Car firms decide on Qantels

Press, 2 November 1982, Page 28

Car firms decide on Qantels

Computer Consultants. Ltd. has won what is believed to be the largest minicomputer contract awarded to a NewZealand company. Mazda, Nissan Datsun, and Toyota have signed an agreement with CCL to recommend its Qantel business computers to the motor companies’ dealer networks. The contract represents a minimum of 50 Qantel installations, with a potential of 150. One hundred and thirty Qantel systems are in use in New Zealand businesses. CCL was successful against 16 other New Zealand and Australian suppliers. “Although it was clearly acknowledged that the participating companies were cdfripetitors,” said Mr William R. Witt, Company Secretary of Nissan Datsun Holdings, Ltd, and spokesman for the motor companies group, “it was decided real benefits could be gained by combining resources to evaluate available systems and recommend a particular solution to our respective dealer networks.”

“This approach gave us a very strong bargaining position. We have been able to negotiate a sophisticated information system with full service back-up, at a price which we believe is costeffective for all motor dealers, regardless of size,” said Mr Witt.

Conscious of the need to keep costs down, Mazda, Nissan ' Datsun, and Toyota

looked first at microcomputers. “But we quickly discovered they had neither the power, the equipment growth potential, or supplier stability and support necessary to provide a viable long-term solution for our dealers,” Mr Witt said. CCL had the upgradable Qantel range of computers, had an established service network, and a suite of software packages for New Zealand motor-vehicle dealers was at an advanced stage of development. “The competitive environment within the motorvehicle industry means our dealers must replace previously adequate systems with a more sophisticated approach to management,” said I Mr Witt.

“They now need up-to-date accurate information to make daily management and marketing decisions. This is a requirement of not only the larger dealers, but also the smaller ones with scarce administrative resources. For them, computerisation will be important in remaining competitive.

“CCL is setting up a wholly owned subsidiary company whose sole purpose will be to service the information needs of the Mazda, Nissan Datsun, and Toyota dealers. “An application has been made in the name of ‘CCL Automotive Systems, Ltd',” said CCL’s marketing director, Mr Tim Cullinane.

The first system is being installed at Rosscars Toyota in Upper Hutt this month.