Modern Shop Management Software

[nkabbara]

Hello All,

 

My brothers and I have been running a car dealership for the last 10 years and are looking into expanding into the auto repair side of things. I started my research into Shop Management Software and boy is the market saturated! I've gone through at least 60 applications and 11 demos. The following systems made my short list (order irrelevant):

 

http://simpleflowsystems.com

https://mitchel1.com

http://napatracs.com/contact-us

Each one of these has their pros and cons, but I felt like Andrioli's HITS Auto Repair would be the best fit for us. I was surprised that they aren't mentioned anywhere here on the forum. I suspect it's because they started as a tire shop management app.

Has anyone here tried them? Pros? Cons?

Thanks in advance!

-Nash

[Jeff]

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[nkabbara]

  On 10/26/2015 at 4:38 PM, Jeff said:

Looking at the HITS site I only see a management system. What will you use for repair data? I use Mitchell and have for a long time. Its not everything for everybody but it works well for me.

 

Hi Jeff, for repair data either AllData or Mitchell. HITS will pull the Mitchell labor rates in for pricing purposes, but no more than that.

[mikerisich]

  On 10/26/2015 at 2:06 PM, nkabbara said:

 

Hello All,

 

My brothers and I have been running a car dealership for the last 10 years and are looking into expanding into the auto repair side of things. I started my research into Shop Management Software and boy is the market saturated! I've gone through at least 60 applications and 11 demos. The following systems made my short list (order irrelevant):

 

http://simpleflowsystems.com

https://mitchel1.com

http://napatracs.com/contact-us

Each one of these has their pros and cons, but I felt like Andrioli's HITS Auto Repair would be the best fit for us. I was surprised that they aren't mentioned anywhere here on the forum. I suspect it's because they started as a tire shop management app.

Has anyone here tried them? Pros? Cons?

Thanks in advance!

-Nash

 

 

Hi Nash,

 

Nice to meet you!

 

You’re right about shop management systems, they each have their pros and cons, and none of them are perfect. The thing that matters most when deciding which direction to go is how you’re going to need it both presently and in the future.

 

For instance, you may want to enhance your shop management system down the road with something like digital multi-point inspections, or the like, and may not be to find a compatible solution if you’ve chose the wrong management system.

 

That being said, we have vast experience and knowledge with several of the top management systems on your short list. If you’d like, we be happen to give you thorough advice on which system may be right for you. We can be reached at 610-400-1019, press 2.

 

If you’re going to AAPEX/SEMA this year you can find us at the Mitchell 1 and Omnique booths. Here’s the info: http://boltontechnology.com/sema-and-aapex-2015-show

 

Hope this helps.

[nkabbara]

  On 10/27/2015 at 4:41 PM, mikerisich said:

 

Hi Nash,

 

Nice to meet you!

 

You’re right about shop management systems, they each have their pros and cons, and none of them are perfect. The thing that matters most when deciding which direction to go is how you’re going to need it both presently and in the future.

 

For instance, you may want to enhance your shop management system down the road with something like digital multi-point inspections, or the like, and may not be to find a compatible solution if you’ve chose the wrong management system.

 

That being said, we have vast experience and knowledge with several of the top management systems on your short list. If you’d like, we be happen to give you thorough advice on which system may be right for you. We can be reached at 610-400-1019, press 2.

 

If you’re going to AAPEX/SEMA this year you can find us at the Mitchell 1 and Omnique booths. Here’s the info: http://boltontechnology.com/sema-and-aapex-2015-show

 

Hope this helps.

 

Thank you Michael. I'll be sure to call you before we commit to any of those.

 

 

-Nash

[mikerisich]

Hey guys,

 

If you’re a Manager SE or ShopKey SE user, this is for you.

 

I want to give you a head up regarding a common break-down in productivity and efficiency that most shops are experiencing.

 

Long story short, if you haven’t taken the time to learn and customize your management system to be ready to produce the levels of results needed to push your daily operations forward, then you’re missing out on opportunities to help run a better business.

 

I want to be completely clear, this is an unnecessary struggle; one that is now completely avoidable thanks to a team of Auto Repair Veterans that we've been working with. Collectively they have over 50 years of experience, and have helped me develop an easy solution to this headache.

 

To learn about why this struggle exists and how to fix, check out Grow Your Business with Jump Start.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

[ATLAuto]

Out of your list, R.O. Writer is the best, BY FAR. I have researched every single one of these plus many more. Go with R.O. Writer - you will not look back.

 

I say this as a shop owner who has run MAM VAST for a number of years (VAST is used by tire stores, particularly Goodyear) and recently switched to R.O. Writer. It has improved every aspect of our business within 2wks of implementing it. I am beyond happy with it. PM me if you want any details.

[sparkerauto]

We use autofluent and it works very well for us.

[Dmitry]

You should look at this one as well.

FastTrak Auto Shop Management Systems

714-230-3960

www.fasttrakauto.com

[Jeffrey]

I don't see Pace on the list? We have been using them for almost 10 years. I like the preventive maintenance tracker. Its prints due dates and mileage on the invoice and allows you to send out emails or postcards with maint. due. If you have problems they are very quick to respond and resolve the issue.

I would recommend checking them out. http://www.pacecomputer.com/

[mspecperformance]

cloud based SMS would be very helpful. Since the SMS market for our industry runs at a snails pace I wonder when more companies will adopt this. I would rather not worry about my database being wiped out by a cup of coffee.

[Trealubit]

Bump on Omnique. Great system, cloud based and full of features. From appointments, reminders, productivity and efficiency tracking, parts ordering, text and email and more. Little pricey but totally worth it.

 

Check out RO writer as well. I liked it but not cloud based.

[xrac]

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[flacvabeach]

After trying Alldata and NAPA Tracs years ago, we settled on RO Writer and added on Autovitals for workflow, DVI, website, CRM. We went the other way - from repair got into car sales and found the same situation - lots of DMS packages and how do you know which is best? We are using Comsoft MonyMaker because it is recommended by the Virginia Independent Auto Dealers Association. It's kind of old school but has good functional coverage and great support.