Since 1989, Medlin Equipment Company has been a trusted partner for farmers and multigenerational farm families, offering Case IH and Kubota equipment at its two locations in Miner and Charleston, MO. Known for friendly, dependable service, Medlin Equipment Company is committed to keeping customers coming back. We chatted with David Lingle, Parts Manager at the Miner location, to learn how DIS software has played a key role in supporting their dealership’s growth and ensuring smooth operations, particularly in the parts and service departments, for over a decade.
Day-to-Day Parts Operations
What does a typical day at Medlin Equipment look like for you?
David Lingle: “I wear a lot of hats. I’m the Parts Manager for Kubota and assist with other sideline orders like Case. I handle parts ordering, stocking, and service writing for Kubota. During harvest season, we’re especially busy, and a typical day involves helping customers with parts, processing orders, and making sure our inventory is up to date.”
Which features of the DIS software do you find most helpful in your job?
David Lingle: “Several features help with placing orders and managing parts. For example, I can easily look up past orders and inventory, which is helpful when customers come in asking for something they bought a while ago. We also use DIS for parts posting and maintenance, and it keeps our inventory in check.”
David’s Favorite DIS Features:
- Order Placement: Easily copy and view previous orders, speeding up the parts ordering process.
- Historical Records: Quickly look up past sales and customer history, even from years back, to assist with repeat orders.
- Inventory Management: Keep stock organized and helps track inventory efficiently.
- Parts Transfer Tickets: Easily manage inventory and communicate between locations, helping to better serve customers.
- OEM Integrations: Interface with top manufacturers, suppliers and software providers directly in DIS.
- Reliable Support: DIS works closely with Kubota and other manufacturers, ensuring quick resolution of issues.
Keeping Customer Satisfied
Have you noticed any change in customer expectations over the years?
David Lingle: “Yes, customers used to be more demanding, but now they’re a little more understanding if we don’t have something in stock. I think the advancements in technology have helped with that. Many customers, especially the younger generation, can look up parts and communicate more clearly with us, making the process smoother.”
How do you collaborate with the Charleston parts department to provide a consistent customer experience?
David Lingle: “We’re able to transfer back and forth through a parts transfer ticket, and communication is very good. We try to keep communication open between us as far as those parts go, where we can help customers from both ends. We just try to keep communication open, knowing what our inventories are on each end, to help each other and to help the customer.”
Working with Manufacturers
Can you give an example of when DIS helped you solve a problem?
David Lingle: “One time, we had an issue with our order numbers not processing correctly. The numbers I was getting back were older, and it wasn’t creating new order numbers. DIS worked with Kubota and helped us figure out the communication issue. They got everything straightened out, and I haven’t had an issue since.”
Does DIS help with your relationship with Kubota?
David Lingle: “I think it does. The fact that DIS works with Kubota helps simplify our processes. If there’s ever an issue, I know I can reach out to someone on either side and get the help I need. For example, with SmartSupply, I’m confident it will help streamline things even more.
Preparing for the Future
How are you preparing for next year’s parts ordering?
David Lingle: “Kubota’s SmartSupply system is something we’re looking to implement, and DIS has provided helpful information for that. It will help us manage our inventory more efficiently by analyzing stock and suggesting orders based on sales history. I think it will streamline our process and free up some of my time to focus on other tasks.”
What advice would you give to someone considering DIS for their dealership?
David Lingle: “DIS is innovative and reliable. Whether you’re a small or large dealership, they can meet your needs. DIS has always been helpful and knowledgeable when problems arise, and they’ve helped us keep our business running smoothly.”
Are you interested in learning more about how DIS can be your dealership management partner? Get in touch with one of our dealership experts.
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