A guide to auto repair shop software

Parts inventory, work orders, labour workflow, shop administration - there are many components to your auto repair shop that you need to manage. Choosing the right repair shop software however, can ease your workload. This easy-to-use free guide will help you to sort through the myriad of choices and make the right decision to find the software that you need for your shop.

Looking for the right software

At times, you may already know what you want from an auto repair software or you may have a general idea. You may also need to find something to help you to organise and to better control your daily workflow in your shop. In such cases, here are some modules that you might like to consider when looking for your auto repair shop software: Modules - Auto repair help
- Work order database
- Service scheduler
- Parts inventory and tracking
- Receivable and Payables - accounting
- Customer service scheduling.
- Work orders, parts and labour tracking
- Invoicing
- Job repair estimates
- Other shops' technical and administrative management modules

Where to find your software

You can find plenty of auto repair shop software vendors, either through directory listings or the same software company’s websites. Check out trusted sites like ZDnet, Softpedia and Capterra to start your search or use your favourite search engine.

Taking the software for a test

Many software companies provide a demonstration for you to try. This can be a fully workable version that expires in a few days or a free version, with limited capacity, so as to give you an idea of how the software works. This is an excellent way to check the technical requirements - operating system, memory, disk space - and the ease of use. While you test the software, compare your experience to that of others by checking reviews on directory listings or customer opinion sites like Epinion and ZDnet.

Before buying the software

Before you start, you will need to understand very clearly how you are allowed to use the software. Can you install it on more than one computer and in multiple stations? Can you use it as part of a network? What other fees are involved, if any, for upgrades and maintenance? What is the company’s money-back guarantee? Implementation If you are looking for a software to replace the one that you are currently using , ask the vendor for help to transfer your database information, if this is necessary. Support Getting the new software running will require time. Check what kind of technical support will be available to you if you run into problems: will there be a hotline, email, chat line, direct phone number, or on site help? Is help available 24/7?