InfoIQ SafeLink™ - A Secure Alternative To Modem-based Access

Digital Motorworks, Inc.® (DMi) has been the leader in Dealer Management System (DMS) data polling, cleansing, standardizing, and exporting of dealer data for over 10 years, supporting a wide array of OEM and industry-leading programs that benefit dealers. DMi is introducing an alternative DMS communication technology called InfoIQ SafeLink

DMi has traditionally accessed DMS data via the dealer’s modem. Changes in the DMS industry mean that method will no longer be available for many dealers. InfoIQ SafeLink is a next-generation DMS connectivity solution that provides unprecedented security, control, ease of installation, and low maintenance.  InfoIQ SafeLink is a software solution downloaded by dealers to a Windows® PC on their network.

Version 1.1 of InfoIQ SafeLink, launching in July 2007, enables DMi’s Reynolds & Reynolds-based customers to continue existing services without being affected by Reynolds & Reynolds’ plans to discontinue modem access later this year.  Future versions will also replace modem access for other Dealer Management Systems.  InfoIQ SafeLink’s key features include:

Security:
Working to ensure the security and confidentiality of dealer information is the guiding principle behind InfoIQ SafeLink.

• Features password vault technology allowing dealers to configure DMS credentials to support their data extraction programs without ever transmitting DMS usernames and passwords to DMi.  This gives the dealer peace of mind that their DMS credentials are never shared with a 3rd party and are only stored in the encrypted vault running on the dealer’s PC
• Runs in the background. Normal activity (email, web surfing, using the DMS) on the PC is uncompromised, inaccessible, and uninterrupted by InfoIQ SafeLink, even when an extract is running.  Additionally, individuals with access to the PC running InfoIQ SafeLink cannot view the data being exchanged with DMi.
• Encrypts and authenticates all communications between the InfoIQ SafeLink client software and the DMi servers
• Does not store extracted data – even temporarily – on the dealer’s local PC running the InfoIQ SafeLink software

Control:
InfoIQ SafeLink’s administrative screens show exactly which programs a dealer is participating in through DMi and the DMS logins for each -– and the option to edit those settings.  This gives the dealer unprecedented ability to control the access they are voluntarily granting to their DMS data.

No additional costs:
InfoIQ SafeLink does not require transferring any DMS licenses to DMi or purchasing any special hardware or software.  Dealers download software from the DMi website and install it on a Windows-based PC on their network.  The nature of the technology allows DMi to avoid passing along cost to the dealer.

Easy to install:
The user-friendly installation wizard is designed for a non-technical user.  Additionally, the system has been designed to minimize impact to the dealership IT department.  InfoIQ SafeLink does not install any software on the DMS and there is no need for a typical dealership to adjust firewall or LAN settings.

Easy to maintain:
InfoIQ SafeLink requires little to no maintenance:

• Supports all data extraction programs the dealer wishes to participate from a single installation and without any additional hardware
• Delivers password vault technology that allows for automatic password rotation and ensures that DMS passwords are only stored on the dealer’s PC, not with any person or system at DMi
• Runs unobtrusively in the background regardless of current user activity. A user need not be logged on for InfoIQ SafeLink to run.
• Recovers automatically without user intervention if operation is interrupted by an outage of the dealer’s network connection or a reboot of the PC
• Allows DMi to ensure data quality through real-time debug and troubleshooting
• Keeps software footprint to a minimum.  This allows data extraction services to continue without frequent upgrades to the PC software