Success Story: Stern Auto GmbH
- 10.3.2026
- Reading Time: {{readingTime}} min
Contents
Everything began in 2010 with a violent robbery at the Mercedes-Benz branch in Leipzig at the time. The security guards stood no chance against the perfectly planned operation. The perpetrators stole several high-value vehicles and cash. Vehicle and safe keys were found in poorly secured drawers at the information desk or at sales staff workstations.
As a result, a customized solution for the dealership was developed to ensure that vehicle keys would be securely stored and only issued to authorized personnel in the future. At the same time, internal order tracking needed to become more transparent. After a successful pilot phase at the Leipzig location, the system was rolled out to additional branches in Dresden and Magdeburg.
Intelligent Process Software and Secure Transfer Terminals
A process was developed that integrated all departments within automotive retail from reception and workshop operations to external service providers. The goal was not only to track the exact location of each vehicle and its corresponding key, but also to establish a traceable workflow that would eliminate time-consuming searches for keys and vehicles.
The solution includes both hardware and software from KEBA. In the software, customer orders and internal orders are created and assigned a status. Once all relevant data, such as order number, license plate, parking position, or vehicle ID, has been entered, the key can be deposited in a terminal. All employees and external partners such as towing companies, security services, or cleaning providers are registered in the system and assigned roles and permissions, enabling authorized key retrieval.
The required transponders are also used as a comprehensive authorization medium for example, to lock doors or display permissions, such as access rights in the cafeteria. The terminals are strategically placed, for example at the information counter, in and in front of the workshop, or in the showroom, ensuring short distances and efficient workflows. Once an order is completed, it is marked as finished. The order history then provides a full record of all stages the vehicle and its key have passed through.
Full Transparency Across Orders, Vehicles, and Keys
Has the vehicle returned from preparation? Has the workshop order already started? Questions about an order or the current location of a vehicle can now be answered quickly and easily within the system. It also shows where the corresponding vehicle key is located—putting an end to time-consuming searches.
“Initially, employee acceptance of the terminals was rather skeptical,” says Thomas Bredel, Head of Facility Management at Stern Auto. Employees previously had little experience with handover stations in automotive retail. However, this changed quickly. Staff rapidly recognized and appreciated the many benefits of the integrated solution.
Über Stern Auto GmbH
Today, Stern Auto is one of the largest automotive retail groups in Germany. The company operates 23 locations across six federal states, including Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Magdeburg, Rostock, and Schwerin, as well as Russ & Janot in Erfurt and Autohaus Sternagel in Potsdam. As a multi-brand dealer, Stern Auto offers a wide range of vehicles—from e-scooters to trucks—for both private and business customers. Its premium brand portfolio includes Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-EQ, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, smart, FUSO, and Hymer. Nearly 1,500 employees across Germany ensure customer mobility.
