IRVINE, Calif. – UDC, a retail automotive BDC consulting, training and CRM software provider, reported a 50 percent increase in CRM software sales for the third quarter 2008.

The company also reported a 22 percent increase in high line automotive clients since year-end 2007. UDC attributed the growth to its highly successful BDC consulting and training program which improves the sales of a typical dealership by as much as 35 percent, state-of-the-art CRM technology and partnerships with top high line auto manufacturers.

"We've been very pleased with our expansion over the past several months," said UDC CEO Hans Van Order. "All of our business is referral-based, which means our clients are continuing to get the results from us they expect and need. We've also received incredible support and endorsement from leading high line manufacturers. Our OEM partnerships have enabled us to help dealers around the country streamline and enhance their sales and service processes."

UDC was founded in 2000 as a luxury automotive BDC consulting and training firm. The high line specialist created two advanced CRM solutions, Momentum and Revolution. Momentum is a Web-based, sales CRM tool designed to boost sales performance. It integrates sales floor, BDC and Internet department customer data into on central database that can be viewed and shared by any sales unit in the dealership. Revolution is a service CRM solution that includes shop loading and capacity management features, real-time appointment scheduling, a TSD loaner management interface and advanced marketing tools to improve service department performance, and create more satisfied and loyal customers. Both CRMs interface with ADP and Reynolds and Reynolds.

In 2007, UDC was named an authorized Mercedes Benz USA and BMW of North America BDC/CRM consulting, training and software provider, becoming one of the few companies nationwide to receive vendor approval by both OEMs.

This year, Van Order was asked to create and facilitate BMW of North America’s first series of nationwide peer performance workshops for sales managers. The meetings provided an open forum to discuss dealership processes, metrics and best practices to improve sales and customer satisfaction, and were considered a huge success by both the manufacturer and dealership participants. Van Order will return as the moderator for a new peer-performance workshop series being planned for 2009.

Van Order was also invited to participate in the Mercedes-Benz USA BDC/Sales Manager conference held in September, where he presented information and strategies on how dealers can bridge the gap between their BDC unit and sales floor.

In February, UDC launched its first international venture, developing and delivering a series of successful BDC workshops for Volkswagen Brazil. UDC will be returning to Brazil in 2009 for a follow-up series of seminars. Recently, the company closed a deal with Mercedes-Benz of Canada to conduct BDC training and consulting with dealerships in Toronto and Vancouver.

"Our focus at UDC has always been client care excellence," said Van Order. "Improving store sales and service processes, increasing efficiency and better managing customers is one of the easiest ways a dealership can generate more profits."