers also participated in the Annual ASA Golf Classic, the 's8220;Client Cup's8221;, a 's8220;Vine and Dine,'s8221; where the group enjoyed a gourmet luncheon, a local winery tour, and a wine tasting, and in what has become an annual tradition, the Sunday Night Football party and Texas Hold's8217;em tournament. More than just fun and games, these events provide a great opportunity for tire dealers to network and come together in a relaxed environment. The conference wrapped up with an extraordinary tour of an esteemed thoroughbred farm that included a special viewing of two prize stallions and interaction with two of the most respected breeding professionals in Kentucky, as well as a tour of the famous award-winning Buffalo Trace bourbon distillery, a down-home Kentucky dinner, and live bluegrass music.

Dottie Hansen, of Linder Tire Service, noted, 's8220;This conference is a really great opportunity to meet all of the ASA people. The user groups were really informative and actually fun. It was great to meet people who use the same software and have the same questions that I have. I thought the conference was very professional, and the food was excellent and abundant! We would love to attend again next year!'s8221;
       
No other event in the tire industry offers independent tire dealers this intensive opportunity to meet and collaborate with colleagues, manufacturers, and industry leaders while receiving education and training, and offering their input on future product innovations. At InfoExpo, ASA Tire Systems continues to cement its customer commitment by involving all ASA customers in the evolution of their product and training them to use the ASA tools to increase profitability and expand their business. Growing every year, ASA's8217;s annual InfoExpo Client Conference continues to facilitate value, education, commitment, and communication between ASA and the tire industry.

About ASA Tire Systems
Headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire, ASA Tire Systems develops and builds enterprise-wide software solutions, delivers support and services, and enables leading independent tire dealers to achieve a maximum return on their information technology investment. ASA's8217;s software tools are geared to helping tire dealers and retreaders manage all facets of their businesses and can be tailored to suit the ecommerce, order processing, accounting and business management needs of any size retail, wholesale or retread tire operation.     They can be found on the Internet at: www.asatire.com. TireMaster product information can be found specifically at www.tiremaster.com.





Annual ASA Client Conference Breeds Profitability and Success for Tire Dealers