What We Learned from RTP’s Joey Ballew on Making the Move to YardSmart
Switch Happens: What We Learned from RTP’s Joey Ballew on Making the Move to YardSmart
Switching software can feel like a leap of faith. We hear it all the time: “The devil you know is better than the one you don’t.” Or… “It’s going to be painful, time-consuming, and my team will hate it.”
We get it. Change is tough.
That’s why we sat down with Joey Ballew, VP of Self-Service Operations at Road Tested Parts (RTP), to get the real story. Joey’s been in this business for 18 years - and has seen it all. His team runs four self-service yards as part of RTP’s growing 18-19 location network. When they decided to move from their outdated industry -known legacy server software to YardSmart, it wasn’t just flipping a switch - it was a strategic move to transform operations.
Here’s what we learned from Joey about the challenges, surprises, and wins that came with making the switch.
The Challenge: A System That Couldn’t Keep Up
Joey’s team had used a legacy industry server-based software since 2012. For a single yard, it worked fine. But once RTP grew to four self-service locations under a corporate structure, cracks started showing:
Server-based headaches - Buyers had to run multiple virtual machines for multi-yard operations, causing lag and constant crashes.
Offline scanner issues - Teams had to manually upload data at the end of each day.
Photo chaos - Taking pictures required SD cards, file renaming, and multiple uploads. Joey called it “a nightmare.”
Limited flexibility - Customization was minimal, and innovation felt stagnant.
"If I had to describe 'Our old software' in one word? Cumbersome." – Joey Ballew
The Tipping Point
When RTP created a centralized buying department, the old system became unmanageable.
"Our buyers had to log into multiple virtual machines. It slowed everything down and crashed constantly. We needed one system, web-based, that could handle everything."
That’s when Joey started testing YardSmart at a single yard.
The Switch: Easier Than Expected
Joey admits he had zero fear about switching - and here’s why:
Demo access for nine months - RTP tested YardSmart thoroughly before committing.
Must-have features delivered - YardSmart built a quoting system Joey required before saying yes.
Partnership mindset - "They listen and adapt. Unlike other providers, YardSmart actually implements changes."
When it came time to roll out to three more yards, the only real challenge was re-attaching photos:
Hebron yard had 1,400 vehicles
The process took 3-4 weeks while still running daily business
Joey says this work was optional but worth it because "photos drive sales."
"Other than the photos, setup was easy. Your parts list comes over, your stock numbers stay the same, and your team just learns where things are now."
Team Reactions: From Hate to Love
"When I gave my team demo access, the first two days they said, ‘We hate it.’ After exploring the system, they all switched to ‘We love it.’ It’s faster, smoother, and simpler."
Objection: What if it takes too long to learn? Joey’s answer: "I was comfortable in 2-3 weeks. My team picked it up quickly too."
Why It Was Worth It
Centralized buying - One system, all yards, instant control
Web-based speed - No more VPNs or virtual machines
POS flexibility - Unlimited warranties, custom discounts, and photos attached to parts for easier training
Innovative mindset - YardSmart adds features based on user requests
"Switching to YardSmart was the best decision we made for simplicity across multiple locations."
Key Takeaways for Anyone On the Fence
Yes, photos take time - but they’re optional and worth it
The rest of the setup is straightforward
Your team will adapt faster than you think
YardSmart isn’t just a vendor - it’s a partner focused on your success
Ready to Make Your Switch?
[Book a Demo] and discover why more operators like Joey say, "I wish we’d switched sooner."
