Why Service Advisors Need Auto Repair Manager Software to Stay Ahead
The job title on your business card may say “service advisor,” but what does that mean? Do you handle scheduling jobs? Are you the one who keeps in contact with the customers, giving them updates and bad news and asking for upsells? Do you handle repair approvals? If you are doing all that, you might also be handling things for the technicians. There are always problems you don’t expect. Incorrect parts might be ordered because the paperwork had the wrong year of the car, a specialty tool is needed, and you didn’t know about it ahead of time; the technician is behind schedule because the previous job took longer than expected, and the customer wants an update. You may even be a mediator between the client and the technician.
Lots of things can happen during your day
What would it take to help your day run smoothly? It all begins with organization and planning. You need auto repair manager software to organize and plan. It sounds so simple, but it is the answer.
We are here to tell you that, yes, it is the missing piece you are looking for. Auto repair management software is what you need to make your workday a breeze. No more outdated processes, missed parts, or costly errors in your estimates that cost you time and money.
The Daily Challenges Service Advisors Face
Each day, you have many moving pieces. Vehicles come into the shop; vehicles leave the shop. Vendors deliver parts. The phone is ringing. You have to check your emails. It’s all part of the business, and you handle it as best you can. What if there was a way to stop missing pieces of information?
Auto repair shop software minimizes missed approvals and delays by giving real-time notifications when customers approve repairs. Your workflow processes flow better. Information is consolidated so you don’t miss out on valuable business when you lose a handwritten note, miss calls, and have notes in multiple places. Your customers expect more than they did 10 years ago or even last year. They want real-time updates on their service. They get impatient if they are on hold too long. They want excellent service, and they want it fast. You can focus more on building trust with your customers.
How Auto Repair Manager Software Makes Your Job Easier
For the service advisor, handling the phones is par for the course. If you cannot answer as a customer calls, you make it a point to return that call at your earliest opportunity. But what if you can’t? If it is a new customer, they may try a different auto shop. An automated follow-up system will ensure your calls are getting an immediate response. Additionally, you can get this in seconds with the right software when you need approvals. This can help streamline the approval process so your mechanics can get to the repairs quickly.
Real-time updates make it easier to know how the repairs are progressing. Your technicians can input the progress, add any notes, and keep more accurate records than the old style of jotting down notes on scrap paper or keeping the details in your brain. Notes get lost, and your memory may fade on the details. Keeping the information tidy in an auto repair shop software program makes it easy to have all the information at your fingertips.
The real-time updates can be sent directly to the customer, keeping them informed without any extra effort. Your customers will appreciate your text or email informing them before they have to reach you to ask.
How It Impacts Your Workday
We all like to be efficient; when we aren’t, we see work piling up and may become stressed by everything we have to do. The right auto repair software can set the processes in motion to help you, the office, and the entire team of technicians to be focused and efficient. This leads to fewer customer complaints. You will see less frustration with your customers and build trust among them. This leads to increased revenue per repair, and you will see higher approval rates for the recommended work on their vehicles.
What to Look for in Auto Repair Shop Software
Some key features to look for include a mobile-friendly version since most people use their cell phones to find information on their computers. You’ll also want one that seamlessly integrates with any existing shop management system. Without this, you may spend some time manually fixing things, which can be frustrating. Thirdly, you want an easy-to-use interface. Complicated car repair software may be unused, and your time has been wasted. The software should be helpful, not a hindrance.
As a service advisor, you’re the glue that holds the shop together. Purchasing the right auto repair shop software will change how you operate - taking your existing manual workflow and streamlining it, improving communication between your customers and technicians, and improving your day-to-day experience. Efficiency is the goal for keeping customers happy, making repairs move along, and keeping your shop running at its best.
Want to see how the right software can simplify your job? Discover how bundling automotive technology products can revolutionize your business operations with our Tech Integrations for Repair Shop Success Guide.
