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Draft:Lightspeed DMS

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  • Comment: This is blatant advertising. Bobby Cohn (talk) 21:19, 20 December 2024 (UTC)

Lightspeed.[1] is a provider of cloud-based software solutions for dealerships and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across the Powersports[2][3], Marine (Boats)[4], RV[5], Trailer[6], Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE), and Golf Car industries. Its Dealer Management Solution[7][8][9] (DMS) is designed for dealership operations including sales, parts, service, rental, accounting, and customer relationship management (CRM). T

A Brief History of Lightspeed DMS

In 1983, Hal Ethington[10][11], owner of a motorcycle dealership in Salt Lake City, Utah, was facing cash flow challenges and inventory control issues. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional methods, he took matters into his own hands and developed the first computer program designed specifically for powersports dealerships. This program, which would eventually become Lightspeed DMS, was created to address the unique challenges of dealership operations.

Ethington partnered with programmer Ernie Blodgett[12] to create the first-ever motorcycle-specific Dealer Management System. Their collaboration resulted in the official launch of Lightspeed in 1986, selling the software to other dealerships to help streamline their operations.

Lightspeed continued to evolve over time, undergoing several corporate changes:

  • In 1994, the original Lightspeed was acquired by Bell & Howell[13].
  • In 2001, Bell & Howell split, and Lightspeed became part of ProQuest[14]
  • ADP[15][16] purchased Lightspeed in 2004, which was later spun off as part of CDK Global[17][18] in 2014.
  • In 2022, Brookfield[19][20] acquired CDK Global, and in 2023, Lightspeed became a standalone business under LightspeedDMS LLC.
  • In 2024, Brookfield announced that Brian Provost has been named chief executive officer of the recreational dealer management system provider.[21][22][23]

Over the years, the software has gone through several generations, transitioning from its original UNIX-based form to the modern, cloud-based system used by thousands of dealerships today. As Lightspeed expanded into the RV, Marine, and Trailer markets, it adapted its platform to meet the needs of these industries and further extended into Outdoor Power Equipment and Golf Cart industries.

Lightspeed is known for its integrations across all its industries.[24][25]

  1. ^ "Lightspeed Software Reviews, Demo & Pricing - 2024". www.softwareadvice.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  2. ^ "HOME | National Powersports Dealer Association". NPDA. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  3. ^ "Motorcycle Industry Council". www.mic.org. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  4. ^ "Home". Marine Retailers Association. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  5. ^ Association, Recreation Vehicle Dealers. "RVDA-Home". www.rvda.org. Archived from the original on 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  6. ^ "NATDA | Home". www.natda.org. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  7. ^ "Understanding Your Dealership Management System". RV PRO. 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  8. ^ Staff, The (2016-10-18). "Powersports data standards drives DMS adoption". Powersports Business. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  9. ^ "PowerSports Business - April 4th, 2016". read.dmtmag.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  10. ^ Staff, The (2013-09-17). "2013 PSB Institute Speaker - Hal Ethington". Powersports Business. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  11. ^ Staff, The (2013-08-09). "You saw the Oklahoma dealership. What would you do?". Powersports Business. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  12. ^ "MOTORCYCLE DEALERS TRAVEL AT LIGHTSPEED". Deseret News. 1994-02-13. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  13. ^ "Bell & Howell", Wikipedia, 2024-12-06, retrieved 2024-12-20
  14. ^ "Bell & Howell", Wikipedia, 2024-12-06, retrieved 2024-12-20
  15. ^ "ADP (company)", Wikipedia, 2024-11-01, retrieved 2024-12-20
  16. ^ "Payroll, HR and Tax Services | ADP Official Site". ADP. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  17. ^ "CDK Global: Homepage". www.cdkglobal.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  18. ^ "CDK Global", Wikipedia, 2024-11-21, retrieved 2024-12-20
  19. ^ "Brookfield—Global Investment Firm – Invested in long-term value". www.brookfield.com. 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  20. ^ "Brookfield Corporation", Wikipedia, 2024-11-06, retrieved 2024-12-20
  21. ^ Staff, The (2024-03-12). "Lightspeed appoints Brian Provost as president and CEO". Powersports Business. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  22. ^ jirehl (2024-04-02). "Brian Provost Appointed CEO of Lightspeed DMS | The Software Report". Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  23. ^ Reich, Gary (2024-03-12). "Lightspeed DMS Appoints President/CEO". Trade Only Today. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  24. ^ Rollick. "Rollick and Lightspeed Announce Strategic Partnership to Support Recreation Dealers". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  25. ^ "Lightspeed Debuts VIN Decoding for Forest River Brands". RV PRO. 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
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