The Dealership of the Future Starts with Customer Data with Jon Rossi
The competitive advantage for equipment dealerships is shifting. Iron still matters, but the businesses pulling ahead are building stronger customer relationships through better communication, smarter technology, and more effective use of data.
Jon Rossi, founder of Modern, and Managing Director of Digital Iron Group, joins Remi Schmaltz to discuss the technology trends reshaping agriculture and construction equipment dealerships. Drawing from his experience building one of the industry's first dealer communication platforms, Jon explains how something as simple as replacing phone tag with structured digital communication improved technician productivity, reduced service delays, increased customer satisfaction, and strengthened dealership profitability.
The conversation expands beyond communication into the broader forces transforming the industry. Jon shares why OEM acquisitions of technology companies are accelerating, what dealership leaders should make of manufacturer-owned territories, and why ownership of the customer relationship remains the dealer's greatest strategic asset. He also explains why the next generation of dealership software will depend on open integrations rather than closed systems and why modern Dealer Management Systems must become platforms instead of walled gardens.
Jon Rossi, founder of Modern, and Managing Director of Digital Iron Group, joins Remi Schmaltz to discuss the technology trends reshaping agriculture and construction equipment dealerships. Drawing from his experience building one of the industry's first dealer communication platforms, Jon explains how something as simple as replacing phone tag with structured digital communication improved technician productivity, reduced service delays, increased customer satisfaction, and strengthened dealership profitability.
The conversation expands beyond communication into the broader forces transforming the industry. Jon shares why OEM acquisitions of technology companies are accelerating, what dealership leaders should make of manufacturer-owned territories, and why ownership of the customer relationship remains the dealer's greatest strategic asset. He also explains why the next generation of dealership software will depend on open integrations rather than closed systems and why modern Dealer Management Systems must become platforms instead of walled gardens.
Key topics include:
- How faster customer communication improves technician efficiency and service margins
- Why open APIs will determine the next generation of dealership software
- The impact of OEM technology acquisitions and manufacturer-owned territories
- AI adoption strategies that start with business problems, not technology
- Predictions for dealership consolidation, private equity, autonomy, and equipment-as-a-service
About Jon Rossi
Jon Rossi is the Managing Director of Digital Iron Group, a market intelligence platform focused on the technology, investment, and business trends shaping the heavy equipment industry. He is also the founder and former CEO of Modern, a customer communication platform purpose-built for equipment dealerships and rental operations that helped modernize service communication across dealer networks throughout North America.
Jon brings a unique perspective from working across equipment dealerships, software startups, and OEM partnerships. His experience spans dealership operations, customer communication technology, AI adoption, and the evolving dealership software ecosystem. Today, he advises organizations on digital transformation while closely tracking the trends influencing the future of agriculture, construction, mining, and equipment distribution.
Jon brings a unique perspective from working across equipment dealerships, software startups, and OEM partnerships. His experience spans dealership operations, customer communication technology, AI adoption, and the evolving dealership software ecosystem. Today, he advises organizations on digital transformation while closely tracking the trends influencing the future of agriculture, construction, mining, and equipment distribution.
Resources discussed in this episode:
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Contact Remi Schmaltz | Brilliant Harvest:
- BrilliantPowered.com
- LinkedIn: Remi Schmaltz
- LinkedIn: Brilliant Harvest
- YouTube: Brilliant Harvest
- The Equipment Dealer's Guide to Creating an AI-Powered Customer Experience
- Make Your Equipment Experience Brilliant — Schedule a Demo
Contact Jon Rossi | Digital Iron Group:
Creators and Guests
Host
Remi Schmaltz
Farm-born and raised, Remi Schmaltz is a serial Agtech entrepreneur who has successfully built and grown two previous agriculture companies (DynAgra & Decisive Farming). Honesty, integrity, and his focused can-do attitude are what he is known for.
