Lesson 2: Dealer Business System (DBS)

Lesson 2: Dealer Business System (DBS)

Introduction:
This lesson covers the basic functions of the Dealer Business
System (DBS)

Objectives:
After completion of this lesson the student will be able to explain the
features of DBS and identify the information on the DBS main menu.

References:
None

Tooling:
None
Unit 1 2 Caterpillar Communications
Lesson 2

Key Concepts

• Dealer Channel System of Communication

• DBS Architecture
• DBS Modules
• Custom Application Interfaces
• Security
• Environments

DBS benefits a dealer’s business by providing a flexible framework for

productivity, providing many common services as well as allowing for individual
dealer customization.

DBS organizes a dealer’s operations into separate modules. Each module provides
management information and tools focused on a particular area of your business. In
addition, each module is integrated to share information wherever possible.
Unit 1 3 Caterpillar Communications
Lesson 2

Dealer Channel System of Communication

Mailbox Caterpillar
Business Unit Interfaces Information
Applications

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Systems

VI
TI
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ANTARES

CO
Service
Information Direct Parts
System Links System

Dealer Business System

Field Customer
Systems Systems

DBS is the center of communications among Caterpillar, dealers, and customers.

DBS uses information technology to satisfy current customer needs and has the
capabilities for an expanding dealer's customer base.

The illustration above shows how other information technology works with and
supports DBS.

DBS communicates with many Caterpillar systems. Older information systems

developed by individual business units or by Corporate Information Services (CIS)
work with DBS. Additionally, newer Caterpillar-developed software systems are
designed to be compatible with DBS.

DBS is heavily integrated with Service Information System (SIS) and the
ANTARES Parts Ordering System, which play an important role in providing
service and support to customers. DBS also connects to several batch mailbox
interfaces that help dealers maintain clear communications regarding pricing
information, pricing warranties, parts ordering, etc.

Systems that are used in the field also work with DBS to provide up-to-date
machine information, sales data, parts availability, etc. In addition, DBS provides a
limited interface for high-volume customers who are identified by individual
dealers through the Customer Terminal Application (CTA).
Unit 1 4 Caterpillar Communications
Lesson 2

DBS Architecture

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Operations

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Operations

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Merchandising Management

Applications Foundation

Technical Foundation

This illustration shows an overview of the main components of DBS.

DBS is a menu-driven, interactive software system containing integrated modules

centered on functional areas. Sharing information between modules provides a
powerful database of customer and product information.

The Caterpillar Mailbox System, along with other communication tools such as
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), ensures the delivery of up-to-date information
for dealers. Electronic tools developed for customer, product, and communications
management provide DBS with a strong technical foundation.
Unit 1 5 Caterpillar Communications
Lesson 2

DBS Modules

Service
Operations Financial
Management Management
Service Work Orders
Integrated Accounting System
SIMS
Integrated Purchasing System
Warranty
Standard Job System
Preventive Maintenance
Contract Tracking
Parts Operations
Dealer Management
Order Processing
Business Parts Inventory Processing
System Warehouse Operations
Equipment
Management
Pricing and Ordering Merchandising
Inventory Control Management
Equipment Accounting
Sales Personnel
Agreements and Invoicing
Sales Commissions
Rental Fleet Management
Customer Management
Customer Notes
Customer Parts Purchases
Business Planning

These five software modules are the basis of DBS:

• Parts Operations Management
• Service Operations Management
• Equipment Management
• Financial Management
• Merchandising Management

The modules are fully integrated with each other, allowing for the rapid exchange of
information and the improved accuracy in reporting data. This illustration shows
the subsystems within each module.
Unit 1 6 Caterpillar Communications
Lesson 2

Custom Application Interfaces

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DBS
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Caterpillar

As shown in this illustration, DBS now includes custom software interfaces, field
developed code (FDC), and third-party (non-Caterpillar) products. These custom
applications enhance the functionality of DBS and provide practical solutions to
managing shared information.

Direct Link Interfaces: Most of the DBS standard interfaces allow direct
transmission to the Caterpillar Mailbox. These interfaces provide an indirect
connection to DBS.

Field Link Interfaces: Caterpillar has also developed field interfaces for
transferring data between a dealer's host computer and field personnel using a
notebook computer.

Field Developed Code (FDC): FDC programs allow dealers to further customize
DBS to satisfy local requirements.

Third-Party Software: Software developed by companies other than Caterpillar is

referred to as "third-party" software. To increase its software capabilities,
Caterpillar has developed DBS interfaces.
Unit 1 7 Caterpillar Communications
Lesson 2

Security

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Pro les
Fi es
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DB De

S User Profile

A secure software environment protects the sensitive and strategic data contained
within DBS. All DBS environments control system access through an authorization
procedure. Your security officer monitors this environment based upon suggested
guidelines and your business practices.
Unit 1 8 Caterpillar Communications
Lesson 2

Environments

Te st Environm e nt (De ale r Data)

Production Environm e nt

Training Enviro nm e nt (DCSG Data)

As shown in this illustration, DBS provides several types of environments for

Dealers: a test environment, a production environment, and a training environment.
User profiles are associated with each environment to provide controlled access.
Depending on your business, some dealers may also install additional environments.

The production environment houses all of the actual DBS customer, product, and
financial records. The test environment may also contain some of the same
information, to practice working with real data. The guided exercises within the
newer DBS documentation are designed to work in the training environment.
Unit 1 9 Caterpillar Communications
Lesson 2

DBS Main Menu

1 2
4 3

Shown above is the main DBS menu screen.

To access a function you can either put an "S" before any selection and press enter
or you can enter the menu or function name in the function name field.

At the top left corner of the DBS main menu, the first three positions of the dealer
code (1) are displayed.

At the top right corner, the screen identifier (2) is displayed. Every screen has a
unique screen ID.

Below the screen ID is the DBS version information including the release and fix
tape (3) currently in use.

Below the dealer code, the system displays a two position store code (4). The store
code displayed is the store associated with the user logon ID.
Unit 1 10 Caterpillar Communications
Lesson 2

DBSi 3.1 Components

Customers

Dealers
SAP Project
Portal Mini-Apps
Management
Finance

DBS EMS
Parts
Service
SAP Finance

CSA
SAP Business
Siebel Marketing
Warehouse
Field Service
Field Sales Rental

Corporate Caterpillar
Systems

Suppliers

DBSi is the updated version of DBS. The difference between DBS and DBSi is that
DBSi is in real time. The illustration above shows how the spine holds DBSi
components all together.