Never has the adage “time is money” been truer than it is today. One of the reasons why automotive repair shops find it hard to grow their business is the issue of the workflow. Many small shops continue to rely on methods that have long been outdated. The automotive repair business has always prided itself on staying ahead of the “technological curve,” using state-of-the-art tools and software to diagnose and repair vehicles that become more complex and demanding every model year. However, rather than appreciate how automotive repair software can drive their business to new heights, they keep using paper and pencil and outdated storage and retrieval systems.
Manage Workflow
To profit from an automotive repair business, the owners must automate those processes that constitute the shops workflow.
The process starts when the customer enters the facility. It is at this time a work order is generated. Employing sophisticated repair software improves the ability of the technicians to diagnose the problem because the customer-supplied information is captured better.
Workflow management helps the service manager find “slack periods,” thus taking full advantage of getting work done that has to be done, but not when the shop schedule is full. The mechanic will have the time to inspect the customer’s vehicle, inviting them to return to work that is not necessary today but will need attention shortly.
Many shops are not taking full advantage of technology. In the past, preparing and delivering a mailer was time-consuming and costly. Today, email reminders and marketing promotions are easy to do, and most definitely help the business grow.
Shop workflow should start long before the customer arrives and stop well after the customer leaves. Repeat business is vital to the success of any business; automotive repair software can help ensure customers are satisfied. It is a fact that satisfied customers continue to keep coming back for vehicle service and repairs.
