Release Highlights
ERA-IGNITE 32.50
For more detailed information on each feature below, check out Program News on Online Support.
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Dealership-wide
Business Office
Sales and F&I
Parts and Service
Dealership-wide
New Products
Automatically export reports using the new dlrSecured Automated Reports feature*
Using the new dlrSecured Automated Reports window, you can define the Retail Management Intelligence application reports and the Dynamic Reporting Data Sets that are available for export. Once the dlrSecured Automated Reports feature is set up, you can schedule reports to be automatically exported to a password-protected file on the network drive. For more information, see pages 2-4 of the July 2023 Program News.
General System
Explore and print data more efficiently using dlrSecured Identity Management
For employees signed on to ERA-IGNITE using dlrSecured Identity Management, data in reports and list boxes can now be exported and printed without completing a security check.
Define settings for the dlrSecured Stay Signed On feature
With the new Stay Signed On setting, you have increased flexibility to determine if employees can remain signed on to dlrSecured after accessing ERA-IGNITE, which can be particularly useful at dealerships where employees typically share PCs. For more details on how to define the settings, see pgs. 2-3 in the 32.50 Program News.
Confirm dlrSecured verification methods
When adding a new verification method for dlrSecured Identity Management, employees can now be required to enter a verification code. With this enhancement, verification methods are confirmed before being added, which can help prevent instances where employees incorrectly set up verification methods.
Review when dlrSecured passwords are updated
System administrators can now use the dlrSecured Identity Management website to identify when employees change their dlrSecured passwords or when administrators reset passwords. When the password for an employee is updated, an entry displays on the Log Search screen, and a description of the change displays in the text column.
Two new color themes available for ERA-IGNITE
New Retail Anywhere and Gray and Blue themes provide a more modern appearance to ERA-IGNITE. To use one of these new color themes, simply select the corresponding option in the Theme field on the Preferences window, as normal.
Set dlrSecured Identity Management display mode
Sign-on windows for dlrSecured Identity Management now automatically display in light mode if an employee has not previously updated the display mode. To display a window in Dark mode, simply click the (Dark Mode) button. To redisplay a window in Light mode, click the (Light Mode) button. When this setting is adjusted, dlrSecured Identity Management sign on windows automatically display in the selected mode the next time the window is accessed.
Use current time zone for dlrSecured Identity Management reporting
The user’s current time zone is now automatically used for reports and logs on the dlrSecured Identity Management website.
New role available in dlrSecured Identity Management
The Assistant Enterprise Admin role is now available for the dlrSecured Identity Management website. Users with the role of Assistant Enterprise Admin can edit basic information for other users, including updating employee names and resetting passwords, but cannot update the enterprise configuration settings.
Dealer Communication
Add BMW and MINI specific services to appointments and repair orders*
You can now add BMW Service Process Access for Retail Clients (SPARC) Value Service Packages (VSPs) to appointments and repair orders using Service Price Guide operations. To allow you to add Value Service Packages to appointments and repair orders, a new option is available on the Service Price Guides Operation Lookup window. See pages 6-9 of the Program News for more details.
Automatically update repair orders with information directly from GM vehicles.
The General Motors (GM) Service Advisor Vehicle Interface (SAVI) is now available to allow service advisors to automatically retrieve telematic data from GM vehicles. When a qualifying dongle, such as the GM SAVI dongle, is plugged into the OBD-II port on a customer’s vehicle, vehicle information can be reviewed using the new Connected Vehicle report and Connected Vehicle window.
Retail Management Intelligence
Define RMI Favorites using templates
Employees can now use saved templates to define the favorites that display in their My RMI Favorites folder in the Folder List. When you save a template, you can define the name of the template to be your user ID so employees can easily determine who added the template, or you can define a custom template name to indicate the template use.
New version of the docuPAD® Product Effectiveness report now available*
With a new version of the docuPAD Product Effectiveness report, you can schedule the report to process and print automatically. In addition, if the Integrated Document Management (IDM) application is licensed, the report can be saved and archived to the IDM application.
Monitor and pause the Auto Archive process
When performing the Auto Archive process, employees can now monitor the progress of the process using a new window. If needed, employees can now pause the Auto Archive process and resume the process at a later time.
Receive notifications when an error occurs for a scheduled report
You can now define a Reynolds Communicator (ReyCom) notification to be sent when an error occurs when a scheduled dynamic report is processing. A check box now displays as the Notify Users Upon Completion (ReyCom) field, letting you define additional notification options when processing scheduled dynamic reports.
New report to reconcile ReyPAY® transactions*
You can use the new ReyPAY Reconciliation report to review all transactions made using the ReyPAY application during a certain date range, reconciling transactions from Accounting, Parts, and Service applications against the Worldpay iQ Transaction Research report.
Reynolds Integrated Telephone System
New RDA report to monitor call activity for DID phone numbers
You can use the new Dialed Number Summary report in the RITS Desktop Application (RDA) to
review call activity for direct inward dialing (DID) phone numbers. With this report, you can quickly determine which published phone numbers customers are dialing and which departments they are trying to reach.
Access records in FOCUS from the RDA using dlrSecured*
When you are enrolled in dlrSecured Identity Management using the same email for both ERA-IGNITE and the Digital Retail Platform, you no longer need to enter your credentials before you can define preferences for accessing records in FOCUS.
Security Maintenance
Review additional changes to security access on the Security History screen
System administrators can now review additional details for changes made to the security access for user IDs using the Security History screen. The new details displayed on screen are:
- Updates to store or branch access for application areas.
- User IDs added by copying.
- Security settings copied.
- Security settings deleted.
New security items
New security items have been added on the Security Access screen including:
- Global Security Items (DRAIVER)
- Retail Management Intelligence
- Service (Online Service Documents)
- Time Clock
Check out page 5 of the July 2023 Program News for more information.
System Administrator
Send auto-reply text messages to customers after business hours*
You can use the new Auto-Reply Schedule window to define the business hours for the dealership to determine when auto-reply text messages are sent. Using the new Edit SMS Text Message window, you can define these text messages to include specific dealership information, such as the dealership name, the department name, and the next open business day and time. For more details on how to set up these auto-replies, see pgs. 23-26 in the 32.50 Program News.
Business Office
Accounting
Include Reynolds Electronic Payments checks in positive pay files*
You can now include checks created using Reynolds Electronic Payments in positive pay files. To include the checks in the file, simply select the new Include Reynolds Electronic Payments check box on the Create Positive Pay File window.
Assign Name IDs to Accounting transaction detail in additional journals
Various posting screens have been updated to allow you to assign Name ID numbers to the accounting detail of transactions. To review the Name IDs and names associated with transactions, you can use new columns on several report screens. In addition, the 1099 Amount window is now accessed using a new link or hot key combination from Cash Disbursements. For additional details, see pgs. 84-86 in the Program News.
Multiple enhancements available for the Journal Detail window
New columns and an updated layout to allow you to display and print posting details in a more concise format. In addition, you can print the report in the updated format using the new Print (F11) button.
Multiple enhancements available for the Purchase Expense Analysis report
Additional criteria options and columns are available on the Purchase Expense Analysis report to help you analyze the specific expense reporting information you need to review. Name IDs assigned to Accounting transactions are leveraged to provide better expense reporting. For details on all of the enhancements, see pgs. 89-90 in the Program News.
New columns on the Journal report
The Name ID column and the Name column display information based on the optional Name ID entered on the Additional Entries window from several posting screens in the accounting application. In addition, the Account Description column displays the account descriptions associated with the general ledger account.
New columns on the Vehicle Sales Summary window
You can now review the account descriptions for sales and cost of sales accounts using two new Account Description columns on the Vehicle Sales Summary window. To display the Account Description columns, right-click a column heading and select the columns from the Column(s) submenu as normal.
Define whether electronic payments are sent to individual vendors*
You can now indicate whether electronic payments are enabled for individual vendors using the Enable Electronic Payments check box on the Payment/Credit Card window in the Names application. For steps on how to do this, see pgs. 93-94 in the 32.50 Program News.
Enter battery capacity for electric vehicles
Employees can now enter the battery capacity of electric vehicles using the new Battery Capacity (kWh) field on the Vehicle Management Information window. With this enhancement, dealership personnel can disclose battery capacity information to customers on forms and reports in the F&I
application.
Payroll
Quarterly electronic wage reports updated for Oregon
To support changes to electronic wage reporting requirements, the quarterly electronic wage report for the state of Oregon has been updated in the Payroll application. The quarterly electronic wage report is now created as a .csv file. Additional information, including state transit tax and paid leave subject wages, is also included on this report.
Set up additional health coverage codes for 1095-C forms
Additional coverage codes can now be included on 1095-C forms. To define settings for the new codes, simply select the corresponding code in the Line 14 Code field. Make entries in the remaining fields, and press the F12 key, as normal. Once defined, these codes can be assigned to employee records in the Payroll application.
Exempt sick pay from SUI
Payroll personnel can now exempt dealership employees and the employer from taxes for state unemployment insurance (SUI) for sick pay in the Payroll Specs application. When “4” (Sick Pay) is entered in the Code field on the Miscellaneous Pay Code Maintenance screen, the Taxability field can now be used to define whether the sick pay code is exempt from SUI taxes.
Time Clock
New Mobile Time Clock app is now available*
Using the new Mobile Time Clock app, employees and their supervisors can now access various Time Clock application features to perform their job duties while away from their desks. Employees can clock in and out of work and review available time off using their mobile devices. Supervisors can use the app to monitor employee clock status and to maintain and approve time cards, even when away from the dealership.
Request and approve vacation time in ERA-IGNITE
Employees can now add, modify, and track the status of vacation requests in the Time and Attendance application. Once time off has been requested by an employee, supervisors can approve, deny, and review the vacation request in the Time Clock application. When vacation requests are approved, time cards for the employee are automatically created for the approved vacation dates. For details on each of those processes, see pgs. 98-104 in the Program News.
Human Resource Management
New and renamed job categories available on the General Job Data screen
The options in the Job Category field on the General Job Data screen have been updated to reflect changes to job categories as defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). See pgs. 96-97 for all new options.
Time and Attendance
Hide available time off
You can now define the Available Time Off section, which includes an employee’s available vacation and sick time, to be hidden on the Time Punch Management screen in the Time and Attendance application. Simply select the new Hide TAT Available Time Off check box on the Division Specifications screen in the Time Clock Specs application to hide the Available Time Off section on the Time Punch Management screen.
Sales and F&I
F&I and Desking
Complete eContracting deals for ODE lenders more efficiently with updated fields*
When the eContract Management window is accessed for the deal, the vendor associated with the financial institution on the deal is now automatically entered in the Vendor field. Additionally, the Intended Contract to Present field is now the first field that displays in the Prompts section on the Contract Validation tab.
Exclude blank pages from scanned documents
A new option in the FIN Specs application is available for managers to define whether blank pages are saved when scanning documents for deals in the F&I application or the docuPAD system.
Reverse non-SWOA deals directly in the F&I application
F&I managers can now reverse deals regardless of the Sale Without Accounting (SWOA) settings defined in the Finance and Insurance Specs application. When the SWOA setting is inactive and a deal is reversed, the same deal updates occur as when the SWOA setting is active.
Automatically send new deals to FOCUS*
When new deals are saved in the F&I application, the deals are now automatically sent to FOCUS and attached to the corresponding prospects. Previously, deals were sent to FOCUS after the deals were closed.
Define whether to automatically update the registered state on deals
At dealerships where deals are commonly completed for out-of-state customers, the vehicle registration state can now be defined to automatically match the buyer state on deals in the F&I application. This enhancement can help you verify taxes are calculated based on the customers’ primary residence.
Save electronic consents and menu disclosures to Deal Jacket*
Electronic signature consents for DEALsign and docuPAD are now automatically saved to the Deal Jacket screen in the F&I application. In addition, managers can define whether menu disclosures from the F&I Menus application or the docuPAD system are saved to the Deal Jacket screen. For more details, see pgs. 40-44 in the 32.50 Program News.
Update deals using the Offer Builder tool in Gubagoo Virtual Retailing*
The Offer Builder tool in Gubagoo Virtual Retailing can now be used to update deals in the F&I application that were sent from Gubagoo. With this enhancement, you can update deals in Gubagoo Virtual Retailing as needed without accessing the F&I application, helping to streamline the process of working deals sent from Gubagoo.
Add details for sales appointments to deals
F&I managers can now maintain details for an appointment associated with a vehicle on a deal, such as the date and time for the vehicle delivery or test drive, using the new Appointment section on the Miscellaneous window. For more information on adding details, see pgs. 46-49 in the 32.50 Program News.
Enter battery capacity for electric vehicles
Employees can now enter the battery capacity of electric vehicles using the new Battery Cap field on the Vehicle window, the New Vehicle Inventory window, and the Used Vehicle Inventory window and disclose battery capacity information to customers on F&I forms and reports.
Define access for updating the selling price
F&I managers can use a new security item to control whether employees can update the selling price on deals in the F&I application. To grant an employee access to update the selling price, select the new F&I/Desking → Payment Data – Fields → Selling Price check box on the Security Access screen in the Security Maintenance application.
New product rating and booking providers
F&I Product Rating and Booking (PRB) allows F&I managers to access provider pricing for service contracts, Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) insurance products, and aftermarket items directly in the F&I application. See the list of new products and providers on pg. 52 in the Program News.
Vehicle Management System
Access screens and windows from new Vehicle Management Main Page
The new VMS Main Page is available for employees to quickly locate links to commonly used screens and windows throughout the Vehicle Management application. In addition, the VMS Main Page can be defined to automatically display when the VMS application is opened.
View deals associated with a vehicle record
You can now review detailed information for deals associated with a vehicle directly in the vehicle record. If the vehicle record is associated with one or more deals in the F&I application, the new Vehicle Deal Log window can be used to view deal information, such as the deal number, the customer name, and the names of the salesperson, sales manager, and F&I manager.
Change floorplan interest rate for multiple vehicles at one time
Using the new Floorplan Interest Rate Change screen, you can search for vehicle records and update the interest rate and effective date for the vehicle records. To access the Floorplan Interest Rate Change screen, select VMS application → Tools → Floorplan Interest Rate Change. For more details see pgs. 57-58 in the 32.50 Program News.
Search for used vehicles by Used Group
At dealerships using centralized accounting, you can now search for vehicles by used group, which are used to associate used vehicles with a specific sales branch. Using the new Used Group field on the Vehicle Inquiry screen, you can enter up to 10 used groups when searching for a used vehicle.
Include vehicles in batch inventory files based on vehicle status
New options are available on the Vehicle Status Codes screen in the VMS Specs application to allow you to define whether vehicles in specific statuses are included in batch inventory files sent to Reynolds Certified Interface (RCI) vendors. To include a vehicle status in batch inventory files, simply select the Active check box and the new Send To Third Party check box for the vehicle status on the New Vehicle tab or the Used Vehicle tab on the Vehicle Status Codes screen.
Automatically update on-order vehicles with Order Integration after manual updates
Now, records for on-order vehicles are automatically updated with Order Integration until the received date is updated to the current date or a prior date, regardless of whether the records were manually updated.
Define access to change stock numbers for unpurchased vehicles
Managers can use a new security item in the Security Maintenance application to control whether employees can change the stock number of a vehicle. To grant an employee access to change the stock number of a vehicle on the Transfer Vehicle/Change Stock# window, select the new Vehicle Management System → Actions → Change Stock# check box on the Security Access screen in the SEC application.
The docuPAD® System
Define access for updating closed F&I deals
F&I managers can use a new security item in the Security Maintenance application to control whether employees can access and update deals on the docuPAD Workstation that are in Closed status in the F&I application.
Display expanded details regarding electronic forms and signatures consent
When the Continue button is tapped on the Customer Review screen, the new Buyer Electronic Records and Signature Consent Form window displays. Using this window, the buyer can review detailed information regarding the consent that the buyer is providing and the roles of the dealership and financial institution in the transaction. For more information, see pgs. 31-33 in the 32.50 Program News.
Parts and Service
Service
Request rides using Draiver directly from ERA-IGNITE
Personnel can now request rides for customers using Draiver Rideshare integration directly from the Service application. Using the new Rideshare window, you can book rides for customers who request shuttle services. In addition, managers can define settings for Draiver Rideshare integration, such as the maximum price and distance allowed for rides, in the Service Specs application. See pages 19-23 in the Program News for more information.
Limit appointment availability by base operation code*
You can now limit the number of appointments that can be scheduled each day by base operation code using Reservation Manager. For example, suppose you only want to allow three appointments per day for major engine repairs at the dealership. With this enhancement, you can define the hourly, range, and minutes limit for the base operation code used for major engine repairs using the Reservation Manager Limits screen. See pages 24-26 in the July 2023 Program News for more information.
Drill down to repair orders when reviewing service history
Using new links in the RO# column on the View Service History window, you can now drill down to repair orders. To review more details for the repair order, click a link to access the Repair Order Billing screen with the corresponding repair order displayed.
Search for repair orders using stock numbers
You can now access repair orders by stock number using a new option on the Shop View window and the RO Search tab on the Search Customers and Vehicles screen. To search for repair orders by stock number, enter Stock# in the Search By field, and enter the stock number of the vehicle in the For field on the Shop View window or the Search For field on the RO Search tab.
Monitor the number of repair orders with videos using the Upsell Analysis report*
You can now use the Upsell Analysis report to monitor the number of repair orders for each advisor or technician with at least one video added. When the report is requested in summary format, the number of repair orders with videos added by each advisor or technician displays in the new ROs With Videos column.
Review part totals using the Open Repair Order Cost report
A new column is available on the Open Repair Order Cost report, allowing you to review the total cost and core value of parts sold to repair orders. The new Part Total column on the report displays the combined values from the Part Cost column and the Part Core column.
Define payroll cutoff dates using new screen
Using the new Payroll Cutoff Dates screen in the Service Specs application, you can define the dates for each technician pay cycle in the year. After the dates are defined, time entries for previous pay cycles can no longer be updated in the Service application, helping to prevent occurrences where time entries are changed after technicians are paid. For how to define these dates, see pgs. 75-77 in the 32.50 Program News.
Additional criteria in RO Time report header
When the RO Time report is printed, additional criteria now displays in the report header to indicate the employee’s response to the message windows that display when the report was requested. For example, if the employee clicks the Yes button when prompted to include time entries prior to the report start date, Include Prior Dates: Y displays in the header.
Retrieve up-to-date vehicle information using the new Connected Vehicle feature
The Connected Vehicle feature is now available, allowing real-time vehicle information to be automatically retrieved from the manufacturer. Details retrieved from the manufacturer include telematic data, such as the current odometer reading, tire pressure, and oil life. Once retrieved, the information can be reviewed using the new Connected Vehicle window and the Connected Vehicle report. For more information on this new product, see pgs. 66-70 in the 32.50 Program News.
Service Portal 2.0
Alert customers when issues not added to cart*
When the customer enters an issue on the Write Your Own tab and clicks the Skip button or the Proceed button without adding the issue to the cart, a new message window displays.
Online Service Documents
Allow customers to review service documents online*
Your customers can now conveniently access various documents, such as repair orders, report cards, and invoices, using the new Online Service Documents. When documents are created in the Service (SVC) application, they can be automatically published for customers to view online. See pages 15-18 of the Program News for more details.
Parts
Notify customers of special orders (SPOs) based on document type*
Managers can now determine if emails are sent to customers when special order parts are ordered for certain document types. You can define whether messages are sent to customers when special order parts are added to orders specifically for parts invoices, appointments, open repair orders, or closed repair orders.
Request the No Count report directly in ERA-IGNITE
To access this report, select PTS application → Reports → Physical Inventory 2300 → No Count 2308.
Change price level for each part on a pending service estimate*
You can now update the price level for each part on a pending service estimate at one time using the Change Price Level window. To update the price levels, access the estimate on the Counter Sales – Pending Services Parts screen and select Functions → Change Price Level.
*If the solution is not already licensed, a solution license is needed.
