Quebec-based DMS provider adapts with the times
Francis Gingras, Vice President of Business Development at SERTI
You don’t survive for decades in the business of providing IT and software to dealerships without adapting to meet changing industry needs.
Quebec-based DMS provider SERTI Dealership System, has evolved over many years since its humble start up in 1975, when founder Jean-Marc Thibault founded Les Services Serti Inc. reselling IBM solutions. In 1998, Services Serti inc. became SERTI Informatique Inc., and became an Elite Partner with IBM Canada — the first company to achieve this status in Eastern Canada.
In 1988, SERTI signed a partnership agreement with an American software firm, and they adapted their software for the auto industry, and translated it into French. It was renamed SDS (for Serti Dealership System) and the first dealership in Quebec installed the software.
The company spread its wings outside of Quebec, winning clients in Ontario and Atlantic Canada, and now has more than 285 employees.
As dealership needs have changed, so has the technology. The company now offers its software via the cloud, so customers only need Internet access to operate it. The company works closely with dealers and dealer groups to ensure their software constantly evolves. “Our programmers are always ready to meet the needs of customers and manufacturers,” said Francis Gingras, SERTI’s Vice President of Business Development. “There are a multitude of products that complement our DMS offering.”
The company says it strives to provide the best customer experience for its clients. “It’s our sales approach, our way of looking at customers, both for the dealership and anything else,” said Gingras. This includes providing high levels of training and product support. “It’s a product that has evolved for 30 years with a lot of new features. We do not stagnate at SERTI, we evolve constantly.”
The company expects to introduce new features in 2018, including more mobile capabilities, texting, online appointment booking, and more.
