Does the FTC Safeguards Rule apply to boat dealers?▼
If your dealership arranges or offers financing for consumers, the FTC generally treats you as a financial institution under the Safeguards Rule, and the rule's requirements apply to the customer information you collect. That includes a qualified individual, written risk assessment, access controls, MFA, encryption, monitoring, staff training, vendor oversight and an incident response plan. Cash-only sales and service work are a different case. We're not lawyers, so confirm your situation with counsel. We handle the technical program and the documentation behind it.
Our salespeople text customer documents to F&I. What should we do instead?▼
Texting puts licenses, tax returns and bank statements on personal phones you don't control, and those copies rarely get deleted. Replace it with a secure upload link from the DMS or an e-signature platform, so documents go straight into the deal jacket. If staff need to use phones for work, enroll them in device management so business data can be protected and wiped. We set up the workflow, train the sales team on it and update your Safeguards documentation to match.
Can you get reliable Wi-Fi out to our docks and storage yard?▼
Usually, yes. Water, metal storage racks and long distances make it harder, so we start with a site survey, then use outdoor-rated access points and wireless bridges between buildings where running cable isn't practical. We separate guest and slip tenant Wi-Fi from staff and office networks, so customer devices never share a network with the DMS. If a section of the property can't be covered well, we tell you plainly and suggest cellular options for that area.
Do you support DockMaster and Lightspeed?▼
We support the computers, network, user accounts and integrations around them. That covers user setup and MFA, printer and label issues at the parts counter, workstation performance, backups of any on-premise data and working with the DMS vendor's support team on application problems. We also make sure exports from the DMS, like customer lists or deal reports, end up in protected storage instead of a desktop folder or an email attachment.
What should we do before hurricane season?▼
Confirm the DMS and deal files are backed up to the cloud and that you've tested a restore. Write down how to shut down and protect the server closet, network gear and anything at the docks. Make sure the business office can work remotely with laptops and a cellular backup line if the building loses power or internet. After a storm, check equipment before powering it back on. We run this checklist with you each spring and help with recovery afterward.
We also broker used yachts. Does that change anything?▼
Brokerage adds more outside parties: sellers, buyers, surveyors, documentation agents and closing escrow. That means more emails with purchase agreements and more large wires changing hands. We tighten mailbox protection, add a callback rule for every escrow or closing instruction, secure the listing accounts you use on YachtWorld or Boat Trader with MFA, and make sure brokerage files sit in the same protected, backed-up store as the rest of the dealership.
Do you provide Boat & Marine Dealers IT Services in Houston and nearby areas?▼
Yes. LayerLogix is based in the Greater Houston area and delivers boat & marine dealers IT services to businesses across Houston and the surrounding communities, including The Woodlands, Spring, Katy, Sugar Land, Conroe, Cypress, and Pearland. For most Houston-area clients we can be on-site the same day when something needs hands-on attention, and our help desk is available during business hours, with after-hours emergency support. Call 713-571-2390 to check coverage for your specific address.
What does Boat & Marine Dealers IT Services cost for a Houston business?▼
Pricing depends on your size and what you need, so we do not publish a one-size-fits-all number — but Houston businesses generally pay a flat, predictable monthly fee rather than surprise hourly bills. We start with a free, no-obligation assessment of your current setup, then give you a clear quote in plain English with no hidden costs. That way you know exactly what you are getting and what it costs before you commit.