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Bill Currie Ford
Florida's Largest Body Shop and Parts Dealer Thrives on FileMaker Pro
Currie Ford began using customer maintenance follow-up systems
back in the early 1990s. The first solution was a Unix-based
mainframe system provided by Ford. It cost almost $160,000 and,
according to Tom Banaszak, Director of Fixed Operations at Currie,
"was about as user friendly as a bulldozer.” One day in frustration
he pulled the plug on the system, convinced he could build
something better. After briefly trying a DOS-based Clipper system,
which still required programmers to perform the simplest changes or
queries, Banaszak turned to FileMaker for help. In 1996, FSA
(FileMaker Solutions Alliance) Member with Communication Solutions,
Inc. (formerly R Squared Enterprises)helped Banaszak build his
dream solution.
The FileMaker Pro system, affectionately called SMINDER (short for
"service reminder”), tracks over 19,000 customers through 30
related databases, the largest of which is almost 25MB. SMINDER
tracks each customer's vehicle service history. By applying
algorithms to calculate miles per day driven against elapsed
calendar days, the system generates customized reminder letters to
let people know when their next service is due. The mileage
estimates are so accurate that they often astonish customers.
Banaszak jokes, "We've had people accuse us of using some devious
methodology to find out how many miles they have on their
car!”
The FileMaker Pro solution was built at a fraction of what the
original Unix-based system cost. Moreover, the system was build
according to Ford's specifications and is now Ford certified, which
means Ford reimburses the dealership every month for a portion of
its technology expenses as part of Ford's Quality Care Maintenance
Program. In January 1999 alone, the system generated 6,300
mailings. Using the Ford system, it would've cost the dealership
$12,700. Instead, the total pricetag with the FileMaker Pro
solution was $2,881.60—of which $2,000 was reimbursed by
Ford.
FileMaker Pro's innate flexibility has given Banaszak and his staff
free reign over their data. At a moment's notice, they can query
the database and generate specialized marketing campaigns based on
Vehicle Identification Number, model, year, owner's birthdate, ZIP
code, you name it. "You can slice the database so thin,” praises
Banaszak, "that you can almost see through it.” With its
flexibility, accuracy, and reliability, FileMaker Pro helps Currie
Ford stay in touch with its existing clientele and win the repeat
business of new customers. "There isn't a more rock-solid
application on the market,” Banaszak insists. "I always tell
people, if a machine running FileMaker Pro crashes, there must be
something wrong with the machine!”
Contact information
Contact Info for Customer:Tom Banaszak
Insert Contact's Title Here
Bill Currie Ford
813-554-5335
tomb@tampabay.rr.com
Jim Randel
Communication Solutions
Bill Currie Ford
813-948-2755
themaj@tampabay.rr.com
Filemaker Contact:
Kevin Mallon
Public Relations Manager
FileMaker Inc.
408-987-7227
kevin_mallon@filemaker.com
http://www.filemaker.com
- How does Bill Currie Ford, the largest combined parts, service and body shop operation in Florida, keep on top of its operations? By using a Ford-certified FileMaker Pro solution to track customer's maintenance needs and generate highly targeted direct mailings.
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