Caterpillar has ambitious goals for rental growth in the coming years. With increasing demand for flexible equipment solutions, the equipment rental option presents a significant opportunity. In the past, for many Caterpillar dealers and rental stores, the Caterpillar Dealer Rental System (CDRS) served as a key tool in rental operations. However, the landscape of Caterpillar’s digital offerings is evolving, and it’s crucial for dealers and rental stores to understand the implications for their growth strategies.
The Shifting Sands of Caterpillar Rental Management Systems
Recent changes suggest that Caterpillar is working toward an improved and highly competitive rental experience via their digital tools. Part of this digital transformation seems to include plans for a revamped and fully integrated CAT Rental Store. It also includes the discontinuation of development for the Caterpillar Dealer Rental System (CDRS).
If this system is no longer a primary focus of development, what does this mean for Caterpillar dealers aiming for significant rental growth in the coming years? Relying on a system that isn’t actively being enhanced could present several challenges:
- Decreased Competitiveness: An older system lacks the advanced features and functionalities needed to compete effectively in a rapidly evolving rental market. Customers increasingly expect seamless online experiences, real-time equipment availability, and easy account management.
- Keeping Pace with Innovation: The rental industry is increasingly digitizing operations and customer experiences, with trends like mobile connectivity, dynamic pricing, and AI-powered analytics gaining traction. A system not under active development may struggle to incorporate these advancements.
Options for CAT Dealers and Rental Stores
While Caterpillar builds its digital transformation journey, dealers and rental stores have a variety of options available to help achieve ambitious growth goals. Many of these options are pre-established and well known in the rental industry.
Partnering with a third-party rental software provider can offer significant benefits. These specialized systems are often built with a deep understanding of the unique needs of the equipment rental industry and can provide functionalities that might not be available in a more general dealer management system.
Many of these providers, such as RentalMan, have a long history of working with Caterpillar dealers and offer solutions specifically designed for this market. In addition, these software providers work with many of the largest and most successful rental companies in the industry.
Overall, these systems are a solid option for a dealer that’s looking for a system that will maximize it’s rental growth.
Rental Software for CAT Dealers
RentalMan is helping the industry’s top performers, including many CAT dealers, see 37.5% more growth than the rest of the rental industry. Learn more about what RentalMan can do for CAT dealers & rental stores:
