ProQuest software chosen by Marine Mechanics Institute

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – ProQuest Powersports’ Lightspeed Windows dealer management software has been selected for use in the Motorcycle & Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI, a subsidiary of Universal Technical Institute, Inc.) new computer systems and parts management class, the company announced in a statement today.

In this new class, students at MMI campuses in Phoenix, Ariz. and Orlando, Fla. will be trained to use ProQuest Powersports’ Lightspeed dealer management system.

MMI offers training for individuals studying to become motorcycle or marine technicians. The institute has focused on specialized OEM training in the past, but with an increasing number of dealers turning to integrated dealer management systems (DMS) to run their businesses and OEMs encouraging electronic order transfer, computer training is a critical part of technician education, the company stated.

A recent industry poll reports that 81 percent of powersports dealers rely on management software, of these 69 percent utilize Lightspeed, according to ProQuest Powersports.

“Lightspeed training will make our graduates indispensable to today’s dealers who depend on software to manage their shops,” said UTI director of education, Ken Zwilling. “Lightspeed is one of the most advanced and widely used software programs in our industries, and training on Lightspeed at MMI makes both our graduates and the dealers’ use of Lightspeed more effective.”

Students will gain a hands-on introduction to electronic parts look-up with ProQuest’s FicheFinder program and basic point-of-sale and repair order processes, added Zwilling.

ProQuest said it is working closely with MMI to train instructors and integrate Lightspeed into career-track programs. Classes will commence for marine technicians early next year, and for motorcycle technicians soon after.

“Partnering with MMI is an essential way to support the industries we serve and provide new technicians with the skills they need to become immediately productive and efficient in a dealership,” ProQuest Powersports vice president Laurn Rice said. “Training is the key to leveraging any management system, and we are pleased to work with one of the country’s foremost motorcycle and marine technician training programs to train tomorrow’s leaders.”

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