The features and capabilities found in modern repair shop software will fall into two main categories:
Ultimately, the modern features we’re about to dive into will free up your time as a shop owner. Instead of stressing over small day-to-day details, you’ll be able to focus more on the high-level aspects of advancing your business.
When researching different repair shop software options, the baseline feature you should look for is that it is cloud-based.
Cloud-based repair shop software means that you can use the system from any device that has internet access. You no longer have to rely on workarounds or bulky, clunky hardware that might crash, become corrupted, or get damaged.
With cloud-based software, your team can work more efficiently and autonomously. Technicians can type inspection notes from their smartphones without having to leave their bays, service advisors can check a repair detail if they’re out running an errand, and you can work remotely from anywhere with internet access—even at a trade show or as you’re spending time with your family.
Another benefit of cloud-based repair shop software is that you don’t have to pay for and manage expensive overhead costs, like buying new hardware and hiring third-party support staff. And because all of your data is on the cloud, you’ll have more peace of mind that your shop won’t suffer from data loss if the hardware breaks down.
Real-time reports are one of the most useful tools for making savvy business decisions.
Real-time reports provide deep insights into the health of your business, like your average repair order, car count, close ratio, and gross profit. With real-time reports, you can instantly get an accurate picture of how your business is doing; you don’t have to spend valuable time painstakingly running calculations.
By diving into metrics, you can get answers to important financial questions that will guide you as you grow your business. For example, you’ll be able to determine if you can afford to hire more technicians or install that new bay. Or, if you see that your shop isn’t doing well during a certain quarter, you can increase your marketing efforts to turn things around.
Workflow tools enable your team to seamlessly collaborate, removing barriers to productivity.
With workflow tools, service advisors gain a holistic overview of every repair order currently at the shop, and which technician is working on what, so they can appropriately assign repairs. Technicians will know exactly what they are responsible for. Your team can work together in harmony, without interrupting each other’s flow.
A repair shop where service advisors and technicians are running back-and-forth to clarify details and update each other is a chaotic one. It also sends a negative message to your customers when they see that chaos. With workflow tools, your team members can get a bird’s eye view of what’s happening by logging onto the system, and will be able to collaborate in real time.
Auto repair shops usually use a variety of different software solutions to keep things running.
Integrations within repair shop software are built-in “connections” to other tools you need to keep your business running, including:
Integrations help you easily access the tools you need to maintain a successful business. You can access all of your crucial business tools in one place; you don’t need to have a million tabs open. For example, you can check on a repair order and then leverage modern marketing tactics without shifting between multiple tools.
By using cloud-based software, real-time reports, workflow tools, and integrations, your team can work more efficiently, and you can make informed decisions about growing your business.
In Part 2 of this series, we’ll explore customer service features that you should look for when selecting repair shop software.
The automotive repair industry is constantly evolving, and shop owners need software that keeps pace. Tekmetric offers auto repair shops an all-in-one platform–built with firsthand shop insight–to manage workflow, customers, and profitability.
No single solution fits every business perfectly, and a variety of Tekmetric competitors offer alternative functionalities and approaches. This overview provides an honest look at Tekmetric through the lens of customer feedback and core product strengths. Whether actively comparing software options or simply exploring what’s available, this guide is designed to help you make confident, informed decisions.
Tekmetric is the all-in-one solution for modern auto repair shops. Tekmetric is designed to streamline operations, enhance profitability, and improve customer communication for automotive repair businesses.
An all-in-one solution, Tekmetric provides a centralized platform for managing various aspects of a repair shop's daily workflow. Its focus on real-time data and a user-friendly interface has made it a popular choice for modern automotive repair shops.
Most importantly, Tekmetric is the only auto repair shop software in the market that was created by a former shop owner – so every feature was designed with firsthand insight into what shops actually need.
Shopmonkey, AutoLeap, Mitchell 1, and other competitors offer robust features and may look similar on the surface. Researching the pros and cons of each software takes time, so we boiled it down for you and highlighted five reasons why Tekmetric is the leading shop software.
While Tekmetric is a prominent software in the industry, several Tekmetric competitors provide compelling alternatives. Let's compare Tekmetric in terms of features, integrations, customer support, pricing, and customer reviews.
Tekmetric offers a variety of features that cater to the diverse needs of auto repair shops. Some of its core functionalities include:
Integrations are crucial for any efficient shop management solution. Tekmetric excels here by offering the most integrations in the industry. Tekmetric integrates with 70+ tools like ALLDATA, Advance Auto Parts, and PartsTech to streamline your workflow.
When comparing auto repair shop management software, make sure you choose a software that supports your entire workflow and can grow with your business.
Customer support is a vital aspect of any software solution. Tekmetric prides itself with industry-leading uptime and customer support. Our US-based support team is ready to answer your call, email, or chat message.
Don’t believe us? Our G2 reviews speak for themselves.
Pricing structures for shop management systems can vary significantly. Some offer tiered pricing based on the number of users or repair orders, while others have flat monthly fees. Tekmetric's pricing offers a monthly subscription (no long-term contracts), unlimited users, with add-ons available for specific features.
Tekmetric starts at $179/mo, offering a competitive price and the ability to cancel at any time. We believe in earning your business every month.
Customer feedback, particularly from platforms like G2, provides insight into the real-world user experience. Some of the common themes in Tekmetric reviews include:
Choosing the right shop management software is a critical decision for any auto repair business. Tekmetric offers a powerful cloud-based solution with a strong set of features, excellent integrations, and highly-regarded customer support.
Shop owners should carefully evaluate their specific needs, budget, desired functionalities, and the importance of various integrations when considering a software solution. The goal is to find a solution that not only meets current demands but also scales with the future growth of the business, ensuring a smooth and efficient customer experience for years to come.
Maintaining an efficient workflow is crucial to the success of any auto repair shop. A breakdown in workflow can lead to delays, a frustrated team, and unsatisfied customers. One key area where workflow can break down is during the inspection and estimate process.
By investing in a more modern, cloud-based shop management system, you can establish a transparent, replicable digital vehicle inspection and repair estimate process, and streamline parts ordering so that service advisors can dispatch repair orders quickly to technicians.
Thought Leadership
June 1, 2023
Do you ever wish you could see into the future? As a business owner, being able to predict how much business you will get during a week, a month, or a year can help you make important decisions regarding marketing your services, taking on more work, hiring more employees, or even knowing when to expand your business.
Of course, there are always going to be unforeseen situations. No matter how much technology you have, there’s no surefire way to predict accidents, natural disasters, or other changes in life circumstances. Fortune telling aside, shop owners can use real-time reports to forecast the health of their business and get a sense of how much money their garage is expected to make before the end of a week, month, or year.
Here’s how you can leverage two of Tekmetric’s real-time reports in combination to forecast your shop’s performance and test the decisions you make as a shop owner.
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