The Hidden Costs of Disconnected Shop Systems—and How to Fix Them

Why Disconnected Systems Are Costly

You have a great auto shop. The location is perfect. Your staff is top-notch. Your customer base is long-standing and growing each month. So, where is the disconnect? Why are your profits mediocre? 

Multi-shop chains are successful for a reason. And they die for a reason. It’s not because of a lack of sales. It is more likely that inefficiencies and poor shop software are the culprit. 

You might not realize just how much your systems affect your entire staff. Auto shops using disconnected systems see up to a 20% drop in technician productivity. That is a large hit to your profits and significantly impacts the longevity of your shop.

Auto shop management software like BOLT ON’s has some great owner-focused benefits too.

• Increased revenue
• Fewer errors
• Happier techs
• Stronger customer retention

Inefficiency Drains Productivity (and Morale)

Do you have a system for checking customers in? A system for diagnosing? A system for ordering parts? A system for communication? A system for follow-ups after the job has been completed?

Can each of these questions be answered using the same system, or are they all different? 

Using a single, robust system to cover all your auto shop management needs will make your shop more efficient while keeping your office staff and technicians happy. Condensing all your shop’s needs into one auto shop management software package streamlines every step of the process, from the initial phone call to the final return of keys. 

Each time your technicians have to switch between systems, it adds more frustration. Notes may be jotted down on scrap paper for convenience, and bits of information get lost or missed. Some may resist because of the frustrations they experience when navigating through the various systems. Old school ways of pen and paper are gone, but so are multi-system processes. 

Inconsistency Leads to Poor Customer Experience

When you don’t have automotive repair shop software, a customer journey becomes disjointed. Some notes will be incomplete, some will be held in your memory. Some get missed altogether. Relying on outdated tactics gives a poor service history by today’s standards. Your customers want to know that their trust in you is not misplaced. They want assurance that you know what has already been done on their vehicle, that your staff are qualified, and that their business is important to you. 

How can you best serve your customers and give them the best customer journey? Work smarter, not harder. Show them your capabilities with easy scheduling, detailed communication, quick approval process, and real-time reporting all through your auto shop management software with ease.

Fixing the Stack—Start Phased, Scale Smart

You may be wondering how to implement these changes without causing more frustration for your less tech-savvy technicians and office staff. We recommend a step-by-step process beginning with an audit. 

• Take a good look at what systems you currently have in place. Are they serving you well?
• You’ll want to look at how you can unify the needs of your auto shop. What do you need to increase your productivity?
• Look at software that is user-friendly and easy to train your staff to use.
• Learn about all the features - you might discover some that you hadn’t already considered!
• Identify the needs that matter most to you, ensuring all your requirements are met with a single, comprehensive auto shop management software package designed for repair shop efficiency. 

Chances are, there are gaps between your systems and your needs. Not everyone will be using every feature, so be sure to consider what role-based access you will need to have for each department within your shop. Our team at BOLT ON understands your pain points and can help you identify your inefficiencies. 

Tools That Keep Customers Coming Back

There are some basics that show your customers why they need you as their auto shop. These are customer relationship management software, digital vehicle inspection software, digital payment software, and shop management systems. Every shop should have some method of using these resources. But wouldn’t it be great to have an all-in-one system to handle all of this?

A successful auto shop involves having the right tools, both in the toolbox and in the software. You cannot fix a vehicle without the proper mechanical tools in hand, and you cannot be efficient without the right management software. Start building your customer trust, gain more repeat visits, and reduce technician frustration today. Download our free 5-star review guide or book a demo to see  BOLT ON’s unified system in action.