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Posted

Newer member and enjoying the articles in this site, they have been informative and entertaining.

 

Anyway, I am trying to implement a way to streamline customer's service history so us advisors can easliy look up if or when a particular service has been done. We are using manager plus right now and the only way we can see services history is by looking at each individual visit. Other than using a paper file (which I will not with all the technology out there), I want to have some type of file where I can look up a customer and on that screen, see when the last time a timing belt, trans flush, etc, etc, was done. I do know there are other management software programs that will do it but trying to acclomplish this without changing programs. I have been searching for some time and hoping that someone on here has something that I can use.

 

Thank you and looking forward to being a part of this site.

 

Tim A.

Posted

Newer member and enjoying the articles in this site, they have been informative and entertaining.

 

Anyway, I am trying to implement a way to streamline customer's service history so us advisors can easliy look up if or when a particular service has been done. We are using manager plus right now and the only way we can see services history is by looking at each individual visit. Other than using a paper file (which I will not with all the technology out there), I want to have some type of file where I can look up a customer and on that screen, see when the last time a timing belt, trans flush, etc, etc, was done. I do know there are other management software programs that will do it but trying to acclomplish this without changing programs. I have been searching for some time and hoping that someone on here has something that I can use.

 

Thank you and looking forward to being a part of this site.

 

Tim A.

 

Ask Mitchell about Service Intelligence

Posted

Newer member and enjoying the articles in this site, they have been informative and entertaining.

 

Anyway, I am trying to implement a way to streamline customer's service history so us advisors can easliy look up if or when a particular service has been done. We are using manager plus right now and the only way we can see services history is by looking at each individual visit. Other than using a paper file (which I will not with all the technology out there), I want to have some type of file where I can look up a customer and on that screen, see when the last time a timing belt, trans flush, etc, etc, was done. I do know there are other management software programs that will do it but trying to acclomplish this without changing programs. I have been searching for some time and hoping that someone on here has something that I can use.

 

Thank you and looking forward to being a part of this site.

 

Tim A.

 

Tim, great question. It is vital that each vehicle visit includes a history record search to see what was done, was needs to be done and what was never done. I use Service Intelligence on my Mitchell program. It gives me a quick and easy report on vehicle history; average miles per day driven and the report can be modified to meet your particular needs. SI was developed by E-Auto club and was sold thru Mitchell, but now they are their own again. Your Mitchell Rep can help you.

 

Other than that, I don’t know of any other program that does the trick. And, looking back at the history records takes too long.

Posted

I am trying to implement a way to streamline customer's service history so us advisors can easliy look up if or when a particular service has been done. We are using manager plus right now and the only way we can see services history is by looking at each individual visit.

 

Tim A.

 

No need for specialized software or adding on more modules to the Mitchell Manager Plus. I went through the same prblem until I discovered the solution. There are two methods I use to quickly review the history if I am looking for something specific.

 

First is the SEARCH button at the lower right of the screen when you are in the HISTORY tab. Click SEARCH then type in what you are looking for, (Brake, timing, lube, etc.) The program will then list only the invoices in history that have those items listed. If you type in "TIMING" and no invoices show up then you probably haven't done the timing belt. (Beware of past mistakes in case someone before you has written the ticket incorrectly.)

 

The second method will allow you to review multiple invoice information quickly and is handy in the event you don't find what you are looking for ion the first search, or if it comes up listing several invoices. For example, you search for "TIMING" and the history record changes from 30 down to 5 invoices. That narrows things down but might list things like adjust timing, inspect timing belt, and replace timing belt. In other words anything on any ticket that uses the word "TIMING" will pop up.

 

When you have something like that you can select all the invoices listed (Ctrl+A, or click the top one, hold the shift key and click on the bottom one), then go to the bottom of the screen and click on the PRINT button. The preview screen will come up with a shortened version of the selected tickets. You don't have to print the pages if you don't want to but they are easy to read this way.

 

This 2nd method is also easy if a customer wants a review of all work performed in the past. I offer a print out to customers who stop in to let me know they are moving. That gives them something to show their new shop if they ever need it.

 

Hope that helps,

 

Max (aka Stayfree)

Posted

Tim, great question. It is vital that each vehicle visit includes a history record search to see what was done, was needs to be done and what was never done. I use Service Intelligence on my Mitchell program. It gives me a quick and easy report on vehicle history; average miles per day driven and the report can be modified to meet your particular needs. SI was developed by E-Auto club and was sold thru Mitchell, but now they are their own again. Your Mitchell Rep can help you.

 

Other than that, I don’t know of any other program that does the trick. And, looking back at the history records takes too long.

 

 

Gobbles and Joe,

 

I am looking into service intelligence now, dowloaded the demo but waiting for tech support to help me since I am getting error codes. I think we looked into this many years ago when it was just E-auto club but I believe then it would not integrate into Mitchell. So I will look at it and hopefully works the way I would need it to.

 

Thanks for the reply and help,

Tim

Posted

Nice to know ya Tim, I'm the.. uh-um... entertainment.... oh a little info now and then, sometimes good, sometimes... ya never know...

Oh the managment system I use... I stick a post note to their foreheads... I call it my managment filling system "some-ware" ... that software stuff is over rated...

 

Ok only kiddin... a good mangament system works well.

there's a lot of them out there...

good luck... Gonzo

 

Newer member and enjoying the articles in this site, they have been informative and entertaining.

 

Anyway, I am trying to implement a way to streamline customer's service history so us advisors can easliy look up if or when a particular service has been done. We are using manager plus right now and the only way we can see services history is by looking at each individual visit. Other than using a paper file (which I will not with all the technology out there), I want to have some type of file where I can look up a customer and on that screen, see when the last time a timing belt, trans flush, etc, etc, was done. I do know there are other management software programs that will do it but trying to acclomplish this without changing programs. I have been searching for some time and hoping that someone on here has something that I can use.

 

Thank you and looking forward to being a part of this site.

 

Tim A.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

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      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
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