In the automotive retail world, the service department has become one of the most valuable assets a dealership owns. While new car sales may rise and fall with the economy, fixed operations — service, parts, and repair — consistently generate strong revenue. However, many service departments still face challenges such as bottlenecks at check-in, unclear communication, inefficient scheduling, and missed opportunities to earn more from each visit.
Xtime, a modern service-operations platform from Cox Automotive, was created to solve these issues by unifying everything that happens before, during, and after a customer’s service appointment.
Xtime offers a fully digital ecosystem that simplifies tasks for advisors, boosts technician productivity, and gives customers a far better service experience. From online scheduling to digital inspections and personalized follow-up messaging, the platform helps dealerships turn every visit into an efficient, transparent, and profitable process.
Why Xtime Has Become Essential for Dealerships
Consumers today expect speed, convenience, and clarity — no matter what industry they’re dealing with. Unfortunately, many service departments still depend on outdated methods such as phone-only scheduling, paper inspections, and manual approvals. These outdated processes lead to long lines, poor communication, and frustrated customers who may not return.
Xtime changes the landscape by focusing on three major goals:
Make service operations more efficient
Increase revenue by improving communication and transparency
Create customer loyalty through better experiences
Dealerships using Xtime typically experience more completed repair orders, higher approval rates on recommended services, and stronger customer retention — all crucial factors in fixed-ops performance.
A Closer Look at the Xtime Platform
Xtime is built around a suite of connected tools, each designed to enhance a specific part of the service workflow. Together, they transform the entire fixed-ops operation.
1. Xtime Schedule — A Smarter Way to Book Appointments
Xtime Schedule replaces manual or phone-based appointment booking with a clean, user-friendly online system. Customers can book service anytime without needing to call, and the system automatically displays available appointment times and maintenance recommendations based on their vehicle.
Core benefits include:
24/7 online scheduling convenience
Accurate availability that eliminates double-booking
Clear service menus and pricing
Flexible customer options, including financing
Reduced workload for service advisors
A smooth booking process increases appointment volume and sets the tone for a positive customer experience.
2. Xtime Engage — A Faster, More Transparent Visit
Engage focuses on improving what happens when the customer arrives. It offers digital check-in options both at home and at the dealership, making the initial steps of the service visit much more efficient. Advisors can communicate updates through text messaging, and customers can approve work digitally from their phone.
Engage offers:
Faster check-in without paperwork
Real-time updates during the service
Online payment options to reduce checkout times
A smoother workflow for advisors handling multiple customers
When customers understand what’s happening and have fewer delays, overall satisfaction increases significantly.
3. Xtime Invite — Personalized Retention Made Effortless
Invite helps dealerships stay connected with customers long after their visit. Using vehicle history and past repair data, Invite sends personalized service reminders, follow-up messages, and targeted offers.
Invite helps dealerships:
Recover lost revenue from declined services
Bring back customers for scheduled maintenance
Drive more traffic during slow periods
Increase long-term service retention
Retention is one of the most important — and profitable — aspects of a successful service department, and Invite handles much of this automatically.
4. Xtime Inspect — Visual Inspections That Build Trust
Xtime Inspect allows technicians to perform detailed digital inspections, capturing photos, videos, and notes that clearly show the condition of the vehicle. This visual transparency helps customers understand exactly what needs attention.
Inspect delivers:
Stronger customer trust through visual proof
Higher acceptance rates for recommended repairs
Better communication between technicians and advisors
Increased repair-order value
Seeing is believing, and Inspect helps customers make informed decisions with confidence.
Why the Full Xtime Suite Works So Well
While each Xtime module offers significant value on its own, the greatest benefits come when dealerships use the entire suite together. Every tool is designed to connect smoothly with the next, creating a consistent and efficient experience for both customers and staff.
For example:
A customer books online through Schedule
They check in quickly using Engage
The technician completes a digital inspection in Inspect
The customer receives updates and approves services via text
Afterward, Invite reminds them about future service needs
This seamless flow reduces friction, increases productivity, and enhances the customer journey from beginning to end.
A Walkthrough of the Customer Journey with Xtime
To understand the impact Xtime has on both sides of the service counter, imagine the entire customer visit:
Step 1: Appointment Reminder
The customer receives a personalized service reminder from Invite.
Step 2: Online Booking
They choose a convenient time using Schedule and see recommended maintenance and pricing upfront.
Step 3: Fast Check-In
When they arrive, Engage allows them to complete check-in digitally in minutes.
Step 4: Transparent Inspection
The technician documents needed repairs using Inspect, including photos and videos.
Step 5: Digital Approvals
The customer receives recommendations instantly and can approve or decline work from their phone.
Step 6: Smooth Checkout
Online payment through Engage allows them to pick up the vehicle without waiting in line.
Step 7: Ongoing Communication
Invite follows up with reminders, offers, and future service recommendations.
This process provides consistency, clarity, and convenience — the three pillars of a great service experience.
How Xtime Enhances Customer Satisfaction
Customer expectations are higher than ever. People want transparency, instant updates, and the convenience of digital communication. Xtime helps dealerships meet these expectations by providing:
Clear pricing and service recommendations
Easy online booking
Digital check-in and checkout
Quick approval options
Visual documentation of repairs
Professional follow-up communication
When customers receive this level of service, they are far more likely to return to the dealership — instead of choosing independent repair shops.
Best Practices for Dealerships Using Xtime
Dealerships that fully embrace Xtime get the best results. Here’s how:
Train advisors and technicians fully on every feature
Promote online scheduling to reduce incoming phone calls
Use digital inspections consistently and include clear visuals
Review Xtime data regularly to track KPIs
Automate customer outreach with Invite
Adopt multiple modules for full workflow integration
A complete, consistent approach amplifies the platform’s value.
Preparing for the Future with Xtime
As vehicles evolve — especially with more EVs entering the market — service departments must adapt quickly. Modern tools like Xtime help dealerships stay prepared by improving workflow efficiency, enhancing data visibility, and delivering better customer communication.
With ongoing advancements from Cox Automotive, Xtime continues to strengthen its capabilities and support dealerships in building sustainable service growth.
Xtime is a comprehensive digital solution that transforms dealership service operations from start to finish. By improving scheduling, communication, inspections, and customer engagement, it helps service departments run more efficiently and profitably. Dealerships that want to elevate their fixed-ops performance, strengthen customer relationships, and modernize their workflow will find Xtime to be a powerful and future-ready platform.