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Original Open Road Developers Partner with TCS Technologies on new Retread Software

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Cookeville, TN (December 7, 2011) – TCS Technologies, software and technology provider for the tire, automotive, and retread industry, announces a formal partnership with Gary Ingber and Tim Loden, founders of Open Road Technologies, to bring to market a complete retread software solution for today’s retreaders.  Many independent retreading companies already recognize the value of this partnership and have committed themselves to the TCS retreading software solution.

Mr. Gary Ingber, past president of Open Road Technologies, team leader, and original designer of the RoadWare Tire Tracking Management System (RoadWare) software, has partnered with TCS to build a comprehensive retread package, offered as a stand-alone application, or fully integrated within TCS’s Tire Core software system. Mr. Ingber is managing the development of the retread software, until it is successfully operational in the retreading facilities already committed to TCS. With Mr. Ingber’s real world retread software experience and TCS’s proven development team and current custom software solution, TCS is well on their way to developing and implementing a best of breed retread package to manage business processes and help dealers stay competitive in the marketplace. “In adding Tim and Gary’s experience and proven record of success, TCS is bringing to market the elite level software solution for independent retreaders.” says Barry Reese, president of TCS. “The end result of being able to package this retread software with our complete business management solution will be the best scenario imaginable for independent retread facilities looking for an advanced and updated system.”

Tim Loden, president of Advantage ID and former co-owner of Open Road Technologies, states, “TCS has both the infrastructure and realistic development approach to implement highly successful retreading software.  This new retread software application, packaged with TCS’s current technologies, provides an unmatched solution for any and all retread businesses.  Current retreaders looking for a long term complete business solution should look no further for their answer.”

To learn more about the software solution or this partnership, please contact 888-449-8473 x326.

About TCS Technologies:

Tire Company Solutions, a Microsoft Certified Partner, develops and markets both off-the-shelf and custom tire software solutions, web applications, ecommerce platforms, support and consulting services to tire companies across the US and Canada. We have built a product base which continues to prove itself as a revenue increasing, business streamlining asset to any size tire business.  We have tools unmatched in the industry, and customization within each of our products to cater to the way tire and service dealers do business. TCS’ home office is located outside Nashville, TN with a second location in Salt Lake City, UT.

CONTACT:

TCS Technologies
888-449-8473
sales@tcstire.com
http://www.tcstire.com

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TCS Signs as First Subscription to TIA’s TPMS Database

Friday, November 18th, 2011

Bowie, MD– The Tire Industry Association (TIA) announced today that TCS Technologies has signed the first subscription to the Association’s newly created TPMS Database. The Database incorporates all of the information in TIA’s highly successful TPMS Relearn Chart into a file that can be linked with point-of-sale (POS) software so the TPMS requirements for each specific make and model can be printed directly on the work order.

“The TPMS Database was created to give retailers another option for handling the TPMS relearn and service requirements for domestic and import vehicles,” said Kevin Rohlwing, TIA Senior Vice President of Training. “By creating a data file of the TPMS Relearn Chart, we are now able to provide this valuable information in multiple formats so we can meet the needs of any size retailer. TCS was the first software provider to approach us after the release during the Global Tire Expo (GTE) and we are proud to announce that they are the first company to recognize the value of this product.”

“We are excited to be the first company to offer TIA’s TPMS Database, remarked Barry Reese, TCS President. Our POS software applications already provide retailers with tire reference information and technical data specs, so TIA’s TPMS information was a natural extension of these features. The partnership with TIA allows our customers to access the TPMS relearn and service requirements for the most popular domestic and import vehicles by simply entering the year, make and model.”

For more information on TIA’s TPMS Database or the TPMS Relearn Chart, contact Chris Marnett, TIA Director of Training at 800-876-8372, ext. 106 or cmarnett@tireindustry.org.

About TIA:

The Tire Industry Association, with a 90-year history representing all segments of the national and international tire industry, is the leading advocate, as well as, instructor in technical training of tire service technicians. For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org or call 800-876-8372.

About TCS Technologies:

Tire Company Solutions, a Microsoft Certified Partner, develops and markets both off-the-shelf and custom software solutions, web applications, ecommerce platforms, support and consulting services to tire and automotive service companies across the US and Canada. We have built a product base which continues to prove itself as a revenue increasing, business streamlining asset to any size tire business.  We have tools unmatched in the industry, and customization within each of our products to cater to the way tire and service dealers do business. TCS’ home office is located outside Nashville, TN with a second location in Salt Lake City, UT. For the latest news, information or an online demonstration, visit the company’s website, www.tcstire.com or call 1-888-449-8473.

CONTACT:
Molly Reese
TCS Technologies
888-449-8473
mreese@tcstire.com
http://www.tcstire.com

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Following Up: Tire Business and TCS Facebook Q&A Session on Social Media

Monday, June 13th, 2011
Social Media & SEO Work Together - TCSTire.com

Social Media and SEO Work Together - TCSTire.com

On Tuesday, June 7th, Tire Business hosted a Facebook Q&A session on their Facebook Fan Page. The tire industry community was invited to participate and get answers to their social media questions from TCS.

Tire Business’ Alaina Scott, circulated news of the event in her AboutTBlog post: “Getting Answers to Your Social Media Questions”. 

In her post, she extended an invitation to the tire industry community to consider social media strategy. “If you haven’t started crafting a basic strategy for tackling social media, hopefully by now you’ve recognized you may have a problem and need help. There’s a lot to absorb and yes, it can be overwhelming. That’s where Tire Business hopes to help.”

The Tire Business Facebook Q&A session yielded a few direct questions about social media.  One question that was posted asked: “Is it more important these days to focus on a strategic social media campaign for our business instead of the typical SEO campaign?” 

The answer given by TCS answered the question this way: “Great question. Both Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Social Media Marketing (SMM) are important aspects of a successful and complete online marketing strategy. 

SEO and SMM accomplish different goals, so the question that an online marketing expert would ask to help make the decision about where your business should focus its online efforts would be: “Would you rather me put you directly in touch with customers that have money in hand and are ready to buy your products or services by using a Search Engine Optimization strategy, or would you rather me help you build a network of loyal supporters that maybe one day will need your services, or possibly refer someone in need of your services by using a Social Media Marketing strategy?” 

If you are new to the online marketing world, you may want to focus heavily on SEO activities to establish a solid web presence & rank well in the search engines prior to engaging in social media. Once you have a set of ongoing SEO services in place to build your web presence, definitely shift focus to your SMM strategies and activities. 

Using SMM to drive customer interaction with your brand via promotions, applications and contesting is a creative way to expand your online influence. So the answer is, it depends on where you are in the online marketing life cycle and what your company goals are for your online web presence”

If you’d like to read the other questions and answers from the Tire Business Q & A session, please visit Tire Business Facebook Fan Page.  If you have questions about how your business can benefit from social media, contact TCS today.

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Independent Tire Dealers Need to Sell Tires Online

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
"Walmart Finds Another Way to Take Your Customers Away" - Modern Tire Dealer | TCSTire.com

"Walmart Finds Another Way to Take Your Customers Away" - Modern Tire Dealer | TCSTire.com

Back on May 18, 2011, Modern Tire Dealer posted this breaking news article, Walmart finds another way to take your customers away. In this article, Modern Tire Dealer noted that, “By June, the world’s largest retailer is expected to have a new program in place nationwide that will allow online tire buyers to pick up their tires within hours of their purchase.”

Modern Tire Dealer’s Editor, Bob Ulrich, discussed the subject further in his blog post: Walmart: always playing catch-up, but always trying, to further discuss what this means to independent  tire dealers nationwide.  “Walmart already offers a “Site to Store” program, which offers free shipping on tire purchases. ‘Orders typically take 1-2 days to process and usually arrive at the store 7-10 business days later,’ says [Andrea] Woroch.”  Wal-Mart’s “Pick Up Today” tire program “…will make tires available faster than that.”

There are slight advantages for independent tire dealers over big corporations like Wal-Mart or Sears.  Independent tire dealers generally carry at least 11 different brands of tires in their stores versus the five tire brands that Wal-Mart will carry: BFGoodrich, Continental, General, Goodyear and Michelin.

Independent tire dealers also have the advantage where long lasting, personal relationships with loyal customers and a history of being part of the community are concerned. But these advantages may not be enough, when it seems that consumers are driven by convenience of online shopping and its perceived value.

What Can Independent Tire Dealers Do to Compete with Corporations?

Walmart and Sears both have big marketing and advertising budgets.  But there is one arena where independent tire dealers have a chance to compete with big corporations: Online.  Search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing do offer ways for an advertiser to pay for the highest spots in their Pay-Per-Click ad space. However, if you want to take up a spot in the natural/organic rankings, you need:

1)     A basic website or Google Places Page

2)     A Keyword Optimized, Ecommerce enabled website with a tire finder for convenient  online shopping & ordering

3)     SEO services & online marketing support you can trust from a tire industry expert

A Basic Website or Google Places Page

If you do not have a web presence of any kind, you cannot begin to compete in the online space for a share of your local customers.

A basic website, without a shopping cart or ecommerce ability, cannot help you transact online sales.  However a basic, informational website can direct online searchers to your physical location.  A Google Places Page is a free local marketing tool that can at least let potential customers know that your company exists and where you are located.  If an independent tire dealer wants to begin to create awareness online, these are two of the most basic ways to do so.

A Keyword Optimized, Ecommerce Enabled Website with a Tire Finder
As you can see from the Modern Tire Dealer Breaking News and Blog items, tire sales transactions are happening online.

In an online tire buying article by Edmunds.com from June of 2010, Edmunds.com describes the benefits of shopping for tires online, “…thanks to easy-to-navigate Web sites, consumers can provide their car’s year, make and model and quickly be shown a wide selection of tires that fit their vehicle.

The choices are easily sorted based on the driving requirements, prices or other factors. The tires are then “drop-shipped” to a local tire store for installation at an additional cost. Consumers we have talked with have been amazed at how smoothly the online tire-buying process works. In fact, one shopper called it, ‘One of my best online-shopping experiences.’ Another tire buyer stated, in less than 5 minutes of searching online, I was able to order the tires I needed.

In the Edmunds.com article, consumers additional advantages such as prices are often lower online and the excellent selection of hard-to-find specialty tires and wheels online were noted as well.  Wal-Mart is not going to be offering more than five brands of tires.  An independent tire dealer who has a website with access to an online inventory wins the battle of product selection against a big company like Wal-Mart quite easily online.

TCS has been in the tire and wheel business for over sixteen years.  We have the background on your business, your customers and your industry.  Based on our tire industry experience, TCS developed the TCS ePower product that allows independent tire dealers to have a website with real time inventory and pricing, one-stop order management and tools to analyze customer trends.  TCS provides exactly the type of website that an independent tire dealer wants and the type of website that customers want to shop.

If you are an independent tire dealer who is ready to explore the possibilities of selling tires online, contact TCS today.

Digital Marketing Support and Guidance to Grow Your Website’s Online Presence

TCS understands that there is more to online success than having a website.  You can have the greatest prices and the most amazing website, but if you’re not marketing your website, you will miss out on website traffic and sales.

Many independent tire dealers with websites are aware that there are thousands of companies who will sell you Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services and other online services.  Unrealistic promises such as, “We’ll make you #1 on Google!” for wide range of fees or the lack of transparency as to what they can do to help you market your site online is very common.  As per Google Webmaster Central: “No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google” and “Be careful if a company is secretive or won’t clearly explain what they intend to do”. Read more about Google.com’s Webmaster Central SEO service guidelines to learn what a quality SEO service provider can provide.

TCS has a team of experienced online professionals who understand the different aspects of digital marketing.  Online marketing done right can identify online opportunities and set up strategic services that will help independent tire dealers to compete with corporations such as Wal-Mart, Costco or Sears.  If you haven’t contacted TCS in regard to SEO services yet, now is the time to do so.  With SEO and online marketing, time is of the essence.

Big corporations are not going to stop finding ways to take as much of the tire market dollars as they can.  TCS encourages independent tire dealers to watch the trends of online tire sales and to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to them.

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