If there is one headache that you can do without it is getting rental receipts after the claim is long closed and submitted. Even worse is holding a claim open waiting for the rental bill to arrive.

But if you are like most GM dealers and using Enterprise, there is a new option that can make your job easier.

A few months ago, Enterprise began offering its proprietary Automated Rental Management System (ARMS) to dealer-ships. The ARMS application's two-way electronic communications creates a seamless process that streamlines invoicing and helps your dealership better manage costs by sending electronic authorizations directly from your shop to Enterprise, including the number of days authorized.

"The ARMS application makes it faster and easier to provide rental cars for our customers," said Mike Johnston, service manager for Inskip Automall's Volvo dealership in Warwick, R. I., which rents an average of 600 cars a month from Enterprise. "We also are able to better analyze and manage the rental activity on every level because the automated application provides management reporting and reduces errors, as well as unnecessary delays that can impact customer satisfaction."

With the new ARMS application, Mr. Johnston's service advisors are able to create an electronic authorization for a rental car at the same time they are initiating a repair order for service. "All of the renter's information, along with the number of days authorized, is sent to Enterprise electronically," said Mr. John-ston. "Best of all, Enterprise is ready for our customers when they arrive for their service appointments and the contract is closed as soon as the rental car is returned to our dealership."

"If we need to extend the rental, information is sent directly to Enterprise, eliminating the need for follow-up phone or fax requests. We also can view and print invoice information online within the ARMS system," he added.

Steve Adkison, parts & service director for Gosch Automotive Group, who rents about 400 cars a month for seven dealerships, agrees that the ability to track and manage additional days is a great feature of the ARMS system.

In his Reynolds system, ARMS integrates the rental requests and extensions automatically. It essentially opens an electronic purchase order that requires closing before the R.O. can be closed. Since the Reynolds system matches the requests being made of Enterprise through ARMS, only authorized rentals appear as charges. Mr. Adkison continued, "It keeps all the records up-to-date, so we are able to book out the correct amount. In fact, the amount is attached automatically to the repair order." All changes and extensions are time-stamped and note which advisor
authorized the rental, giving the dealership better management control of the process.

It is on the warranty side that Mr. Adkison has seen the best improvements. Because the web application portion of ARMS is live with the Enterprise location, his shop is able to retrieve a copy of the rental agreement anytime.

That means no more waiting for the rental bill to show up in order to close out the ticket. It also means no more end-of-the-month surprises.