The Reynolds and Reynolds Company announced it has set an industry record as its 10,000th active customer has adopted Reynolds systems to run its dealership.

The announcement was made at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) convention in San Francisco.

Reynolds installed the system at Brighton Ford-Mercury in Brighton, Michigan. Brighton Ford-Mercury has deployed the Reynolds Generations Series family of automotive retailing solutions, including Reynolds' Contact Management and Electronic Document Management tools.

According to the company, the Reynolds Generations Series was introduced one year ago and incorporates advanced CRM solutions and reporting tools that provide new customer insights and information when and where automotive retailers and car companies need it. Built on application service provider-based modules, these solutions are supported by a full complement of Reynolds' professional services, support and education.

Sixteen years ago at NADA, Reynolds introduced a dealer management system named ERA(r). The system represented the next generation of technology and software for automotive retailers. The Reynolds Generations Series is easily integrated into a dealership's existing technology - including ERA systems - so that customers making a technology investment can build upon it for the future, according to Reynolds.

"ERA systems rapidly won acceptance in the marketplace when they were introduced in 1987 and have remained a mainstay of dealer management systems for automotive retailers large and small," said Scott M. Schafer, senior vice present of Sales, Marketing and Services for Reynolds. "Today, we are also installing the Reynolds Generations Series as the new foundation on which automotive retailers can grow and enhance the profitability of their businesses."

Schafer said that the 10,000 system milestone is equivalent to installing a dozen systems every week of every year for 16 years.

"That's a phenomenal track record of innovation, dependability, and performance in the industry - and a large reason why the Reynolds name is as respected as it is and why we are leaders in the market."

At the time of its introduction, ERA was a new standard in automotive dealership data processing, according to Reynolds CEO Lloyd G. "Buzz" Waterhouse. "When ERA was introduced, it was the first fully integrated set of solutions for automotive retailers that reached beyond the showroom and connected various parts of the dealership," Waterhouse said. "It integrated back-office, sales, parts and service, and customer information. Much of what we take for granted today in information technology for automotive retailing began with Reynolds and ERA nearly two decades ago.

"The Reynolds vision is to create a seamless automotive retailing experience, connecting car companies, automotive retailers, and consumers. We made history in the industry with the strength of our ERA systems year after year. ERA also provided the technology foundation and market experience from which we could develop the next generation system and technology platform, the Reynolds Generations Series. The Reynolds Generations Series complements what has gone before at the same time it redefines information technology software solutions for automotive retailing in the future."

"When we say, 'Relax, you're a Reynolds customer,' we mean it," Waterhouse said. "This year, we will continue to deliver new applications for the Reynolds Generations Series that complement our existing systems - such as ERA - by giving our customers unprecedented new capabilities that can help them grow their businesses."

Reynolds and Reynolds (www.reyrey.com) is a provider of integrated solutions that help automotive retailers manage change and improve their profitability. With 75 years of experience serving automotive retailing, Reynolds enables car companies and retailers to work together to build the lifetime value of their customers. The company's product, service and training solutions include a full range of retail and enterprise management systems, networking and support, e-business applications, Web services, learning and consulting services, customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, data management and integration, and leasing services. Reynolds serves more than 20,000 customers. They comprise 90 percent of the automotive retailers and virtually all car companies doing business in North America. Its CRM consulting practices span more than 20 countries around the world.