Home › Forums › Auto and Truck Shop Management Software › Best shop management software
-
Best shop management software
Posted by Matthew Colgate on November 2, 2019 at 6:40 pmHello I’m getting to the point of needing a shop management program . Seems to be many to choose from . I’m small independent shop owner working on just about everything cars trucks heavy equipment you name it I dont tend to turn down very much at all . Thanks in advance for recommendations an help on deciding which to choose
Carlos replied 4 months, 3 weeks ago 17 Members · 28 Replies -
28 Replies
-
Matthew, the answer to this is going to be highly dependent on what you want the software to do for you. Shops vary greatly. Owners want different things even when the shops are similar. We suggest:
1: Make a list of features that are important to you.
2: Review the comparison chart and see which software systems fit your list.
3: Look at the detailed survey results for the ones you selected and narrow your list down further.
4: Contact the ones remaining and ask for a demonstration.
5: Ask questions in the forums on this site.
Software is arguably the most important piece of equipment that you will purchase, so it is worthy of spending the effort to get it right.
Good luck!
-
Matthew
I agree with Tom in making a list of what you want, in additional to that put them in order of importance.
It may not be possible to get everything at your price point. You may have to let some things go.
But also realize once you pick a system it can be difficult to change to another system without losing some information, re entry of some info, not to mention the time and even downtime of the system.With that in mind one thing I would recommend is take full advantage of the trial period. Use the system exactly the way you would in the shop. Try every aspect of the software.
If you have anyone else that will use the software have them try it as well.I am a one man shop also and I researched all the software out there when I started but ended up with software that’s just OK. I wish I had spent more time in the trial period.
Sorry I don’t have a software recommendation.Jeff
-
We like ShopWare. I’ve tried several.
-Cloud based, so you can access it anywhere on anything
-Easy to add pictures and videos to document things
-Paperless
-Easy to create custom inspections and checklists
-Regular updates
-The owner of the company also owns a repair shop and knows what we are up against.
-Customers can access the repair order online and approve work online; easy documentation when work is approved
-Easy to learn
That’s the quick list of what I like. Good luck.
-
Matthew,
Before you start looking at software programs, I strongly recommend coming up with a list of musts, a list of wants, and a list of like-to-haves from a software system. The reason I say this is because it’s very easy to get caught up in all the bells and whistles you’ll see in a demo possibly causing you to make a decision on a system that doesn’t really meet your needs.
I hope this helps!
Rick
-
Huge leap. I’ve been through 11 software changes over the years. I am happy to say that Shop-Ware has been phenomenal in many ways. Not traditional, mind you, but amazing overall. You’re embarking on a huge move potentially, I encourage you to call many shops. You’ll never make a great decision based on forum comments or ratings. You may reach me at
ask for Dean RE: shop software and I’ll make sure you get to me. Please again, contact a lot of shops. All software is a compromise but many of those compromises are simply a change in approach to your end game. Hopefully I’m not crossing forum etiquette barriers here providing contact info. Again, please take your time and have many conversations.
-
I like the YES system by Pace software. Been using it since 2006. As others said, make a list. Then research. Then demo. It will take time. The yes system doesn’t look as flashy as some of the others but it’s capabilities are huge and I’ve never lost data. Support is good. Scalable from one shop to as many shops as you want. 800-336-1615. Ask for Dave.
-
All of the above are great ideas and points. Additionally I’d seek out a shop that is currently using the software you are considering. See it in Real action in a real environment.
There is no perfect solution. Find the on the fits you best.
-
Someone already said is but shops are. Found some interesting info as well. One day a Bosch rep stopped by. Apparently they are now the largest holder of stocks in the company. Software is so good they bought up as much as they could.
-
Hello I’m getting to the point of needing a shop management program . Seems to be many to choose from . I’m small independent shop owner working on just about everything cars trucks heavy equipment you name it I dont tend to turn down very much at all . Thanks in advance for recommendations an help on deciding which to choose
I have used AutoTraker since 1997 and it does the job. Simple program.
-
We changed to Shop Ware a year ago. We are a BCS and are very pleased with the product. Our customer base and staff like it alot.
Call me if you have questions.
Mike
JB Import Automotive
727 743 5951
-
I use ro writer not bad its a lot of money I think I paid 15,000 I dont like the monthly thing like from Mitchel
-
We’ve written a buying guide for shop management software that may help.
-
Hello I’m getting to the point of needing a shop management program . Seems to be many to choose from . I’m small independent shop owner working on just about everything cars trucks heavy equipment you name it I dont tend to turn down very much at all . Thanks in advance for recommendations an help on deciding which to choose
All depends on what you want to do with software program. Inventory, sales tracking, etc. Many of these programs have trial periods. Test them out but before you do that figure out what you need the program to do for you
-
Matthew, the answer to this is going to be highly dependent on what you want the software to do for you. Shops vary greatly. Owners want different things even when the shops are similar. We suggest:
1: Make a list of features that are important to you.
2: Review the comparison chart and see which software systems fit your list.
3: Look at the detailed survey results for the ones you selected and narrow your list down further.
4: Contact the ones remaining and ask for a demonstration.
5: Ask questions in the forums on this site.
Software is arguably the most important piece of equipment that you will purchase, so it is worthy of spending the effort to get it right.
Good luck!
we are using ro writer it a very intense program dont use alot of it I dint think there is one out there that does it all first thing is you need a company with good support second I want to own my program hate paying every month for some thing you dont own had a big problem years ago with all data shop program never again
-
I have used AutoTraker Plus since 1997 and have had no complaints
-
💬 My Experience with RAMP Garage Management Software
Having used RAMP for over 8 years now, I can’t help but commend its reliability and effectiveness. From day one, it’s been my go-to solution for managing my garage operations seamlessly. Here’s why I swear by RAMP:
✅ Longevity and Evolution: I’ve seen RAMP grow and evolve since its foundation, adapting to the ever-changing needs of the automotive industry.
✅ All-in-One Solution: RAMP covers everything I need for efficient garage management, from customer communication to scheduling and feedback collection.
✅ User-Friendly Interface: Navigating RAMP is a breeze, with regular updates keeping it intuitive and up-to-date.
✅ Global Impact: It’s astounding to know that RAMP now serves over 10,000 garages worldwide, a testament to its effectiveness and scalability.
✅ Exceptional Support: Whenever I’ve needed assistance, the support team at RAMP has been prompt and helpful, ensuring smooth operations.
In short, if you’re looking for a reliable, comprehensive, and user-friendly garage management solution, RAMP is the way to go. Highly recommend it to fellow garage owners! 🛠️🌟
-
Hello Matthew,
Are you tired of juggling multiple tasks to manage your workshop
efficiently? Look no further than 5iQ Workshop Software! As a seasoned
user, I can attest to its effectiveness in streamlining operations and
boosting productivity. Let me introduce you to some of its standout
features:- Dashboard
- Marketing AI
- Mobile Apps
- Customer and asset management
- Workshop Management
- Digital Inspection Report
- Smart Scheduler
- Reports
Hope this will help you and if you have any doubts or questions feel free to ask me.
Thanks,
-
Matthew,
There are many things to consider with a service management system. We have been using Shop-Ware for 5+ years. Does that make it the best? Nope, but it works for us. The thing about these systems is not just what you want but what is the customers experience? No longer is the SMS just for your use, its about what the customer experiences in using you system. Consensus in my 20 Group is Shop-Ware or Techmetric. All of the programs do a 1000 functions and it is difficult to make a decision going in. My advise, get a program with a great DVI and customer communication platform. Making the sale and courting the customer is the top priority.
Regards,
Mike
-
I didn’t realize this was such an old topic. It just poped up in my email when there was another post.
Mike
-
You provided info that was not available at that time. We like new input!
-
-
I have used programs such as Shopmonkey, ALLDATA, AutoRepair Cloud, Mitchell1, and Tekmetric. From my experience, I can say the following:
AutoRepair Cloud: Offers excellent value for money, with numerous mobile applications for both clients and the shop. Although their diagrams are not the best, the functionality and mobile app support are impressive.
Shopmonkey: Has many advanced features but can be a bit challenging to learn at first. It might be ideal for shops that need more complex functionalities.
ALLDATA: Provides excellent access to technical data and repair manuals, but it can be expensive and not as intuitive for managing customers and daily tasks.
Mitchell1: Very comprehensive in terms of data and technical support, but I found it lacking some workflow configuration features that I needed.
Tekmetric: A good option with a modern design and many functionalities, but it can be more expensive than other options.
Currently, I use AutoRepair Cloud due to its balance of price and functionality.
-
Te escribiré en mensajes privados si no te importa, me gustaría preguntarte sobre los servicios que ya has utilizado, en particular sobre ARC, ya que el período de prueba es de dos semanas, y me gustaría saber más detalles.
-
I don’t even know what else to say. Try it out for yourself, especially since there’s a free version of ARC available. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask, and I’ll help with what I know.
-
I’ve started using the free version of ARC, and so far, I have no questions. I’m getting familiar with the program. At the moment, everything is fine, but if any questions arise, I’ll reach out to you if you don’t mind.
-
If you need anything, feel free to reach out. I’ll share what I know about AutoRepair Cloud.
-
I’ve been using AutoRepair Cloud for more than a month, and overall, it’s a pretty good service. The affordable price is always a plus. I noticed that some guides and training materials are missing, although it’s not an issue for me. In general, if you compare it to more expensive alternatives like ShopMonkey, there is a difference, but from what I can see, it’s not that significant.
-
I’ve been using RAMP Garage Software for 6 years, starting with its initial web version, like many other software solutions. Now, it’s available on both Android and iOS, and it has significantly simplified our operations. It has streamlined management tasks for our employees, making everything much easier and more efficient. RAMP truly offers a simple yet effective management solution.
rampglobal.com
RAMP: Garage Management Software for Automotive Repair Workshop
Manage automotive workshop billing, invoicing & estimation with RAMP Auto Repair Garage Workshop Management Software, designed for car & vehicle mechanics shops.
-
Log in to reply.