Most car yards in Kenya still run on a notebook, a spreadsheet and the owner's memory. It works until it doesn't: a car is promised to two buyers, an installment is forgotten, or nobody can say what a car really cost after transport, duty and repairs. A dealer management system (DMS) puts all of that in one place.
What is a dealer management system?
A DMS is software built for businesses that buy, sell and hire out vehicles. Where a normal shop system tracks products on a shelf, a DMS tracks each vehicle on its own: its registration, chassis number, mileage, costs, enquiries, test drives, sale and payments.
What a DMS does for a car yard
1. Every vehicle, from purchase to sale
Each car gets its own record: make, model, year, registration, chassis/VIN, engine, gearbox, colour, mileage and where it is parked. You see at a glance what is available, reserved, sold, on rent or in the garage.
2. The real cost and profit of each car
A car's cost is not only what you paid for it. Transport, clearing, duty, repairs, detailing and inspection all add up. A DMS records every cost against the car, so the profit on each sale is real, not guessed.
3. Enquiries, test drives and follow-ups
Buyers ask, visit, test drive and think about it. A DMS records each enquiry and test drive against the car and the buyer, with a reminder to follow up, so warm buyers aren't forgotten.
4. Cash sales and installments
Many Kenyan buyers pay a deposit and the rest over months. A DMS sets up the installment schedule, records every payment with a receipt, shows what is overdue and reminds the buyer before each due date.
5. Reservations and trade-ins
A buyer pays a reservation deposit to hold a car; another brings their old car as part payment. Both need to be recorded correctly so the car isn't sold twice and the balance is right.
6. Salespeople and commission
When several salespeople work the yard, each sale should show who made it and what commission they earned, and each salesperson should see their own buyers.
DMS or spreadsheet?
A spreadsheet can list cars. It can't stop a reserved car being sold, remind a buyer of an installment, issue a receipt or show profit after every cost. That's the difference a DMS makes.
A DMS built for Kenya
Afritelligence is car dealer software in Kenya with all of the above, plus car hire (bookings, deposits, mileage out and in) and maintenance. It runs on the phone or computer you already have. see the prices.
Frequently asked questions
What does DMS stand for?
Dealer management system: software for running a vehicle dealership, from stock to sales, payments and customers.
Is a DMS only for big dealerships?
No. A yard with five cars benefits as much as one with fifty: every car's cost, buyer and payments are in one place.
Can a DMS handle car hire too?
Yes. Afritelligence handles bookings, deposits, mileage and charges for hire cars alongside sales.
Do I need a computer?
No. It runs on a smartphone; a laptop is optional for bigger screens.
Can I see my yard when I'm away?
Yes. The overview updates as cars are sold, paid for and hired, on any phone you sign in from.
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