The SBDC at Centenary College 2006 Success Award
Charles W. Dourney Jr. Kenneth Esposito
AutoCheckMate.com
6 Oak Hill Road
Newton, NJ 07860
908-347-1350
www.autocheckmate.com

Friends Charlie (the experienced service manager) and Ken (the technology whiz), began their enterprise over dinner one night by exploring ways to eliminate the headaches associated with “lot damage” claims, an auto service manager’s greatest dilemma. By the time the check had arrived, the two had come up with an idea that was a technological solution as well as a viable business opportunity.

The technology behind AutoCheckMate, launched in November 2004, is a self-contained VIN scanner and megapixel digital camera coupled with a fully automated data storage and retrieval system. The system retains images of a vehicle’s exterior that are captured during the vehicle’s inspection at the service center, and uploaded/retained in an ACM server. The service manager can zoom into any image to inspect for pre-existing damage anytime after capture, either by VIN or date. Because no vehicle details can be overlooked, the system also provides the opportunity for “upselling” for bodywork. No comparable product is currently on the market.

Through support from friends and expertise garnered from Dolores Stammer and students engaged with the SBDC at Centenary College, AutoCheckMate has since launched deals nationwide. About a year ago, Charlie and Ken had a prototype product placed at a Morris County BMW dealership, and they were also negotiating a contract with Mercedes of Manhattan. Dolores had always believed in Charlie and Ken: “From the first time I met Charlie and viewed the system’s demo, I saw the possibility of ACM’s product and business. Charlie’s enthusiasm is contagious; Ken’s technological skills are awesome.” Using the “student power” at her disposal, a marketing and sales plan was developed to move the product nationally. Based on the joint work and the market insight developed by the student team, ACM obtained the endorsement of the parent dealership organizations for Mercedes, BMW and Ford worldwide, and it has several patents in multiple countries setting the stage for global business.

Thanks to an article about Dolores and the SBDC at Centenary, its students and the projects they were undertaking, Charlie and Ken are no longer just thinking about rolling out their sales/marketing program to a national presence. According to Charlie, “In today’s business environment, it is virtually impossible to launch and expand a viable business without the help of experts like Dolores Stammer, the manpower of Centenary students and the support of the SBDC.”