The test drive planner becomes indispensable

Oliebollenspecial 2024: Plan-IT Test Drive has been developed as a web application, meaning the planner can be used anywhere – on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or PC. The same applies to the workshop planner.

Plan-IT is well known for its workshop planner, which has been a market leader for over 25 years. Recently, the company introduced the test drive planner. Both products are being rolled out with an increasing number of partners in the market. Ease of use for the car dealership and the motorist are the central focus.

We speak with Leon Wonnink (Sales Manager, right in the photo) and Julian Hendriks (Director) from Plan-IT. Hendriks talks about the new Plan-IT Test Drive, a planner designed to schedule test drives. “Consumers can make an online appointment, with clear visibility of the available times for both the car and the salesperson. This system has been well received, especially by consumers. It makes scheduling a test drive easier than ever, while the company has more time to give the customer the attention they deserve.” Wonnink adds, “Ten years ago, we introduced the option for online appointments for the workshop. Now, almost every company offers that possibility. The same will happen with test drives.”

Integrating with partners

Another key development at Plan-IT is the growth of software integrations with partners. “More and more companies are developing apps for the automotive market and are asking us to implement integrations,” says Hendriks. “Last year, we brought all those integrations and partnerships under the PPP, the Plan-IT Partner Program. We are eager to collaborate because good partnerships improve the service we offer to dealers and garages.” While Plan-IT has been a major player in the dealer channel for years, significant growth is now also seen in the universal channel. Partnerships are again key to this success. Hendriks explains, “We’ve integrated our system with 2Drive from Vinacles and Wincar from AIS, two leading systems for universal businesses. This allows us to grow as part of those systems.”

In the cloud

Plan-IT Test Drive has been developed as a web application, allowing the planner to be used anywhere – on smartphones, tablets, laptops, or PCs. The same is true for the workshop planner, says Wonnink. “We’re noticing that businesses want to move away from their own servers and shift everything to the cloud. So we’ve now developed an entirely new web app version. This will also include features for assigning specific tasks to specialist technicians, such as diagnostic technicians. The allocation of special tools can also be managed in the planner. Sometimes, there’s only one set of a particular tool for electric vehicles. The workshop planner will keep track of that. This way, you prevent two technicians from needing the same tool at the same time.” Plan-IT continues to innovate and think along with customers. Hendriks adds, “We’re here for the customer, not the other way around. That’s why we’re always accessible. We believe that’s normal, but it turns out it’s not. The biggest compliment we get is that more and more job ads say: ‘Knowledge of Plan-IT is a plus.’ That’s just wonderful, isn’t it?”