1970s

Wang was a well-known calculator and word-processing company. When calculators became unprofitable, Wang began manufacturing mini and mid-frame computers with the intention of overtaking market leader IBM.

Wang computers became extremely popular amongst auto dealers. At one point, more than two-thirds of the nation’s dealerships ran their business using a Wang computer system.

1985-86

Back then, computer manufacturers typically outsourced their software development, most often to college professors with a background in mathematics. Such was the case with Steve Fullum, a college professor who was contacted by Wang in 1985 and was asked to create a software program to help dealers calculate payments and do their accounting. The program Fullum developed was initially called MIS and soon became Auto/Mate just a year later. Auto/Mate became the first F&I system for dealers. Wang dominated the DMS market for several years with this product.

In 1986, Fullum recruited his two brothers to join the company. One was an investment banker and the other was a service technician for a technology company. With the additional help, Fullum was able to continue development work on Auto/Mate.

1992

Ultimately Wang’s quest for computer hardware market dominance failed against the backdrop of booming desktop and enhanced microcomputer sales. The company declared bankruptcy in 1992.

Fullum, who had already acquired the rights to Auto/Mate, continued to market and sell the system to dealerships in the northeast following Wang’s demise.

Mid-90s

By the mid-90s, the company had grown to over 10 employees, with Fullum selling one Auto/Mate dealer management system every couple of months.

1999

Fullum passed away unexpectedly in 1999, and Mike Esposito, an Auto/Mate sales representative, was brought in as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Esposito not only had a technology background, but he’d also spent five years as general manager of DePaula Chevrolet in Albany.

2005

Esposito continued to expand the business and significantly increased sales. Dozens of new employees were hired. In 2005, the company was sold to a private investor, at which point Esposito became the President and CEO.

2018

Auto/Mate continued to grow and exceeded 200 employees and a customer base of over 1,600 dealerships nationwide, including clients that had been using the system since it was first marketed and sold by Wang.

2020

DealerSocket, a leading provider of automotive software solutions, acquired Auto/Mate. The combination of DealerSocket and Auto/Mate gave dealers a long-awaited and much-needed alternative for an integrated, connected platform of mission-critical software for dealerships including DMS, CRM, inventory management, digital retailing, website, and equity mining solutions. The combined company supported more than 9,000 dealerships and well over 300,000 active users across its products.

Mike Esposito retired from Auto/Mate after 20 years with the company.

2021

Solera, a global leader in data, applications, and services for insurance and automotive, completed its acquisition of DealerSocket as well as Omnitracs and eDriving. The acquisition enables DealerSocket to become the digital backbone across all areas of a connected dealership, simplifying and improving the retail experience.

With operations in more than 90 countries, Solera continues to expand its position as the preeminent global data intelligence and technology leader, serving all constituents engaged in vehicle lifecycle management.