Procede Software is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Founded in 2001, the company has focused on delivering modern dealer technology designed to support operational performance and long-term customer success.
Over the past 25 years, Procede has supported more than 1,200 rooftops across North America, many of which have partnered with Procede for decades. The milestone reflects both the company’s continued evolution and the role its customers, partners and employees have played in shaping its growth.
“This milestone reflects the trust our customers have placed in us and the dedication of our employees. We’ve always believed our role goes beyond providing software — we’re a long-term partner in how our customers operate and grow — and that belief continues to guide how we invest in our technology and our services,” says Larry Kettler, CEO and chairman of Procede Software.
When Procede entered the market, many dealerships were operating systems that limited flexibility, restricted access to business data and relied on aging technology. These constraints often made it difficult to adapt to changing business needs or access the information required to make timely decisions. Procede took a different approach, prioritizing transparency, data ownership and systems designed to align with real-world operations rather than requiring customers to adapt to rigid technology.
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“We’ve been a Procede customer since 2006, and they’ve been a valuable partner for our business. Their platform gives us the visibility and control we need to manage operations effectively, and their team understands how dealerships actually run. As we’ve grown, they’ve continued to evolve the product in ways that support our business,” says Brad Heil, vice president of IT at McCoy Group.
From the beginning, Procede designed its platform on Microsoft SQL Server and adopted a Windows user interface at a time when green-screen systems remained common. The company says these early decisions created a platform that gave customers greater access to their data, improved usability and the flexibility to adapt as their operations evolved.
The company also established a model in which customers retained ownership of their data while maintaining direct access to it. This approach continues to be a core part of Procede’s platform and philosophy, the company says.
Today, Excede DMS continues to evolve through cloud deployment with Microsoft Azure and ongoing enhancements that support reporting, workflow efficiency, and operational visibility across departments. Procede remains a Microsoft partner and continues to invest in platform scalability as customer businesses grow, the company says.
“Technology in this industry needs to evolve alongside business operations,” says Eric Fortin, executive vice president of product at Procede Software. “Our focus has been on delivering a platform that supports that evolution without adding unnecessary complexity.”
Procede Software’s product innovation has been recognized through multiple industry awards over the years. The company’s Excede v10 platform was named Enterprise Software Product of the Year in the Best in Biz Awards, and Excede Analytics received the same honor, recognizing its advanced data and reporting capabilities.
Procede also maintains a 99% customer retention rate, with long-standing relationships spanning decades. The company’s earliest customers remain active users today, having grown and, in some cases, transitioned across generations while continuing to rely on Procede’s platform, the company says.
That same consistency is reflected internally as well. Members of Procede’s leadership team have an average tenure of more than 14 years, providing continuity that mirrors the long-term relationships the company maintains with its customers.
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“Our longevity comes from a culture that prioritizes accountability, transparency, and genuine partnership with our customers,” says Deanna Cocco, chief customer officer of Procede Software. “We’ve earned long-term relationships by listening to our customers, delivering consistent service and staying closely aligned with how our customers operate and grow.”
As Procede enters its next phase, the company says it continues to invest in product development, cloud infrastructure and AI-powered solutions. Its roadmap is focused on simplifying workflows, expanding access to actionable data and helping businesses operate with greater speed and visibility.
“We are proud of what we have accomplished over the past 25 years,” Kettler says. “Now, our priority is to keep investing in the technology and service our customers depend on as their businesses evolve. Long-term partnerships are built on consistent delivery and ongoing innovation — not just promises.”
