Cotelligent, a provider of information technology (IT) solutions, has announced that they were selected to support BMW's Website development with creation of individualized eCRM (Customer Relationship Management) portals for BMW's vehicle owners, including information on their leasing and financing accounts with BMW Financial Services.

Using technology developed with Marketdrive Interactive (a subsidiary of Classified Ventures), Cotelligent's two-pronged solution lets BMW vehicle owners track the life and vehicle maintenance records of their vehicles, as well as stay informed on their leasing and financing accounts. Made possible by two seamlessly integrated applications, the final product is a powerful demonstration of Web-driven customer relationship management.

"Cotelligent partnered with Marketdrive Interactive based on what we recognize to be their inherently valuable eCRM model. Namely, it is a solution designed to enhance and strengthen the post-purchase relationship between vehicle owner and manufacturer through tailored, one-to-one, Web-enabled communications," said Dan Jackson, Cotelligent's president and chief operating officer. Marketdrive's model entails that new or existing owners register their vehicles online with the manufacturer using their vehicle identification numbers, and then populate their individual profiles with customized preferences for monitoring the lives of their vehicles. What results are personalized Websites that facilitate around-the-clock consumer-manufacturer interaction geared toward a particular make and model of automobile.

Under this model, BMW North America selected Cotelligent to design its Owners' Circle, whereby a registered BMW owner is able to monitor personalized BMW account and vehicle information within a secure online environment. Once registered, the personalized Owners' Circle Web site delivers multiple interactive functions, including new car order tracking, access to the vehicle's maintenance history and automatic reminders for upcoming maintenance, mileage tracking, FAQ's on the particular model BMW, a BMW center locator, online chats, access to priority emails service, the ability to obtain original contract copies and the means to easily edit or update personal profiles.

Customers Have Access to Financing Information

Cotelligent simultaneously worked with BMW Financial Services to develop the other piece of the Owners' Circle. This application provides BMW customers access to vehicle leasing and financing information. Registered owners can view their current lease payment information, request inspections, compute mileage and lease-end calculations, and peruse "how-to" guides for buying out, turning in or leasing new vehicles. The personalized BMW vehicle tracking portals function together with the Financial Services feature to form the complete Owners' Circle on the BMW Web site.

Both the vehicle tracking and Financial Services CRM applications are integrated on each customer's personalized site, thereby supplying owners with a unified data source for vehicle maintenance, service history tracking, leasing and financing information.

"This significant eCRM initiative puts BMW well ahead of the curve in delivering personalized, Internet-based, around-the-clock customer care. This exclusive model, together with Cotelligent's significant application development experience, helps BMW streamline their servicing process and provides BMW a competitive advantage in the realm of online customer service," said Jackson.

A detailed case study of this project is available by contacting Cotelligent. To take a guest tour of the BMW Owners' Circle and Financial Services site, visit www.bmwusa.com.

About Cotelligent

Cotelligent (www.cotelligent.com) is a global consulting firm, delivering end-to-end information technology solutions. Areas of specialization include Web-enabled applications, Web design, eCommerce, Web portals, and ERP eSolutions ("eBusiness"), as well as custom application development, system integration and implementation, strategic consulting and assessments, and business intelligence ("Enterprise Solutions").

About BMW of North America

BMW of North America, Inc. was established in 1975. Since then, the company has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations in the United States; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; DESIGNWORKS/USA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Palo Alto and various other operations throughout the country. BMW is represented in the U.S. through a network of more than 340 car, 315 Sports Activity Vehicle and 160 motorcycle retailers. BMW US Holding Corp., the Group's headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

About BMW Financial Services

BMW Financial Services NA, LLC, (BMW FS) was established in 1993 to support the North and South American sales and marketing efforts of BMW, including the newest office in Brazil. With over $11 billion in managed assets and more than 320,000 automotive lending customers, BMW FS leases more than half of the BMWs sold in the U.S.

BMW FS has recently expanded its products to include a diversified selection of banking services through its wholly owned subsidiary, BMW Bank of North America. Services include credit cards, checking accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts. BMW FS has also entered into a strategic alliance with the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies to offer the BMW Personal Insurance Program.

Information about BMW products is available to consumers at www.bmwusa.com.

About Marketdrive Interactive

Marketdrive Interactive, a subsidiary of Classified Ventures bbased in the San Francisco Bay area, specializes in Internet-based customer relationship management solutions for manufacturers and retailers of automobiles and other vehicles. Marketdrive powers customer relationship management tools for BMW of North America, Inc., Subaru of America, Inc., cars.com, and several large automotive retailers.