LAS VEGAS (Nov. 21, 2014) — Mighty Distributing System of America Inc. debuted a customizable smartphone app at the 2014 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show that it is marketing to tire and automotive service dealers.
The new app, expected to launch in December, will allow retailers to offer their customers an app tailored specifically to their own business. Initially it will be available in iPhone and Android versions, but a Windows phone variation might be launched in the future, according to Gary Vann, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Mighty.
“Imagine you're a tire store owner with multiple locations, and you want to tie your customers to you,” Mr. Vann said. “You put an app on their smartphone. They can download it from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store and it's your app.”
Mighty will customize the app for each customer to include its own company logo, hours of operation, a listing of locations and special offers, all of which the dealer controls via a back-end computer program.
Through the app, consumers can track vehicle service history on multiple vehicles, request appointments, set various customer preferences and schedule push-notification service reminders, among other things.
“The other thing I like, if I'm the consumer and I'm tracking my services, is I can get a report sent to me with all the copies of all the invoices,” Mr. Vann said. This makes it easier for customers who are looking to sell their vehicle or have a warranty claim.
Dealers who wish to take advantage of the customizable app must pay a one-time set-up fee of $750 in order for Mighty to build and register the app. A maintenance fee of $10 per month per customer also is required, Mr. Vann said.
The app is free to download for consumers.
“I'm interested in getting more customers and I'm also interested in helping my customers do more business,” Mr. Vann said. “That's my motivation. We will not make any money off this. I want to provide my customers tools that will enable them to do business easier.”
Mighty also is offering a free, pared-down version of the app, called Love My Ride, which will be similar but will not include tailored features like store hours and locations, appointment requests or special offers.