Spreadsheets are widely used for managing dealership data, but they also present a serious risk to data security. This is especially true in automotive dealerships, where uncontrolled changes to spreadsheet data can have significant consequences. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the common causes of spreadsheet-related data insecurity, and how to avoid them.
Risks of Uncontrolled Data Changes
Uncontrolled data changes are modifications made to a spreadsheet without proper authorisation, structure, or oversight. These changes might occur due to human error, intentional manipulation, or technical issues. The impact can be substantial:
- Errors in calculations
Spreadsheets are often used for financial modelling, forecasting, and reporting. A small error in a formula or a data input can throw off entire calculations, leading to flawed decision-making, missed targets, or budget inaccuracies. - Loss of data integrity
When data is incomplete, inconsistent, or inaccurate, it loses its value. Poor data integrity makes reporting unreliable and can result in poor business decisions, non-compliance with regulations, and damage to your dealership’s reputation. - Potential security breaches
Spreadsheets with weak access controls are vulnerable to unauthorised access or changes. In some cases, this may lead to theft or loss of sensitive data, exposing the dealership to legal, financial, and reputational risk.
Common Causes of Data Insecurity in Dealership Spreadsheets
Here are some of the most common issues that compromise data security when using spreadsheets in a dealership environment:
- Unsecured access
Spreadsheets are often shared via email or stored in shared folders, making it hard to control who can view or edit the file. This increases the risk of unauthorised changes or breaches. - Lack of version control
With multiple users editing the same spreadsheet, it becomes difficult to track who changed what, and when. This makes troubleshooting errors and recovering accurate data more challenging. - Insufficient data validation
Spreadsheets rely on manual data entry, and without built-in validation, users can easily enter incorrect or inconsistent data—leading to flawed analysis and reporting.
How SalesLogs Improves Data Security for Dealerships
As a Dealer Principal, keeping your business data secure is a top priority. SalesLogs is designed to help dealerships move away from insecure spreadsheets by offering built-in features that enhance control, consistency, and security.
Here’s how SalesLogs helps protect your data:
- Access Controls
SalesLogs lets you set role-based permissions, so only authorised users can view or modify specific data. This reduces the risk of unauthorised access or accidental changes to sensitive information. - Version Control
Every change in SalesLogs is tracked, so you can monitor updates, identify who made changes, and revert to previous versions if needed, maintaining data accuracy over time. - Data Validation
Built-in validation rules ensure that data is entered accurately and consistently. This prevents errors at the source and improves confidence in your reporting. - Encryption
SalesLogs uses data encryption to protect sensitive information. This means only approved users can access the data, adding an extra layer of security. - Regular Backups
SalesLogs automatically creates regular backups of your data. In the event of an issue, your data can be recovered quickly and securely.
Final Thoughts
Data insecurity in spreadsheets can lead to costly errors, data loss, and serious security risks. By moving away from manual spreadsheets and implementing a secure platform like SalesLogs, your dealership can ensure its data remains accurate, accessible, and protected.
SalesLogs gives you the tools to manage your sales performance while keeping your data secure, so you can focus on driving growth, not fixing errors.
