Let’s play out a scenario. It’s 8:15 AM on a Monday. You’re sipping your coffee, prepping for another day of selling cars, when your IT guy strolls in, tosses his badge on your desk, and says, “I’m out. Just won the lottery!”
Congratulations to him. Condolences to you.
Because whether he’s heading to Bora Bora or just took another job down the road, the effect is the same: your entire dealership just lost its tech brain. And unless you’ve got a well-oiled IT strategy (or a winning lottery ticket of your own), things are about to get bumpy.
A True Story: The Great IT Scramble
Recently, we spoke to a dealer who lived through this exact nightmare. His internal IT person left suddenly after receiving a better offer. So, he did what many would—he hired a small, local IT firm. Problem solved, right?
Not exactly. That firm went belly-up not long after. And once again, the dealer was back to square one—scrambling to find a replacement, hoping the digital duct tape would hold.
In the span of a year, he spent more time thinking about WiFi outages, email servers, and firewall configurations than F&I or floorplans. Meanwhile, the risk to his network—and to his business—skyrocketed. One well-placed ransomware attack and it could’ve been game over.
You’re Not Just a Dealer Anymore
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: you’re running a tech company now. You just happen to sell and service vehicles on the side.
Modern dealerships are loaded with connected devices. Terabytes of data flow through your network every day—from CRMs to service lane tablets to customer credit applications. You might have a rock-solid strategy for moving metal, but if your IT infrastructure is a mess, all bets are off.
Still Counting on One “IT Guy”?
If your entire tech operation hinges on one person—whether they’re on payroll or on retainer—you’re not managing IT. You’re dodging bullets.
IT resiliency isn’t just about having a backup server or a second internet provider. It’s about building a strategy where no single point of failure can bring your operation to a screeching halt. That includes people. Especially people.
No Strategy = No Safety
Too many dealers still operate without an IT roadmap. They’re not using the cloud effectively. They haven’t upgraded their equipment since the Obama administration. Their systems are unpatched, their networks are vulnerable, and they’re overpaying for tech that’s not helping them grow.
Worst of all? They don’t even know it.
The Smarter Way Forward
It’s time to think differently about IT. Start with a strategy—one that supports your business goals and prepares you for the unexpected. Build resiliency into your tech stack. Make sure your backups have backups. And above all, make sure your IT isn’t a one-man show.
Because whether your IT guy hits the lottery, gets poached by the dealership down the street, or just burns out from juggling too many responsibilities—your business can’t afford to hit pause while you figure it out.
You’ve worked too hard to leave your dealership’s future up to chance.
