Dealer management systems: 7 DMS platforms car dealers run

The dealer management system (DMS) is a dealership’s system of record: deals, accounting, parts, service and payroll. It is the hardest piece of software a store will ever change, and the decision sits with the dealer principal, GM and controller. If you sell to dealers, the DMS decides how you integrate. These are the seven you will meet most. DealerData is not affiliated with any of them.

1

CDK Global

Franchise stores

One of the two long-standing franchise DMS providers. Its Fortellis marketplace is the route for third-party apps that need CDK data.

2

Reynolds and Reynolds

Franchise stores

The other long-standing franchise DMS, sold as ERA-IGNITE. Third-party access runs through the Reynolds Certified Interface program.

3

Dealertrack DMS

Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive’s DMS, which fits alongside Cox tools such as VinSolutions, vAuto and Xtime.

4

Tekion

Cloud native

A cloud-native platform that combines DMS, CRM and service in one system. The best-known name among stores moving to a cloud DMS.

5

PBS Systems

US and Canada

A DMS with a strong base in Canada and a growing US presence.

6

DealerCenter

Independents

An all-in-one system for independent used car dealers, covering inventory, CRM and DMS functions.

7

Frazer

Independents

A DMS long used by independent and buy-here-pay-here dealers, with in-house financing features.

Cloud vs on-premise DMS

Older DMS setups ran on servers at the store or hosted by the vendor with desktop software. A cloud-based dealer management system runs in the browser, updates without installs and is easier to reach from anywhere. Most vendors now sell cloud or hosted versions, and newer platforms such as Tekion were cloud from the start.

Why it matters if you sell to dealers

• Integration: reading or writing DMS data usually means going through the vendor’s certified program.
• Timing: DMS contracts run for years, so a store that is switching is rare and busy.
• Buyer: the DMS is a top-level decision; your product’s champion is still usually a department head.

If your product needs DMS data, get certified with the big three first. It opens most franchise stores at once.

For the CRM layer, see 9 dealership CRM systems; for every other category, see 8 types of dealership software.

Frequently asked questions

What is a DMS at a car dealership?+

A dealer management system is the store’s system of record for deals, accounting, parts, service and payroll.

What DMS do most car dealerships use?+

Franchise stores most often run CDK Global, Reynolds and Reynolds or Dealertrack, with Tekion the main cloud-native challenger. Independents often run DealerCenter or Frazer.

What is a cloud-based dealer management system?+

A DMS that runs in the browser and is hosted by the vendor, so it updates without installs and works from anywhere.