Modern equipment dealerships face unique IT challenges. Multi-location dealers in agricultural, construction, and lawn equipment manage large inventories of high-value machinery and rely on specialized dealership management systems like HBS Systems NetView for sales, parts, and service. They often operate across several branches (sometimes in rural areas) and must keep every location seamlessly connected. Yet many dealerships lack dedicated IT expertise to handle these demands. Airspeed IT fills that gap by providing managed IT services tailored to equipment dealerships. We offer both fully managed IT (acting as your outsourced IT department) and co-managed IT (partnering with your in-house IT staff) to ensure your dealership’s technology is secure, efficient, and primed for growth.
IT Challenges for
Equipment Dealerships
Common IT Challenges for Equipment Dealerships
Dealerships are prime targets for both physical and digital threats. Large outdoor lots filled with tractors, mowers, and heavy equipment can attract after-hours theft or vandalism, making security a top concern. Dealers need modern surveillance and access control to protect inventory, as well as strong cybersecurity to protect customer and business data. In fact, cyberattacks on dealerships are on the rise – a major 2024 ransomware incident at a dealer software provider left some equipment dealers locked out of their systems for days. A single breach or extended downtime can halt sales, erode customer trust, and cost thousands in lost revenue. Maintaining robust physical security and cyber defenses is no longer optional; it’s essential for safeguarding your business.
Managing multiple locations is another challenge. Equipment dealers often have multiple stores spread across different cities or regions, which means IT infrastructure must keep everyone connected. Slow or unreliable internet at one branch can disrupt company-wide applications and communications. Ensuring each location has a high-speed, reliable network – and linking all sites together securely – is critical for sharing data (like inventory and customer records) in real time. Without the right connectivity solutions, something as simple as checking if another store has a part in stock can become frustrating. Dealers are increasingly turning to site-to-site VPNs and managed networks to unify their branches. The goal is a “one dealership” feel: whether an employee is at the main store or a satellite location, they should have the same fast, secure access to systems and files.
Dealerships also juggle integrating specialized software and new technologies. Running a successful sales, parts, and service operation means using a complex mix of applications – from your dealership management system to inventory tracking, finance, and manufacturer portals – all of which need to work together. When these systems don’t play nice, or if they go down, operations grind to a halt. Moreover, the equipment itself is more high-tech than ever, packed with GPS, telematics, and precision ag features that generate data and require updates. Supporting this evolving tech landscape can strain a small internal IT team (if one exists at all). Dealers need an IT partner who can ensure their business applications integrate smoothly and stay updated, while also helping them handle emerging needs like software updates for smart tractors or remote diagnostics for construction equipment. These challenges require a proactive, knowledgeable IT approach to keep everything running in harmony.
How Airspeed IT Helps
Our team is familiar with the software and workflows you depend on – we’ve even supported dealership management platforms like HBS Systems NetView. We also leverage best-in-class solutions tailored for dealerships: for example, deploying GoTo Connect cloud phone systems for seamless communication, UniFi video cameras and access controls to safeguard your inventory yards, and site-to-site IPsec VPNs to securely connect all your locations under one network.
Airspeed IT understands dealership operations and speaks your language. We combine robust cybersecurity and networking know-how with hands-on experience in the equipment dealer industry.
Ready to drive your dealership forward with hassle-free, secure technology? Let’s talk. At Airspeed IT, we pride ourselves on being a business-focused, approachable partner for equipment dealerships.
Our IT services for equipment dealers
- Help Desk Support (US-based)
- On-site support and maintenance
- Dealership Management Software Support
- Data Protection & Business Continuity
- Cabling and phone systems
- Cybersecurity & Compliance
- Physical Security Systems Integration
- Managed Network & Cloud Infrastructure
Real-World Impact: Tractor Dealership Boosts Connectivity & Cuts Costs
A tractor dealership struggled with an expensive and unreliable internet service, paying $700 per month for cable broadband that frequently disrupted sales, customer support, and day-to-day operations. Airspeed IT stepped in with a comprehensive solution, transitioning them to a high-speed, reliable fiber internet connection and fully managed network services. This solution reduced their monthly bill to just $190—saving over $6,000 annually. By adding Airspeed IT’s fully managed Connectivity and cloud-based VoIP services, the dealership not only dramatically lowered their expenses but also gained seamless, worry-free communications that support business growth.
Cut costs while you improve your productivity
With our managed service packages, we’ll handle all the headaches for you. No more spending hours on the phone, playing vendor roulette while your systems are down. We’ve got you.