Salesman Derek Cain had his first introduction to automotive software solutions before joining the BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY team.
“I’ve actually seen it just by going to my own mechanic, not knowing it was Bolt On’s software,” Cain said of the company’s Mobile Manager Pro tool, which enables auto repair technicians to meet customers at their vehicles and begin carrying out digital multi-point inspections. The software includes license plate scanning and decoding functionality, the ability to take
I never set out to develop software add-on solutions that would revolutionize the auto repair industry.
All of that happened by accident.
Prior to founding BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY, I worked as a Microsoft developer and taught evening classes at a school district near my suburban Philadelphia home. It was in the classes that I met an auto repair shop owner and his wife, who asked me to help with their shop’s software programs.
When I saw how out-of-date the system was, a light went off in my
The #1 most-requested Report Pro feature is here!
Report Pro customers have been asking for the ability to view multi-point inspections on a desktop and now that functionality is here!
The Inspection Manager addition, which has been rolled out for Mitchell1 SE Mobile Manager Pro users - and will be forthcoming for other shop management systems - allows a service advisor to review/edit an inspection from the desktop, making it easier to share results in person with a customer.
The new feat
AutoVitals' monthly Service Advisor Huddle in October focused on feedback from shop owners about their best practices using SmartFlow.
Watch the Highlight Video or take in the full recording of the Service Advisor Huddle.
Whether you're a beginner, a seasoned Mobile Manager Pro user, or somewhere in between, our 7 step-by-step training videos will help you to more easily decode license plates and VINs, capture customers' signatures electronically, perform digital multi-point inspections and more.
As always, the information entered into tablet devices automatically transmits into leading shop management systems without any additional effort, or double entry on your part.
To view our latest training video
Determine what you want from exhibitors post-expo now.
With so many booths, workshops and more at the AAPEX Show, it would be virtually impossible to leave Las Vegas with all of the information you need to effectively grow your business.
That’s why receiving follow up from exhibitors that align with your goals is imperative.
How do you do that? Follow these simple tips to gather all the post-show information you need.
1.Set guidelines
Communicate your preferred follow-up
We were excited to welcome Jason Malo with Advanced Automotive for his presentation at our AutoVitals University yesterday. Jason's insights in running a successful Auto Repair and Service facility helped us further understand what new benefits SmartFlow and TopFuel can offer and how we can tailor our customer service. Thank YOU.
Check out the latest update from Murphy’s Autocare. Where they transform their front counter The monitors with the SMS are embedded in the counter. And two touch screens will not only host SmartFlow for the service advisors, they also can be swiveled around so customers get educated.
The greater Philadelphia area automotive software solutions developer ranked #36
Not only has BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY remained at the forefront developing innovative add-on solutions powering the nation’s independent auto repair shops’ ability to automate daily operations, increase efficiency and boost profits, the Downingtown, Pa.-based company has ranked as one of the 2014 fastest-growing, privately-held businesses in the Philadelphia region by the Philadelphia 100®, the Wharton Small
With thousands of exhibitors and countless products, it’s important to know which questions to ask AAPEX Show exhibitors.
In my last blog, I suggested that shops consider researching the exhibitors whose products or services align most closely to the shop’s main goals and map out a plan to make the most of the limited time available.
Now that you’ve decided which booths you will be visiting in Las Vegas Nov. 3-6, it’s time to think about what questions you might want to ask exh
At SEMA 2014, AutoVitals will be showcasing SmartFlow, the first and best paperless systems for the independent auto repair industry. There will be live demonstrations of how you can improve the process and automate the workflow at your shop. You will see how your shop can become a AutoVitals Certified Digital Inspection Location and how that can save your customers both time and money.
We will be giving away an iPad mini with every copy of SmartFlow purchased at the show. Visit us at Booth 3
BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY will exhibit at the show, which is set for Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas.
In a matter of weeks, thousands of exhibitors will fill 1 million square feet of the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada as part of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX).
Businesses, particularly automotive repair shops, have much to gain from the vast educational offerings, as well as the latest and most innovative products and business solutions on display Nov. 3-6.
How can you see and do i
A case study following D&H Enterprises, a 9 bay shop in Concord California, while they move from yesterday’s technology into the future. Recently, owners Dave and Mary Kemnitz made the decision after 20 years in business that it was time to take a look at workflow automation to help improve their business process. D&H chose AutoVitals SmartFlow, which combines digital inspections, tablet based worksheets and visual workflow displays unified with world class workflow automation to get the
SmartFlow Enables up to 40% Increase in ARO
Using Digital Inspections and Workflow Management are the centerpiece of SmartFlow. Their real effectiveness comes to light when introduced together with policies and procedures specific for your shop.
Allow me to introduce four shop owners and general managers, who implemented those policies and procedures and increased their ARO by 20%-40% in app. 7 months.
I am honored to have Brian Bates, Dan Garlock, Russ Hilliard and Bill Connor on our panel
The automotive software solutions provider will demonstrate its Welcome Station customer check-in touchscreen tool during the show.
Are you heading to the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) on Nov. 4-6 in Las Vegas, Nevada?
In addition to expanding your knowledge base through various Webinars and educational offerings, be sure to stop by the BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY booth (#2983) to learn about the many proven benefits of our mobile technology. We would love to meet you and to de
Email, Text, Push Notification – Right Here and Now
SmartFlow offers multiple ways to communicate with the motorists when you want to
Send them the inspection results and estimate
Make sure they know that the vehicle is ready for pick up
Remind them that Loyalty Points can be used for payment
or a simple email about requested information
Lets take a look at the Today’s Vehicles Page (TVP) how easy it is to start a message. The image below shows a vehicle tile with two markers
The automotive software solutions provider will demonstrate its Mobile Manager Pro tool during the show.
Are you heading to the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) on Nov. 4-6 in Las Vegas, Nevada?
In addition to expanding your knowledge base through various Webinars and educational offerings, be sure to stop by the BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY booth (#2983) to learn about the many proven benefits of our mobile technology. We would love to meet you and to demonstrate how our fully dig
Bolt On Technology, LLC has been selected for the 2014 Best of Downingtown Award in the Software Company category by the Downingtown Award Program.
Each year, the Downingtown Award Program identifies companies that it determines have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. According to the Downingtown Award Program, winners are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY customers who use the Pro Pack suite of automotive software solutions, which includes Lube Sticker Pro, Report Pro and Message Manager software modules, can now take advantage of new features. The software add-on solutions have been upgraded for Mitchell1 and NAPA TRACS shop management systems.
Lube Sticker Pro, which, in addition to printing lube stickers and key tags and advance scheduling maintenance appointments based on customers’ driving habits, mileage milestones a
Following the massive recall of more than 6 million Firestone tires in 2000, federal law mandated that tire retailers take steps to notify customers of a tire recall.
Until recently, that meant bookmarking each tire manufacturer’s Web site, navigating there and inputting the customer and tire information, according to Tom Gebbie of Lansdale, Pa.-based Gebbie’s AutoCare.
A self-described “good typer,” Gebbie, who sells 1,000 to 1,200 tires a year, said he was able to carry out the registr
Spring and summer months are historically busier times for auto repair shops. Of course it would be great to keep that steady traffic coming into your bays day in and day out, each and every day through fall and winter too. But, how do you do it?
A stay-busy year-round solution is easier to attain than you may think.
Dentists, doctors and hair salons all use advance scheduling to ensure their respective professionals do not confront empty appointment books. The auto repair industry shoul
What’s the one daily task that simplifies your shop life, increases upselling opportunities and dramatically boosts profits?
For a growing number of shops, the most important task involves snapping customer vehicle condition photos and sharing them, along with digital multi-point inspections and repair orders, with customers.
The sentiment that a picture is worth a thousand words has perhaps never been truer than for a customer literally staring down evidence of needed, and most times un
Competition in the marketplace is the biggest challenge Eric Russo has faced in his 22 years of owning four greater Philadelphia area auto repair shops.
The biggest contender of all in his quest for higher profits and a larger customer base has been dealerships, Russo said.
But, Russo said he finally found a tool to not only even the playing field, but to make his shops “better than the
dealerships.”
In short, Russo and his employees are setting themselves apart from the competition
