DealerVu (a Constellation Software product) is built for multi-location dealer chains. Here's where that fits — and where it doesn't.
DealerVu is genuinely best-in-class for marine dealer chains running 3+ locations on a single database — that's its sweet spot and that's a real strength. HelmDMS is built for the independent boat shop running one or two locations who wants modern tools without enterprise pricing or year-long contracts.
| HelmDMS | DealerVu | |
|---|---|---|
| Target customer | 1–2 location independents | Multi-location chains (3+) |
| Pricing | $499/mo flat, public | Quote only ($$$$) |
| Per-seat fees | No | Yes |
| Contract | Month-to-month | Annual contracts standard |
| Implementation | 2–3 weeks | Months — heavy onboarding |
| Multi-location single DB | Multi-tenant ready (per-location billing) | Best in class |
| Built-in GL | QuickBooks sync | Yes |
| F&I | Boat deal flow (lighter) | Full |
| Built-in SMS | Yes — included | Partner integrations |
| Automated voice calls | Yes | No |
| Caller ID popup | Yes | No |
| Live multi-supplier search | Yes — exclusive | No |
| AI invoice scan-to-inventory | Yes — via ExoInvoice integration | No |
| Modern UI | Yes — fast, mobile-first | Functional but dated |
| Third-party ecosystem | Smaller, growing | Smaller than Lightspeed |
| Support | Direct line, US team | Constellation/Vela corporate |
If you operate 3 or more marine locations on a single corporate entity, manage cross-location inventory transfers daily, and need rollup reporting that doesn't require a CFO with a spreadsheet — DealerVu is the right answer. The price tag is significant, but the alternative is duct-taping multiple Lightspeed instances together, which is worse.
If you run one boat shop (or two close-together locations), you do not need DealerVu. You need a modern, fast DMS that ships the features that matter day-to-day — POS speed, parts efficiency, customer communication, supplier ordering — at a price that doesn't make you wince. That's HelmDMS.
The honest math: DealerVu's licensing alone for a small marine dealer typically lands in the four-figures per month, plus implementation, plus support tiers. HelmDMS at $499/mo flat funds a part-time hire's worth of difference per year.
DealerVu exits, like most enterprise DMS exits, are gated by your annual contract. Plan 6+ months out. We can run HelmDMS in parallel during the wind-down so the cutover is smooth. We migrate customers, units, parts, vendors, and open work orders.
Independent shops shouldn't pay enterprise prices. Founding-dealer slots lock in $499/mo for life.
$200 refundable deposit until kickoff.