Martin Waldo played around with an idea for a startup that would help create trust between automotive mechanics and motorists a few years ago.
The idea went sideways at the time, and he put it to the side. Then his son, Austin Waldo, graduated from the University of Michigan early this year, and the father-son duo became inspired.
"We decided to relaunch and try again," Austin Waldo says.
That's how
Optus Software began early this year. The Northville-based startup is creating a software platform that enables mechanics to utilize visual media to help gain the trust of their clients. So when a motorist comes in to get a car fixed, the mechanic can show them pictures or video of the problem and any other problems that arise during the inspection.
"It's a whole 360 transparency experiment so the customer can feel like they can trust the dealership," Austin Waldo says.
Optus Software's team of three people is currently testing the system with a large car dealership group at two of its dealerships in Canton and Plymouth. They plan to sell it to the dealerships as software as a service.
"We're close to having a finalized product," Austin Waldo says.
Source: Austin Waldo, co-founder of Optus Software
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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