AI Imaging Meets Dealership Execution
In today’s automotive retail environment, speed, consistency, and digital presentation are no longer optional. They are directly tied to inventory turn, customer engagement, and profitability.
That is where the partnership between OnSite Dealer Solutions (ODS) and VUMO is creating a measurable advantage for our nationwide dealership clients.
We recently sat down with Tom Freiert, Head of Sales for VUMO, to go beyond the surface of AI vehicle photography and uncover how this technology is actually impacting dealership operations on the ground.
Industry Experience That Drives Innovation
Before joining VUMO, Tom spent over 15 years in automotive detailing and reconditioning, operating multiple shops and managing 60+ employees in St. Louis. His background gives him a unique perspective on the challenges dealerships face daily.
Tom’s experience includes:
- Built and scaled multiple reconditioning operations
- Led photography processes using automated booths
- Served as VP of a photography-focused company for 8 years
Today, Tom is focused on expanding VUMO’s presence in the U.S. market, helping dealerships and auctions adopt smarter imaging solutions that align with real operational workflows.
His mission is simple:
Bridge the gap between reconditioning, merchandising, and digital retailing.
What VUMO Really Means for Dealerships
VUMO stands for “View More”, and that philosophy directly reflects its purpose.
Instead of simply taking photos, ODS and our internal dealership teams use VUMO technology to provide dealerships:
- Automated vehicle imaging processes
- Improved consistency across inventory
- Transparent deliverables that improve customers’ online experience
In short, it ensures that every vehicle online is represented accurately, consistently, competitively, and quickly.
Beyond Photography: Real-Time Performance Insights
One of the biggest differentiators VUMO brings to the table is its real-time analytics engine.
Dealerships are no longer guessing when it comes to their photo process. Instead, they gain visibility into:
- Vehicles missing photos
- Inconsistent image sets across inventory
- Average photo counts per vehicle
- Competitive photo performance within their market
Rather than overwhelming teams with more data, VUMO and ODS translate this into clear, actionable insights that drive accountability and improvement.
This is where the value shifts from photography as a task to photography as a performance metric.
AI-Powered Video That Elevates Listings
In addition to still imagery, VUMO introduces AI-generated video capabilities that enhance vehicle advertising.
Using captured images, the platform can automatically generate:
- 360-degree vehicle video presentations
- Branded visual sequences
- Music-backed or voiceover-enhanced content
These videos help dealerships create a more immersive and engaging online experience, increasing the likelihood of customer interaction before the first click or call.
Consistency, Quality, and OEM Alignment
One of the most common challenges in dealership photography is maintaining consistency across inventory and locations.
VUMO addresses this through real-time AI guidance, helping ODS teams capture images correctly the first time as they are being photographed.
- Real-time feedback ensures proper angles and framing
- Built-in guidance helps “lock in” the vehicle for uniform shots
- Standardized outputs eliminate variability between users
In addition, the platform is fully customizable to meet OEM compliance requirements, allowing dealerships to align their image galleries with brand standards.
Where ODS and VUMO Work Best Together
The real impact comes from combining VUMO’s technology with ODS’s operational execution.
ODS already specializes in make-ready, detailing, and reconditioning workflows. By integrating VUMO into those processes, dealerships benefit from:
- A fully aligned recon-to-merchandising workflow
- Faster transition from service lane to online listing
- Reduced dependency on multiple vendors or internal bottlenecks
Instead of treating photography as a separate step, it becomes a natural extension of the reconditioning process.
Speed to Market: The Ultimate Advantage
Perhaps the most important takeaway from our conversation with Tom is this:
Speed to market is the biggest value driver.
Traditionally, the average nationwide dealership takes 3 days to properly photograph and list a vehicle after recon is complete.
With ODS and VUMO working together, that timeline can be reduced to:
- 24 hours from recon completion to online listing
That acceleration directly impacts:
- Inventory turn rates
- Online visibility
- Customer engagement
- Overall dealership profitability
In a competitive market, being first online with high-quality, consistent imagery is a measurable advantage.
Who This Works Best For
The ODS + VUMO solution is particularly effective for dealerships that:
- Manage high inventory volume
- Struggle with photo consistency or missing images
- Want to improve speed to market
- Are focused on digital retail quality and enhanced customer experience
It is not just about better photos. It is about better processes that drive better outcomes.
The Bigger Picture
AI photography is not just a trend. It is becoming a core operational component of modern dealerships.
What makes the ODS and VUMO partnership different is the ability to connect: Reconditioning + Imaging + Data + Speed into one streamlined workflow.
“Give dealerships a tool that makes capturing and presenting vehicles faster, easier, and more accurate than ever before.”
Final Thought
Dealerships that win today are not just the ones with the best inventory. They are the ones that can present that inventory faster, more consistently, and more effectively online.
That is exactly what ODS and VUMO are solving together. We invite you to learn how AI automotive photography is revolutionizing the car industry.
For more information about how ODS can improve your vehicle inventory photography process, give us a call at 913-912-7384 or connect with us here.
