Connected To Success

I remember when my garage mechanic looked for parts flipping through huge paper catalogues that looked like thick phone directories. Today, just as the Internet has made those paper catalogues obsolete, it is making the old ways of doing business obsolete as well.

E-Commerce

Today’s shop management software will provide direct supplier links to parts and tires. Once a part is found, a single click should be sufficient to import the part on the customer’s estimate and another to send the order to the part supplier. This kind of integration should enable a service writer to produce not only the estimate for the customer, but also the purchase order for the part supplier. This is what distinguishes good shop management software from the rest.

Giving your client access to their customer file

Providing access to your customer’s vehicle history or work order means that they will prefer you to other garages that don’t. Allowing a fleet manager to remotely access his file, his invoices or the repair history of his vehicles, is to guarantee an exclusive relationship with him.

Sending reminder letters and invoices by email

This is a great advantage for two reasons: not only it is good for the environment not to produce printed invoices, but you will find more and more clients asking you to send such documents by email. In your research, look for software that can provide this service. Above all, shop around recommended providers before making your choice.

Receive orders through the Internet

Many tire dealers were asking to have integration between their web sites and their management system to allow them to automatically invoice their online sales. Today, some providers offer this option.

Such an electronic integration allows garage customers to choose tires and rims, and place their orders online. Orders are invoiced in a click and integrated to the accounting module. The inventory is deducted. Managers save time and money. This reduces to nothing the time that is spent on the phone checking if we have in stock what the customer is looking for.