CANTON — Anyone who has tinkered under the hood of a car knows that the technology in automobiles has advanced greatly, so it only makes sense that the technology involved in selling those cars has progressed as well. Those advancements have helped create a successful business at Frazer Computing, Inc. Michael Frazer, company president, […]
CANTON — Anyone who has tinkered under the hood of a car knows that the technology in automobiles has advanced greatly, so it only makes sense that the technology involved in selling those cars has progressed as well.
Those advancements have helped create a successful business at Frazer Computing, Inc. Michael Frazer, company president, started the firm from his Atlanta, Georgia home about 30 years ago with a software program he wrote for one used-car dealer. Initially, Frazer provided software services for other types of clients, but the used-automobile software side of the business continued to grow. In 2001, Frazer Computing began to focus full time on serving the auto industry, and, during that same year, relocated to Canton, New York.
Located at 6196 State Route 11, the business has continued to grow as its software has become an invaluable tool for dealers.
“It’s really software they need to run their whole business,” Frazer says. The software provides all the necessary accounting services, manages all the paperwork associated with a used-vehicle purchase, manages vehicle inventory, and even manages finances. That’s particularly important for dealerships that provide financing to buyers, Frazer says, as the software helps those dealers keep track of payments.
Making sure that those dealer clients can stay on top of their business means that Frazer Computing (www.frazer.biz) has to stay on top of changes in technology, Frazer says. For that reason, the company has 10 programmers on staff who work daily to update the software that Frazer Computing designed and developed.
“We send out new releases almost daily,” he says. That’s just one element he believes sets Frazer apart from its competition.
The other element is the price. Frazer says it was important to him to make the product affordable. A dealer can use Frazer software for as little as $500 a year. The aggressive pricing policy has resulted in brisk business, he adds.
“We expect over 4,000 dealers will purchase our software this year,” he says. Last year, Frazer Computing added about 3,800 new customers and 3,000 the year before. It currently serves more than 13,400 customers total.
Those increased sales have led to increased employment at the business, which added 20 new people last year. With 60 employees on staff now, the company is almost at full capacity in its current facility, so a building project is also in the works.
Building plans
Frazer Computing moved into its current facility in 2010, when it was just 5,000 square feet. In 2012, the company added another 5,000 square feet. The facility can hold about 10 more employees before more space is needed, Frazer says, and he already has plans to add that many employees this year.
So, Frazer also has plans to begin work this year on a three-story, 14,000-square-foot building right next door to the current facility, connecting the buildings with a covered walkway. Frazer expects to break ground this year and finish the first floor by the end of the year, with plans to build out the second and third floors as needed. Along with office space, the building will contain a 200-seat auditorium to replace the 60-seat auditorium the company currently uses for its daily morning meeting.
At this time, Frazer has had preliminary talks with architects and Canton municipal officials, but has not finalized any plans.
