PBS Systems
PBS Systems is a Calgary-based, privately held software company founded in 1988 that provides an all-in-one v10 APEX Dealership Management System to over 3,500 franchise automotive and powersports retailers across North America and the Caribbean through direct enterprise sales and OEM partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersCalgary, Canada
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What PBS Systems does
PBS Systems is a Calgary-headquartered, privately held software company founded in 1988 that provides a unified Dealership Management System (DMS), branded v10 APEX, to franchise automotive retailers and powersports dealers across North America and the Caribbean. Its all-in-one platform consolidates Accounting, Sales, Service/Fixed Ops, Parts, and CRM/Workplan modules with role-based customization, an integrated Digital Service Suite, online express pay, and complete document management; the system is delivered on Microsoft Windows and is deployed across more than 3,500 rooftops. Revenue is generated primarily through recurring DMS subscriptions sold via a direct enterprise sales motion with regional offices in Canada and the United States, supplemented by paid regional workshops, PBS Academy training, and complementary products from acquired entities ADAM Systems (powersports DMS, acquired 2021) and Dealer Image Pro (AI-powered inventory merchandising, acquired April 2026).
The company's strategic positioning rests on deep OEM integration and certification: PBS is the preferred technology partner of Hyundai Auto Canada and an authorized end-to-end solution provider for GM's mandatory 3Synergy PASE compliance program, and was the first Canadian DMS to enable direct Hyundai warranty claims submission. PBS monetizes through quote-based enterprise subscriptions (pricing not publicly disclosed), paid in-person workshops priced at $295+tax per session, OEM-validated integrations, and a recurring revenue stream augmented by the April 2026 Dealer Image Pro acquisition that added AI-based photography and merchandising tools. Operations span six offices (Calgary HQ, Calgary Tech Centre, Milton ON, Dubuque IA, Arlington TX, Spanish Fort AL) with all development and support kept in-house within North America, and the company maintains AICPA SOC 2 Type 2 certification, annual Dealer Conference events since 1998, and 28 consecutive years of participation at the NADA Show.
PBS Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PBS Systems
- Legal name
- PBS Systems
- Website
- https://pbssystems.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- PBS Systems is a Calgary-based, privately held software company founded in 1988 that provides an all-in-one v10 APEX Dealership Management System to over 3,500 franchise automotive and powersports retailers across North America and the Caribbean through direct enterprise sales and OEM partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PBS Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dealership Management Software
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Process Automation (DPA) & Orchestration Suites (HDAEAHAF)
Keywords
Where PBS Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Calgary
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
PBS Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- DMS Software Subscriptions: Core recurring revenue from dealership management software subscriptions. PBS v10 APEX platform licensed to automotive dealerships across North America and Caribbean. Revenue is recurring based on dealership subscriptions with typical multi-year contract terms.
- Training Services: PBS Academy online training platform, regional in-person workshops ($295+tax per session), and global training webinars provide supplementary revenue and customer success services.
- Acquired Company Integration: Dealer Image Pro acquisition (April 2026) adds automotive inventory merchandising solutions (photography, video, merchandising workflows) to expand revenue streams through complementary software offerings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Regional Workshop - Full Day Training |
| Subscription | Annual | DMS Platform Subscription |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
PBS Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PBS Systems develops and licenses PBS v10 APEX, an all-in-one dealership management system (DMS) for franchise automotive dealerships. The platform integrates accounting, sales, service/fixed operations, parts, CRM, and digital service capabilities into a single Microsoft Windows-based system serving over 3,500 dealerships across North America and the Caribbean. PBS also offers the PBS Academy learning management platform, paid regional training workshops, and acquired complementary products including ADAM Systems (powersports DMS) and Dealer Image Pro (AI-powered automotive merchandising).
Product overview
PBS Systems offers v10 APEX, a unified all-in-one dealership management system platform built over 38 years of innovation. The platform integrates core modules for Accounting, Sales, Service/Fixed Ops, Parts, and CRM/Workplan, plus specialized add-ons including Digital Service Suite for customer-facing digital experiences, Online Express Pay for digital payments, and Complete Document Management. The company has expanded through acquisitions including ADAM Systems (2021) and Dealer Image Pro (2026), the latter bringing AI-powered automotive photography and merchandising tools via Photo Assistant. Training is delivered through PBS Academy (online learning) and Regional Workshops (in-person). The system serves over 3,500 dealerships across North America and the Caribbean, supporting all major OEMs with particular depth in Canadian market integrations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PBS v10 APEX All-in-one dealership management system platform for franchise automotive dealerships combining DMS and CRM functionality. Built on Microsoft Windows with modules for Accounting, Sales, Service/Fixed Ops, Parts, and CRM, plus integrated digital service capabilities. Modern, flexible, future-ready platform with industry-leading performance serving over 3,500 dealerships across North America and the Caribbean.
- Dealer Image Pro Automotive inventory merchandising solution acquired by PBS Systems providing in-house photography, video, 360° imaging, AI-powered background removals, and dynamic window stickers through the Photo Assistant platform. Helps dealerships bring inventory to market faster with consistent, high-quality vehicle presentation using computer vision for background removal and image enhancement.
- ADAM Systems Dealership management software for auto and powersports retailers acquired from Karmak, Inc. in October 2021. Serves motorcycle, ATV, and related vehicle dealerships with similar operational capabilities to automotive DMS but adapted for powersports retail.
- PBS Academy Online learning management system providing on-demand training courses, global training webinars, learning paths by role (Accounting, Sales, Service, Parts, CRM, BDC/Marketing), and certification programs for v10 software users. Serves existing customers and supports onboarding, adoption, and continuous skill development.
- Regional Training Workshops
Quantifiable outcome
- 260 dealers installed and 6,000+ new dealership staff added within one year (2023)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use PBS Systems
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
PBS Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability2 records
Feature8 records
PBS Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Dealer Image ProcoreAcquisition completed April 1, 2026. Dealer Image Pro is Sacramento, CA-based leader in automotive inventory merchandising solutions. Helps dealerships bring inventory to market faster through in-house photography, video, and merchandising workflows via Photo Assistant platform. Dealer Image Pro continues operating under CEO Peter Duffy with Sacramento HQ unchanged. Combined companies represent complementary dealership operations.
- General Motors (GM)corePBS Systems is among few authorized end-to-end solution providers for GM's mandatory 3Synergy program for PASE compliance. Partnership provides GM dealers with integrated tools including GM Service Lane Tools (SLT), PBS Digital Service Suite, Integrated Text-to-Pay, and Online Web Appointments. GM partnership emphasizes simplicity by embedding 3Synergy into daily DMS workflows.
- Georgian College - Automotive Business School of Canada (ABSC)minorFive-year exclusive agreement (starting 2024) provides Georgian College ABSC students access to PBS Systems v10 software. Partnership includes software licenses, expert instruction, scholarships, and sponsorship of Georgian College Auto Show. PBS leaders serve on program advisory committees. New Innovation Lab opened at Barrie Campus May 22, 2025.
- Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.corePBS Systems selected as preferred technology partner by Hyundai Auto Canada. Partnership enables PBS to integrate Canadian Hyundai dealerships with Hyundai-powered innovations including Digital Retail, CRM, and DMS initiatives. Provides vehicle telematics, Bluelink connectivity, transparent eCommerce vehicle purchasing, mobile app workflow integrations, and dashboard analytics. PBS is first DMS in Canada to enable direct Hyundai warranty claims submission.
- ADAM Systems (Karmak, Inc.)minorPBS Systems acquired ADAM Systems division from Karmak, Inc. effective October 1, 2021. ADAM Systems is a dealership management software provider. Acquisition enables growth for ADAM Systems and allows Karmak to focus on heavy-duty vehicle management solutions.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PBS Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CDK Global: One of the largest providers of dealership management systems and integrated technology solutions to automotive dealers in North America. Directly competes with PBS Systems for franchise auto dealership DMS contracts across the US and Canada.
- Reynolds and Reynolds: Major US-based DMS provider serving franchised automotive dealers with end-to-end retail management software. Directly comparable to PBS in offering accounting, CRM, F&I, and service workflows to franchise dealer networks.
- Tekion: Cloud-native automotive retail platform serving dealer groups with a modern, single-instance SaaS architecture. Represents the most credible cloud-first challenger to PBS's Windows-based v10 APEX platform among enterprise franchise dealers.
- Quorum Information Technologies: Calgary-based competitor providing dealership management systems ( xsAutos, DealerMine CRM) to franchise auto dealers across Canada and the US. Headquartered in the same Canadian city as PBS, making it the most direct geographic peer.
- Karmak: Provider of business management software for the commercial vehicle industry including heavy-duty truck dealers. Was the former parent of ADAM Systems (acquired by PBS in 2021), making it a direct comparable in the dealership management software space.
- Frazer Computing: Independent US-based provider of DMS solutions to independent and franchise auto dealers. Competes with PBS primarily in the US independent dealer segment with comparable core modules for accounting, inventory, and F&I.
- DealerSocket: Provider of CRM, desking, and dealership management software to franchise auto dealers. Comparable to PBS in the CRM and dealer workflow layer and a direct competitor in the multi-rooftop dealer group segment.
- Dominion DMS: Provider of cloud-based DMS solutions serving franchise automotive retailers, RV dealers, and powersports dealers. Comparable to PBS in serving both auto and powersports segments with a more modern cloud-delivered architecture.
Broad incumbents
- Cox Automotive (Dealertrack): A division of Cox Enterprises providing a broad suite of automotive technology products including the Dealertrack DMS. Competes with PBS in the same DMS market but as part of a much wider portfolio spanning inventory, marketing, and F&I solutions.
- Solera Holdings: Global automotive data, software, and services company owning multiple DMS brands and dealer solutions. Overlaps with PBS in the broader automotive software stack but competes primarily through acquired dealer software platforms rather than a flagship franchise DMS.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PBS Systems social profiles
Digital presencePBS Systems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
PBS Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PBS Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
PBS Systems subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
PBS Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PBS Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A4 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PBS Systems
What does PBS Systems do?
PBS Systems develops and licenses PBS v10 APEX, an all-in-one dealership management system (DMS) for franchise automotive dealerships. The platform integrates accounting, sales, service/fixed operations, parts, CRM, and digital service capabilities into a single Microsoft Windows-based system serving over 3,500 dealerships across North America and the Caribbean. PBS also offers the PBS Academy learning management platform, paid regional training workshops, and acquired complementary products including ADAM Systems (powersports DMS) and Dealer Image Pro (AI-powered automotive merchandising).
Is PBS Systems a public or private company?
PBS Systems is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was PBS Systems founded?
PBS Systems was founded in 1988. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is PBS Systems based?
PBS Systems is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, in the North America region.
How does PBS Systems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. DMS Software Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are training Services and acquired Company Integration.
Who are PBS Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CDK Global, Reynolds and Reynolds, Tekion, Quorum Information Technologies, Karmak, Frazer Computing, DealerSocket and Dominion DMS. Broad incumbents are Cox Automotive (Dealertrack) and Solera Holdings.
Does PBS Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for PBS Systems.
What industry is PBS Systems in?
PBS Systems's product category is Dealership Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAHAF, Digital Process Automation (DPA) & Orchestration Suites. Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7370.