is to eliminate unnecessary steps while maintaining accurate transaction records. Why DMS Integration Matters Accepting a payment is only one part of the transaction, and what happens afterward can have an equally important impact on dealership efficiency. A mobile terminal may allow an employee to collect payment anywhere, but if the transaction doesn’t connect to the dealership management system (DMS), the time saved at checkout can quickly become additional work for accounting. Without integration, dealerships may encounter several operational challenges: • Duplicate Data Entry: Employees must manually record transactions in the DMS after collecting payment. • Disconnected Records: Payments may arrive without clear references to the associated customer, repair order, parts ticket or deal. • Time-Consuming Reconciliation: Accounting teams must track transaction details or contact employees to resolve discrepancies. • Incomplete Documentation: Signed repair orders and receipts may be stored separately from the original transaction. A connected payment solution helps eliminate these inefficiencies by keeping transactions tied to the dealership’s existing workflows. For service transactions, that means collecting payment, capturing a signed repair order and maintaining accessible records for the office. Dealerships evaluating mobile payment providers should request a demonstration of the entire process, from accepting payment through posting the transaction to the DMS. They should also understand how the system handles exceptions, including situations in which a payment succeeds but the transaction fails to post correctly. The goal is to prevent a convenient customer interaction from creating unnecessary administrative work behind the scenes. When evaluating payment solutions, dealerships should look beyond processing rates and consider the operational costs of manual data entry, disconnected records and time-consuming reconciliation. Protect Every Transaction Moving payments beyond the cashier window introduces additional considerations for security, employee access and transaction management. Whether an employee is accepting payment in the service lane or at a customer’s home, the dealership needs consistent processes for protecting customer information. • Secure Card-Data Handling: Can customers pay without employees recording card information in notes, text messages or emails? • Employee Permissions: Can the dealership control access to transaction records, refunds and other sensitive functions? • Device Security: What protections are available if a portable payment terminal is lost or stolen? • Transaction Visibility: Can employees confirm whether a payment succeeded before attempting another transaction? The payment method itself can also affect processing costs and exposure to fraud. For in-person transactions, portable terminals supporting chip and contactless payments allow customers to use card-present methods. Properly processed EMV transactions may also provide protection against certain types of counterfeit-card fraud. Remote payment links offer convenience when customers aren’t physically present, but their processing costs and fraud considerations may differ. Dealerships should evaluate each payment method based on intended use, applicable costs and security controls rather than assuming one method suits every transaction. What to Look for in a Mobile Payment Solution Before investing in mobile payment technology, dealerships should evaluate how well the solution supports existing operations and customer experience goals. 1. Can employees accept payments wherever customers are? Evaluate mobile terminals and secure links for service lanes, delivery, off-site appointments and remote transactions. 2. Does the solution integrate with your DMS? Confirm that payments are linked to the correct repair orders, parts tickets or deals without duplicate entry. 3. Can customers complete the entire transaction remotely or on the go? Look for digital signatures, signed repair orders, receipts and immediate confirmation. 4. How does the solution protect transactions? Review security controls, employee permissions, supported methods and interrupted-payment procedures. 5. Will it simplify reconciliation and improve visibility? Ask how records are maintained, status is communicated and exceptions are resolved. The Future of Dealership Payments Is Connected As mobile service, vehicle delivery and remote customer interactions evolve, dealerships need payment technology that supports the entire transaction, not just the moment a customer pays. The right solution should make checkout more convenient while helping teams eliminate duplicate entry, maintain accurate records and simplify reconciliation. Mobile payments should extend existing dealership workflows beyond the cashier window, not create separate processes employees must manage later. The real measure of mobile payment technology is whether a dealership can complete a transaction wherever it begins while keeping payments, documentation and accounting connected. Discover how Dealer Pay can help connect your dealership’s payment experience with the workflows your team relies on. To schedule a conversation with our payment experts to explore your dealership’s needs, visit dealer-pay.com/request-a-demo. 22 ILLINOIS AUTOMOBILE DEALER NEWS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==