FAQ - Hera AI

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Hera AI

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General

What is Hera AI?

Hera AI is an intelligent virtual agent designed specifically for the automotive industry. It handles your incoming leads, communicates with your customers via email and SMS, and can even coordinate appointment bookings — all instantly and autonomously.

Who is Hera AI for?

Hera is designed for automotive dealerships looking to modernize their lead management. Whether you're an independent dealer or a group with multiple locations, Hera adapts to your reality.

With Hera, you can:

  • Respond instantly to every lead, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Speed up the connection between your potential customers and your sales team
  • Standardize the quality of your customer service across all communications
  • Avoid losing opportunities due to slow response times
  • Allow your team to focus on high-value conversations

How does Hera work?

The process is simple and fully automated:

  1. Lead reception: Hera receives leads from your various sources: website, ads, automotive marketplaces
  2. Intelligent analysis: It analyzes the customer's intent and context
  3. Personalized response: It sends a tailored response according to the timelines we've set together
  4. Automatic follow-up: If the customer doesn't reply, Hera follows up according to your parameters
  5. Appointment booking: When relevant, it can book directly into your calendar

Does Hera manage multiple locations?

Yes. Each location has its own configuration: communication tone, inventory, CRM, and settings tailored to its reality. At the same time, groups have a centralized overview to track performance across all their dealerships from one place.

Is Hera designed to replace my BDC team?

No. Hera is designed to complement your existing BDC team, not replace it. It handles repetitive tasks (first contacts, automatic follow-ups, appointment bookings) so your agents can focus on high-value conversations and closing sales.

Hera also enables effective collaboration, even for BDCs with multiple agents. When a team member takes over an interaction, the customer is automatically removed from the list of clients awaiting your intervention.

Does Hera learn and improve over time?

Yes. Improvement is continuous and happens in two ways: your feedback and observations allow us to adjust Hera's behavior, and the Hera team regularly optimizes performance based on data and results. The more Hera works with your dealership, the more effective it becomes.

Setup

How do I get started with Hera?

We organize a meeting to customize your new virtual employee. Together, we configure its communication tone, standard responses, and processes based on your dealership's reality.

No technical skills are required on your end. Our team takes care of everything.

How long does implementation take?

We estimate approximately two weeks, from the configuration meeting through preparation, testing, and final activation.

We also organize a meeting with your team to train them on how to use the tool, as well as best practices related to AI.

Does Hera work with my existing lead sources?

Yes. Hera integrates with all major lead sources used in the automotive industry, including marketplaces, ads, and your website.

AutoHebdo CarGurus Kijiji Otogo Cars.ca Facebook Ads Website

Does Hera integrate with my CRM?

Absolutely. Hera integrates with the major CRMs used in the automotive industry:

Activix PBS SM360 D2C

Does Hera have access to my inventory?

Yes. Hera connects directly to your website to access your inventory in real time.

Supported platforms:

Tadvantage SM360 D2C Magnetis

Lead Management

What types of leads does Hera handle?

  • Vehicle purchase inquiries (new or used)
  • Test drive requests
  • Vehicle appraisal requests
  • Questions about Carfax reports

How many leads can Hera handle simultaneously?

There is no limit. Hera can process an unlimited number of conversations in parallel, with no wait time or loss of quality. Unlike a human, it will never be overwhelmed, whether you receive 10 or 1,000 leads in the same day.

How does Hera handle duplicate leads?

When the same customer submits requests from multiple sources (for example, AutoHebdo and your website), Hera automatically detects this and consolidates the interactions to avoid redundant communications.

The new request is never ignored. However, certain rules can be put in place to ensure smoother behavior and prevent the customer from receiving two simultaneous responses.

How are leads assigned to my salespeople?

Your current CRM settings take priority. Hera respects your existing assignment rules, whether by rotation, territory, brand, or any other logic specific to your dealership. No changes to your internal processes are needed.

What does Hera do if a customer is frustrated or rude?

Hera remains calm and professional at all times. It detects the tone of the conversation and adapts its responses with empathy. If the situation escalates, it immediately alerts your team so a member can take over and handle the situation in a personalized manner.

What does Hera say if a vehicle is no longer available?

Several options are available to you. Generally, Hera inspects your inventory to find similar alternative vehicles to offer the customer. The exact behavior is configured according to your preferences during setup.

Example: A customer submits a request for a black 2023 Civic listed on AutoHebdo, but the vehicle was sold this morning. Hera checks your inventory and suggests two other available 2023 Civics: one grey and one blue, with their respective mileage and prices.

Does Hera recognize returning customers?

Absolutely. We manage humans, not tickets.

If a customer submitted a request days or weeks ago and comes back with a new interest, Hera recognizes them and adapts its interaction based on the history.

Example: A customer had their 2019 Hyundai Elantra appraised five days ago. Today, they submit a new request for a new 2024 CR-V. Hera connects the two interactions and can mention their appraisal to naturally steer the conversation toward a trade-in.

Can Hera provide prices?

This is fully configurable based on your preferences. You can choose to have Hera share the prices listed on your website, give a price range, or redirect the customer to your team for any price-related questions. This setting is defined during setup and can be adjusted at any time.

Can Hera search for information on the web?

No, and this is a deliberate choice. We chose to control Hera's information environment to avoid any inaccurate or unverified data. Hera relies solely on your internal data: your inventory, your settings, and information validated by your team, to ensure the reliability of every response.

Follow-ups and Appointments

How do follow-ups work?

Follow-up timelines and frequency are established in collaboration with you. Hera can follow up in several scenarios:

  • Customer not reached after a first attempt
  • Customer who stops responding during a conversation
  • Post-dealership visit follow-up
  • Reminder before a confirmed appointment
Example: A customer confirms a test drive of a Mazda CX-5 for Saturday at 10 AM. Hera automatically sends them a reminder on Friday evening with the dealership address and the name of the advisor who will greet them.

Does Hera follow up at all hours?

Yes and no — it depends on your preferences. We can configure together the time window during which Hera performs its follow-ups, to respect your customers' habits and your dealership's business hours.

Can Hera book appointments?

Yes. When a customer wants to book an appointment, Hera checks your availability and suggests suitable time slots. Once the appointment is confirmed, it automatically appears in your calendar.

Collaboration with Hera

Can I stop Hera in a conversation?

Yes. Via the extension or the portal, you can pause Hera on a specific conversation to take over directly.

Can I intervene in a conversation?

Absolutely. A member of your team can "whisper" information to Hera at any time. It then takes care of refining the message, correcting it, and selecting the appropriate language.

Example: A customer asks if the powertrain warranty covers a transmission replacement on a certified pre-owned vehicle. Your sales manager whispers the coverage details to Hera, who reformulates the answer clearly and sends it to the customer in their language.

What happens when Hera doesn't have the answer?

Hera immediately notifies your team. You then have two options:

  • Take over and respond to the customer yourself
  • "Whisper" the answer so Hera can continue the conversation

Hera will never make up information.

If Hera is waiting for my team on a question, does it stop?

No. Hera continues the conversation with the customer even while waiting for your help on a specific point. It carries on with other topics being discussed. In fact, an appointment is often secured in the meantime, while your team prepares their response.

How does my salesperson communicate with the customer?

To optimize the customer experience and avoid crossed communications, your representative communicates through their CRM. This approach keeps a centralized history and ensures consistency across all interactions.

Extension and Tools

Where can I download the Chrome extension?

The Hera AI extension is available directly on the Chrome Web Store:

Download the Hera AI Chrome Extension →

Can I view the conversation history?

Yes. The complete history of each conversation is accessible in two places: directly in the Hera portal (panel.heraai.ca) and in your CRM. You can review all exchanges between Hera and your customers at any time.

Can I schedule a message?

Yes. Via the extension, click on the clock icon and your message will be generated automatically. If the result doesn't suit you, you can cancel it and generate a new one.

How do I get a new token?

Contact your manager. In the Hera portal (panel.heraai.ca):

  1. Go to the Users section
  2. Select the relevant user
  3. Click on Generate a new token

Language and Customization

Is the agent's name Hera?

No! Hera AI is the name of the platform, but your virtual agent will carry the name of your choice. During your setup meeting, you'll choose a name that matches your dealership's image.

What language does Hera respond in?

Hera is fully bilingual. It automatically detects the language used by the customer — French or English — and responds in that same language.

Do I have access to the prompt?

The prompt is managed by the Hera team to ensure optimal response quality. Prompting has become a profession in itself.

However, you retain control over several important parameters:

  • Displayed interest rates
  • Current promotions
  • Desired communication tone
  • Preferred sales approach

How long does a promotion or interest rate change take?

It's instant. As soon as you make the change, Hera adapts immediately and uses the new information in its next conversations. No delay, no intervention from our team required.

Security and Privacy

Is my customer data secure?

Absolutely. Protecting your customers' data is a priority. Hera uses secure, encrypted connections for all communications. Data is hosted in compliance with applicable standards and is never shared with third parties.

Is Hera compliant with Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)?

Yes. Hera automatically detects when a customer expresses the wish to no longer be contacted. As soon as such intent is identified, Hera immediately ceases communications with that customer, ensuring compliance with CASL and your customers' wishes.

Do customers know they're talking to an AI?

It's up to you to decide whether or not we disclose the nature of the agent. You can opt for upfront transparency or only disclose upon the customer's request. This decision is configured during setup according to your preferred approach.

What safeguards are in place to prevent issues?

Hera is governed by several rigorous protection mechanisms:

  • No fabrication: Hera never makes up information. If it doesn't know the answer, it notifies your team rather than risking an inaccuracy.
  • No financial or legal advice: Hera never comments on financial or legal matters. It redirects the customer to the appropriate resources.
  • Strict confidentiality: Hera never shares one customer's information with another. Each conversation is isolated and confidential.
  • Manipulation protection: Hera detects manipulation attempts or prompt injection and systematically ignores them.

What does Hera do if a customer asks an off-topic question?

Hera politely declines and redirects the conversation back to automotive topics. It is designed to stay focused on its mission: assisting your customers with their purchase, appraisal, or appointment booking process.

Example: A customer asks Hera for its opinion on municipal elections. Hera courteously declines and brings the discussion back to the vehicle the customer is interested in or the next steps in their process.

Support

How do I contact the support team?

Our support team is available by email at [email protected]. There are no fixed hours. We are committed to responding to your requests as quickly as possible.

What happens if Hera encounters a technical issue?

Our team actively monitors the platform's performance. In case of an issue, contact us at [email protected] and we will intervene as quickly as possible.

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Have more questions?

Our support team is available to help you.

[email protected]
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