We get that looking for a new shop management system can be overwhelming. There are a lot of options to wade through, and a lot of features you need to learn about. But most are probably of you are probably thinking “can this tool do what I need it to?”
To help you wade through all the options out there, the best way to find the right tool for the job is to look for information from the people using those tools every day. That means shop owners, general managers, service advisors, and technicians.
Of course, word of mouth is great, and it's always awesome to get the chance to talk to shop owners and workers in person at industry events, but you don't have to wait. With so many resources at their disposal, we wanted to help shop owners looking for a new shop management system leverage the wealth of information out here like online reviews, user groups, and case studies to help them make the best decision for their team.
Finding the Best Online Shop Management Software Reviews
The best part about the internet is just how much information you can find! But you gotta know where to look. And while you might not be too familiar if you haven't made a software purchase before, we've got you covered.
G2 Reviews
The beauty of G2 is the dedication to creating a resource for business owners, managers, and workers just like yourself and your team.
Users, like shop owners, service managers, or even technicians, can log onto G2 and write reviews of their experience using different tools and platforms.
These reviews help G2 put together an overall score for each specific platform, making it easier for buyers to learn more about the tools they're shopping around for, before buying, with insight only from actual users.
We're a big fan of G2 in particular. And we can't lie -- transparency is part of our game-- we're a little biased… because of how much our users on G2 love us. Check out our highlights from the Summer and Fall of 2023!
Google Reviews
The most obvious source for reviews would be Google. Simply because the majority of people use Google to find and review businesses, they'll use Google to review their shop management system.
Just like how you'd look for reviews for your local pizza place, search the company’s name, and the reviews will pop up in the company’s business profile.
At a glance, you’ll be able to see the overall rating users have given the company, and can get more specifics by clicking on the reviews.
However, you might start to see why G2 is such a great resource. While Google reviews are the easiest to find, they’re not necessarily going to be the most in-depth.
Users will generally leave a sentence or a paragraph describing their experience without the larger context around who their business is, what their role is, and how their shop uses their platform.
Company Case Studies
Auto repair shop software companies frequently publish customer case studies that elaborate on how their customers have benefited from their system, as well as how they’re using it.
Case studies can give you the most in-depth information because they are based on detailed interviews the company conducts with its customers.
By reading case studies, you can identify shops that have had similar challenges to you.
See how Sam strategically leveraged Tekmetric to elevate his customer experience, yielding remarkable results in average repair order, customer feedback and more.
What to Look For in Automotive Repair Shop Software Reviews
Whether you turn to software review sites, Google, case studies, or a mix of all of these sources, there are several general things you should look for when you’re reading automotive repair shop software reviews.
What to Look For
Why It Matters
Desired features in a shop management system
Look for reviewers who mention specific features to guage the quality of the system.
Reviewer tenure
Longer tenure generally means a better udnerstanding of the pros and cons.
Reviewer's job title
Different reviewers (shop owners vs service advisor vs technician) will have different perspectives.
Likes and dislikes
Knowing what reviewers don't like is just as important as what they do like.
Ease of transition
Smooth onboarding is important to get up and running quickly and efficiently.
Customer support experience
Good customer support is crucial for quick issue resolution and business operations.
Of course, there are some specific types of phrases you should look for as well, based on what you want to prioritize from a shop management system. Here’s a rundown:
[insert table]
Next Steps for Finding the Right Shop Management System for You
After reading multiple automotive repair shop software reviews, you still might want to gather more information before you set up a demo with the company.
You can get that information from various sources:
Reach out to the reviewers themselves
Ask your existing network
Join coaching groups
Read industry publications
Follow shop management systems on social media
Protip: Try to look out for user-groups!
The Tekmetric User Group is an amazing resource for all things Tekmetric and shop management. This dedicated Facebook group is exclusively for current Tekmetric users, where they can provide feedback or ideas, ask questions and network with other shops. Plus you'll get extra insights on new releases and upcoming updates!
Questions to Ask When Searching For Automotive Repair Shop Software
After you’ve narrowed down your search, you might decide it’s time to schedule a demo with the team behind the shop management system you’re considering.
Here are some good questions you can ask during a demo:
“Who makes up your leadership team—any former shop owners?”
"What specific features do you have to help me boost my shop’s profitability?”
“What specific features do you have to make my team’s operations smoother?”
“Do you offer email and text notifications as part of your communication tools, so we can reach our guests more effectively?”
“How can I best save time at my shop by using your shop management system?”
During the demo, take notes and ask follow-up questions if needed. If you can, try and schedule a second demo with a few of your service advisors and technicians.
Find the Right Shop Software For You and Your Team
Tekmetric is the cloud-based shop management system designed for Auto Repair Professionals who are driving the industry forward.
At the end of the day, customers want to feel like they can trust your shop, they know they'll be taken care of, and you're only doing the repairs that are most necessary.
On the other hand, your shop wants to bring in as much business as possible, and generate as much revenue as you can with the time and resources available to your team. That's made possible with the right tools for the job, streamlined and efficient processes, and transparent communication with your customers.
Better operations means smooth repairs, smooth repairs means happier customers, and happier customers means more business.
When your shop is trying to run like a well-oiled machine, any breakdown in workflow can lead to delays, a frustrated team, and unsatisfied customers.
For example, if a customer's repair takes longer because the part you thought you had in stock is actually on back order, they're going to be less likely to return.
That's where shop management software comes in. Just any other tool in your shop, there will be a return in your investment.
What if we told you that you can get even more value out of the work you already do with the right processes in place?
Adjusting your pricing on parts to make a profit is pretty straightforward. But when it comes to labor times for auto repair shops…that’s where things can get a bit tricky. Yes, you need competitive labor rates, but you also need to keep those rates reasonable so you don’t scare off your customers with sky-high prices.
3 ways your shop can make more money on labor:
By using a labor matrix
By creating custom labor rates
By applying a labor guide markup
Before we dive into the differences between these three methods for setting the best labor times at your shop, here’s a quick refresher on the one thing these methods have in common: the labor guide.
What is a Labor Guide?
A labor guide is like the gospel of labor times for auto repair shops. It tells you how long, on average, it takes to complete different types of repair work. Remember that the times listed in auto repair labor guides are averages, so it’s best to treat them as a starting point.
Factors That Can Affect Labor Times for Auto Repair Shops
Let’s take a look at some of the factors to consider when determining how much to mark up (or mark down) your shop’s labor rates.
Age of Vehicle
Older vehicles are often trickier to fix, especially because finding parts for them can require a time-consuming hunt across parts suppliers. You can make up for the time spent hunting down uncommon parts by charging more for all repairs involving vehicles over a certain age.
Geographic Location
Some areas lead to different types of repair challenges that can affect the time it takes for repairs. For example, shops in Syracuse, New York—the snowiest city in America—might find themselves working with cars that have rust, which can significantly add to the time it takes to remove or even clean certain parts.
Experience of Technician
Chances are, you’re already paying experienced technicians a higher base salary or hourly rate. However, certain situations might call for cranking up those numbers, like if you really need to put their skills to the test for a tricky repair for a client who wants it done ASAP.
Customer Needs
You can offer customers who need their cars back fast a “Pro Tech” rate, where your tech wraps up the job in record time. When you’re asking techs to complete a job faster than the time on the labor guide, and still do a good job, the customer is getting special service. Be sure to let customers know that speediness comes with a surcharge.
Relationship With Customers
It’s a good idea to consider giving loyal customers a special rate as a token of appreciation. With that said, industry leaders advise sticking to your labor rates as much as possible, because if it becomes a habit, you risk financially harming your business.
How to Choose a Reliable Labor Guide
A reliable auto repair labor guide is foundational for your shop when you’re setting labor rates, so you’ll want to use a labor guide that stays up-to-date with the latest labor times in the industry. Just like many people use online directories instead of the Yellow Pages, many auto repair shops use digital labor guides that are constantly updated with the latest labor times.
When seeking out a digital labor guide, look for one that:
Offers consistent, comprehensive data on labor times from industry leaders, so you can set accurate labor rates that will keep your shop profitable
Adds labor times for new vehicles and jobs periodically, so your shop’s pricing can stay competitive
Integrates with your auto repair shop management software, so you don’t have to dig through multiple systems
The answer to that question depends on a number of factors, and getting the right categorization for each part is crucial for maintaining healthy profit margins while minimizing the risk of rush orders and frustrated customers.
Inventory and Stock Management to Minimize Complexity
When you and your team are replacing parts during repairs, it’s important to consider what parts you have on hand versus what parts you’ll need to order.
If you don’t, you risk overstocking and sinking money into too many units of a particular type of part, or understocking and making a customer wait while you hope that the expedited shipping for a part pulls through.
By having the right inventory and stock management processes in place, you can make it easier for your service advisors and technicians to avoid frustrations.
Here are some best practices for inventory and stock management at your auto repair shop.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)