In 1985, founders Don Harris and Rick Featherstone set out to solve a real problem. Dealerships were selling third-party warranties with strong margins, but when customers made claims, they were often denied. It damaged trust and hurt dealership reputations.

Harrier gave dealerships control. They could write and underwrite their own warranties, requiring customers to return to the dealership for servicing during the warranty period. That simple shift turned a one-time transaction into a long-term relationship with recurring revenue.

Over time, Harrier expanded into service credits, prepaid plans, and retention programs. The business grew steadily, but the technology underneath it wasn’t built to scale.

When Dale O’Donahoo joined as CEO in 2007, he saw the untapped potential in Harrier’s data. The company rebuilt from the ground up, developing Ignition: a cloud-based platform that lets dealerships issue mechanical protection plans, bundle roadside assistance, automate CRM workflows, and manage customer communications in real time.

“We provide a one-stop shop for auto dealers to connect with their customers,” Dale said.

With real-time analytics and performance tracking, Ignition became the system dealerships rely on to make better decisions and operate more efficiently.

After decades of steady growth, Harrier reached a natural transition point. The goal wasn’t simply to exit. It was to find a partner who could scale the business while protecting the team and what they’d built.

Banyan Software stood out for three reasons: a buy-and-hold model that meant long-term stability, not a flip. A commitment to preserving the team and culture behind Harrier’s success. And the resources to scale the platform in ways Harrier couldn’t do alone.

Harrier joined Banyan in late 2025.

The transition has been smooth. Banyan’s resources, tools, and support are already accelerating the business. With decades of data now fully accessible, Harrier is beginning to leverage AI to help dealerships move beyond understanding what has happened to predicting what will happen, giving them a stronger competitive edge.

“It’s given us the ability to grow and scale at a much faster rate,” Dale says.

With a team whose average tenure is over nine and a half years, preserving the people and culture behind Harrier’s success was central to the partnership. That hasn’t changed.

“Banyan has ensured the strong future of our business and our clients, but more importantly, the legacy we leave behind with our team.”