The Reynolds and Reynolds Company on Nov. 6 announced that The Harrell Companies, Inc.’s eight-automobile dealership consortium will be converted to integrated automotive Internet services and support from Reynolds Web Solutions.

Harrell Companies dealerships sell both domestic and international nameplates and employ more than 600 people in three states. In 2003, the group was named as one of the top five most profitable ethnic minority owned automobile companies in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine.

Additionally, B.E. Research reported that the group topped $397 million in sales at the end of December 2002. The company is planning for further growth by enhancing and expanding its presence on the Web, according to H. Steve Harrell Sr., chairman of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers and CEO of The Harrell Companies, Inc.

“Many of our customers currently complete most of their research and shopping online,” Harrell said. “The robust features offered by Reynolds Web Solutions are precisely what we need to attract them into the showroom and sell them once they get here.

“We were looking for a solution that offered full integration,” Harrell continued. “With Reynolds Web Solutions, we’ll be able to integrate information from our Web site to our dealer management system and even eventually to our sales team’s individual personal digital assistants.”

“Reynolds Web Solutions offers a comprehensive suite of e-commerce solutions designed to specifically meet the unique needs of the automotive retailer,” said Stuart Lloyd, solutions executive for Reynolds Web Solutions. “By offering a complete solution, Reynolds Web Solutions is able to provide Harrell with site design, hosting, third-party buying services integration, as well as Internet process and sales training in one package.”

According to Lloyd, Reynolds Web Solutions combines the latest in online sales technology and Web services with best-in-class Internet process and sales leads management training. “By combining technology, processes and training for associates, Reynolds Web Solutions helps retailers maximize their results and accelerate their return on investment,” Lloyd said.

Harrell Companies has selected a comprehensive package of Web solutions from Reynolds. Harrell’s new sites include a virtual showroom that allows customers to shop current inventory 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The company said it believes the new Reynolds Web Solutions site will help Harrell’s dealerships attract vehicle shoppers, generate traffic and capture valuable sales leads.

Additionally, the new Harrell Web sites will be integrated with Harrell’s Reynolds dealer management system, enabling real-time inventory updates to be reflected on the site.

About Reynolds and Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds (www.reyrey.com) is a provider of integrated solutions designed to help automotive retailers manage change and improve their profitability.

Serving the automotive retailing industry since 1927, Reynolds says it enables OEMs and retailers to work together to build the lifetime value of their customers. The company's product, service and training solutions include retail and enterprise management systems, Web and customer relationship management solutions, learning and consulting services, documents, data management and integration, networking and support and leasing services.

Reynolds serves more than 20,000 customers comprising nearly 90 percent of the automotive retailers and virtually all OEMs doing business in North America. The Reynolds International Division serves automotive retailers and OEMs through Incadea AG and its partner network as well as a worldwide consulting practice.