Proof in Action

Challenge: 

With approximately 11 days until closing, there was very little room for delay. Multiple technology workstreams needed to happen simultaneously, and each had dependencies that could impact the dealership's ability to operate under its new ownership.

The transition included:

• Preparing the Reynolds & Reynolds DMS environment

• Establishing users, security and system access

• Transitioning internet, phones and network administration

• Preparing and reimaging dealership workstations

• Replacing and configuring payment equipment

• Procuring and deploying new devices

• Coordinating with the outgoing IT provider and other technology vendors

• Preparing dealership employees to access the systems needed to perform their jobs

• Establishing ongoing IT management and support

Scott needed more than individual vendors handling separate pieces of the transition. He needed a team that understood dealership operations and could coordinate the technology workstreams around one critical deadline: closing day.

Solution: 

Scott reached out to OWL Founder and CEO Sally Lopez for help. Despite the limited runway, OWL quickly mobilized the resources needed to support the acquisition.

Within hours, Scott was connected with Stephanie Bentley, Director of IT Project Management, and a team was assembled across OWL's Professional Services, Infrastructure and Managed IT departments.

OWL began coordinating the different technology workstreams, vendors and deadlines required to prepare the dealership for the ownership transition.

DMS Preparation

Tammie Johnson, EVP of Professional Services, led the DMS portion of the transition, helping coordinate the dealership's Reynolds & Reynolds environment.

OWL worked through DMS requirements leading up to closing, including user setup and security, dealership employee involvement, necessary information and forms, system requirements and outstanding items that needed to be completed before Day One.

IT & Infrastructure

At the same time, OWL's IT team worked through the physical technology requirements of the acquisition.

Stephanie Bentley, Lori Stewart and Lawrence Fieber traveled to Chesterton to support the transition on-site. With closing approaching, the team worked through the weekend and into Monday afternoon to prepare the dealership.

The work included preparing and reimaging approximately 40 workstations/devices, installing necessary software, replacing and configuring payment equipment, deploying new devices, assisting approximately 27 users with system access, transitioning network administration and coordinating with the outgoing IT provider and other technology vendors.

The team also connected dealership equipment to OWL's Remote Monitoring and Management platform, helping establish the foundation for ongoing Managed IT support after the acquisition.

By bringing Professional Services, IT Project Management, Infrastructure and Managed IT together, OWL was able to coordinate multiple technology workstreams through one team rather than leaving the new owner to manage each vendor and dependency individually.

An Unexpected Challenge After Closing

The technology transition was already operating on an extremely compressed timeline.

Then, the morning after closing, severe weather struck the Chesterton area.

Tornadoes caused widespread disruption, and the dealership lost power, internet and phone service.

Even after the OWL team returned home, support continued. The team worked remotely to assist the dealership and monitor its technology environment as services were restored.

The situation reinforced the importance of having ongoing technology support beyond the acquisition itself. OWL's involvement did not end when the transaction closed.

Results: 

With approximately 11 days from the initial call for help to closing, OWL helped Pharr Nissan of Chesterton coordinate the technology transition required to begin operating under its new ownership.

OWL helped the dealership:

• Coordinate multiple technology workstreams around a compressed acquisition timeline

• Prepare approximately 40 workstations/devices for the ownership transition

• Support approximately 27 users/employees

• Prepare the Reynolds & Reynolds DMS environment

• Transition critical IT infrastructure, payment equipment and network administration

• Coordinate technology vendors and the outgoing IT provider

• Respond to unexpected power, internet and phone outages following severe weather

• Establish ongoing Managed IT support after the acquisition

Following the acquisition, Pharr Nissan continued its partnership with OWL through Managed IT Services, providing the dealership with ongoing technology support beyond Day One.

What began as an urgent call for help less than two weeks before closing became an ongoing partnership designed to keep the dealership's technology supported as the business moves forward.

OWL's support helped Scott do more than transition the technology at a dealership. It helped bring his first dealership to life.

"You cannot put a price on dependability. You cannot put a price on people who answer the phone when you need them and who genuinely want to see you succeed.” — Scott Pharr, Owner, Pharr Nissan of Chesterton