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Reccomendations for SMS with accounting functions?


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So, I started my automotive repair business about 6 years ago and have just been using quickbooks but it is not really setup for what I do here and I would like to get a dedicated SMS program and I have noticed that one like Maxtraxx has full accounting built in so that it doesnt need quickbooks anymore which could potentially eliminate a $300 per year QB subscription.

 

I have spent hours upon hours watching youtube vids and demo software for different management systems and am at the point of frustration. I do not want Alldata manage because it feels like I have to do too much clicking to navigate around. I have used Mitchell manager in the past but really never set it up to make it efficient and now after reading reviews of tech support not being able to help out with certain functions, I am begining to get turned off of them.

 

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE ALREADY: one bay, but in the near future going to open a second bay next to me with finding a great technician to fill it. This will allow me to focus on office management and service advising. QB pro to create invoices and accounting. I currently subscribe to Motologic for my repair info and labor guide and also Real Time Labor Guide as a backup.

 

HERE IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE: an SMS program that allows me to see my daily, weekly, monthly, annual reports and possibly even a profit monitor button for each ticket to make sure I don't go below my margins. Something to streamline the shop functions. Inventory is a plus. I DON'T MIND DOING AN OUTRIGHT PURCHASE OF A PROGRAM BUT NOT MORE THAN $3K +/- because I plan to grow into it and it grow with my shop. I also don't mind a monthly service. One of the issues is many programs require you to have subscriptions to Mitchell or Alldata so you can integrate labor times into your software. Something that is cost effective

 

Please give me guidance and direction in this area and what you have experienced. Thank you so much.

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Hello,

 

Since you're actively investigating a new management system, here are a couple resource lists with different software vendors to look into.

 

List of CARFAX-integrated partners:

https://service.carfax.com/csn/partners

 

List of Auto Repair Software programs with user reviews:

http://www.capterra.com/auto-repair-software/

 

You might also consider whether or not you plan to take advantage of other third party integrations, such as fellow ASO site sponsor Bolt On Technology's inspection solution, or your preferred labor rate provider like you mentioned.

 

If you call any of our partners for a demo, please tell them I say hello!

 

Good luck on the hunt.

 

Thanks,

Thomas

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I use Mitchell with QB integrattor. In the 9 or 10 years I have used it I have never had a problem with tech support. They recently announced that they are going to release a new interface called back office I believe. Watched a video and it looks like a winner. Just my 2 cents.

 

Where did you find the video?? I want to watch it!!!!

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I've been happy with Mitchell manager, no real problems in seven years. They do come out with updates which require a frustrating relearning curve and price hikes but it works. I export Mitchell data to an excel spreadsheet, my homemade version of quick books and it's good enough.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         3 comments
      Got your attention? Good. The truth is, there is no such thing as the perfect technician pay plan. There are countless ways to create any pay plan. I’ve heard all the claims and opinions, and to be honest, it’s getting a little frustrating. Claims that an hourly paid pay plan cannot motivate. That flat rate is the only way to truly get the most production from your technicians. And then there’s the hybrid performance-based pay plan that many claim is the best.
      At a recent industry event, a shop owner from the Midwest boasted about his flat-rate techs and insisted that this pay plan should be adopted by all shops across the country. When I informed him that in states like New York, you cannot pay flat-rate, he was shocked. “Then how do you motivate your techs” he asked me.
      I remember the day in 1986 when I hired the best technician who ever worked for me in my 41 years as an automotive shop owner. We’ll call him Hal. When Hal reviewed my pay plan for him, and the incentive bonus document, he stared at it for a minute, looked up, and said, “Joe, this looks good, but here’s what I want.” He then wrote on top of the document the weekly salary he wanted. It was a BIG number. He went on to say, “Joe, I need to take home a certain amount of money. I have a home, a wife, two kids, and my Harly Davidson. I will work hard and produce for you. I don’t need an incentive bonus to do my work.” And he did, for the next 30 years, until the day he retired.
      Everyone is entitled to their opinion. So, here’s mine. Money is a motivator, but not the only motivator, and not the best motivator either. We have all heard this scenario, “She quit ABC Auto Center, to get a job at XYZ Auto Repair, and she’s making less money now at XYZ!” We all know that people don’t leave companies, they leave the people they work for or work with.
      With all this said, I do believe that an incentive-based pay plan can work. However, I also believe that a technician must be paid a very good base wage that is commensurate with their ability, experience, and certifications. I also believe that in addition to money, there needs to be a great benefits package. But the icing on the cake in any pay plan is the culture, mission, and vision of the company, which takes strong leadership. And let’s not forget that motivation also comes from praise, recognition, respect, and when technicians know that their work matters.
      Rather than looking for that elusive perfect pay plan, sit down with your technician. Find out what motivates them. What their goals are. Why do they get out of bed in the morning? When you tie their goals with your goals, you will have one powerful pay plan.
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