Walk into almost any dealership today and chances are you’ll see a whiteboard with numbers scribbled in dry-erase marker. But in an age of real-time data, performance dashboards, and AI-powered business tools, why are we still relying on erasable markers to manage high-stakes metrics? According to Todd Katcher, Chief Product Officer at Digital Dealership System, the answer lies in shifting from reactive tracking to proactive engagement. In a recent podcast, Todd shares how dealerships are using real-time leaderboards and digital signage to modernize operations, keep teams aligned, and turn data into action.
Key Takeaways
- Most dealerships still use outdated tracking tools that limit visibility and slow down decision-making.
- Digital Dealership System offers real-time performance dashboards that refresh every 15 minutes.
- DDS leaderboards help staff and managers instantly understand where they stand on goals and KPIs.
- Pulse AI lets managers “chat” with their data and get real-time coaching prompts, summaries, and recognition alerts.
- Digital signage within lounges and service lanes can convert idle wait-time into upsell opportunities using promotions, QR codes, and interactive content.
From Bars to Dashboards: The DDS Origin Story
In the podcast, Todd Katcher shares how Digital Dealership System was born from an idea that originated in Nashville bars. While managing several venues in the early 2000s, Todd saw an opportunity to replace static bathroom ads with digital signage that delivered content where people actually gathered. A chance conversation with a dealership client led him to apply this concept to auto retail—and DDS was born. What began as in-bar advertising tech has now evolved into a multi-feature platform powering hundreds of dealerships across the U.S. with digital signage, live leaderboards, and AI reporting tools.
Why Leaderboards Are the New Culture Drivers
Todd emphasizes that traditional reports are backward-looking—they tell you what happened yesterday. But DDS leaderboards shift that paradigm by delivering live, visual feedback on sales, BDC, and service performance. These boards motivate staff by showing them exactly how close they are to hitting goals, earning bonuses, or outperforming peers. They also help managers identify who needs support, what behaviors are driving success, and how to improve outcomes in real time. In short, DDS isn’t just providing visibility—it’s helping dealerships build a culture of daily accountability and momentum.
Turning Lounge Time Into Revenue
Another often-overlooked opportunity lies in customer wait areas. DDS leverages in-store digital signage to turn idle time in service lounges into active engagement opportunities. Dealers can display service specials, offer trade-in appraisals via QR code, or even promote a $100 test drive incentive—all while the customer is comfortably seated. This targeted messaging not only improves the customer experience but also drives sales directly from within the store. It’s a powerful way to reinforce branding and increase conversions without relying on sales staff to do all the work.
How Pulse AI Changes the Game for Managers
Managing multiple departments means juggling dozens of KPIs—often buried deep in CRMs or Excel sheets. With Pulse AI, DDS makes this effortless. Managers can ask natural-language questions about performance (“Who hasn’t closed a sale this week?” or “Which BDC agent is underperforming?”) and get instant answers. AI-generated summaries appear on dashboards and even display on screens as motivational video highlights. This kind of proactive insight empowers managers to coach faster, recognize success more often, and ultimately run a tighter, more agile operation without wasting hours on manual data analysis.
Conclusion
Dealers don’t need more software—they need better tools that work in real time, motivate their teams, and uncover actionable insights. Digital Dealership System and its suite of leaderboards, signage tools, and Pulse AI are helping stores nationwide do exactly that. In a business where every customer interaction counts, the ability to see what’s happening now—and act on it—can be the edge that sets a great store apart from a good one. It’s time to retire the whiteboard and make room for technology that meets the moment.
FAQs
Q. What is the main benefit of DDS leaderboards over traditional tracking tools?
A. DDS leaderboards update automatically every 15 minutes from your CRM or DMS, providing real-time visibility and eliminating the need for manual updates or outdated whiteboards.
Q. How does Pulse AI improve dealership management?
A. Pulse AI allows managers to ask questions in plain English and receive instant insights, summaries, and coaching prompts—making it easier to lead effectively without digging through reports.
Q. Can DDS help improve sales or service performance directly?
A. Yes. DDS tools promote accountability and goal tracking, boost motivation through visible progress, and increase upsell opportunities via dynamic in-store signage.
Q. Is DDS scalable for groups with multiple rooftops?
A. Absolutely. DDS is built for both single-location stores and dealer groups, offering enterprise controls for consistency and flexibility across locations.
Sam Oscar is a freelance technology writer with a passion for cars and a knack for making complex tech accessible. With a background in Computer Science and a lifelong love for automobiles, he specializes in exploring the intersection of emerging technologies and the automotive world. From electric vehicles and AI-driven systems to infotainment and IoT integration, Sam’s writing offers insightful analysis on how innovations are reshaping the way we drive.
His work appears across top tech and automotive platforms, earning him a loyal readership of enthusiasts and industry followers. Active in online communities and a regular presence at major tech and auto events, Sam brings both expertise and enthusiasm to everything he writes.
