June 2021

JUNE 2021 AFTERMARKET 39 accounting software, it can mean exactly that, a world of transformation.” Leo continued: “For other workshops who have dipped their toe in the water when it comes to garage management software, it can mean embracing newer, smarter ways of working, like electronic job cards or electronic parts ordering. Then there’s the why. Post-pandemic, all businesses need to future-proof themselves and be operating in the most efficient way. Using a GMS can enable a workshop to gain control of time, the one and only commodity we have. This doesn’t just relate to ‘time spent on a job’ however, it can relate to every department within your organisation. “Time spent taking telephone bookings; How long does it take your service advisor to speak to 20-plus customers and book them into a diary a day? Can this be done digitally using an online booking tool that drops customer bookings directly into your GMS diary? “Time spent printing and stuffing envelopes for MOT reminders; What is the physical cost and time implication on a highly trained member of staff spending mornings doing mundane, admin heavy, tasks like this? Could this work be automated via sending a series of texts and emails to a customer at intervals before their due date? “Time spent getting authorisation from customers; How much time do you spend speaking to customers, allowing them to look at vehicles on ramps, explaining a defect underneath a vehicle to a non-mechanically minded individual? Could all of this be done by completing a digital vehicle health check and sending the images or video direct to the customers phone or email address, allowing them to see defects for themselves without the need for a Haynes manual to understand the issue? “Time spent speaking to suppliers ordering parts; This is probably the biggest time killer in any workshop that has not embraced a digital platform. How many times a day is that phoned picked up to order parts for the day’s work, get pricing for estimates, or even the parts for tomorrows jobs. Could using an integrated parts look-up system, that gives you part numbers, pricing, stock availability and places orders, buy back the biggest part of the day for your service advisors?” Transformation Leo concluded: “Taking the plunge to embrace a full digital transformation for your business is more important now than ever, because workshops that do will have more time; Time to spend with customers making sure their every need is catered for; Time to ask for that Google review knowing they given a five-star service; Time to make sure everything runs smoothly in the workshop, that staff are happy and have everything they need. Most importantly however, time to look at and embrace new technology like TechMan that can keep workshops from falling behind the times.” Valuable income Systems can help broadly with a business, or can be used to maximise specific revenue streams. According to Ashley Tankard, Autowork Sales Manager, Autowork Online can help businesses maximise their MOT profits: “MOTs are a valuable source of income for garages. Being able to streamline the bookings process and boost profitability is essential – and having Autowork Online garage management software in place can help you do just that. “Autowork Online offers a MOT booking module that can be integrated with your existing website to show customers available time slots. As it’s directly linked to your GMS, and the slots updated in real time, customers can enjoy a hassle-free experience when arranging their MOT. Digital bookings can minimise the likelihood of errors arising from manual entry and allow you to focus on running other areas of your business. Autowork Online also has an SMS reminder function that will alert your customers when their MOT is due. This can lead to repeat custom by encouraging customers to return to your business year after year, while increasing the likelihood of being able to accommodate a vehicle before its MOT certificate expires.” Autowork Online is a cloud-based solution and therefore accessible from anywhere with a suitable internet connection. Ashley observed: “Many users found it easier to continue trading when national lockdown was imposed in March 2020.” Hill Street Garage implemented Autowork Online shortly before the restrictions were brought into force. Garage Owner David Koscielny said: "During lockdown, I could sit at the computer and deal with any enquiry that came through as if I were in the office. I was able to give them a price on a service, tell them when their MOT was due, or look back on their history and advise them on what the issue could be." On accessing data, Ashley said: Retrieving a vehicle’s MOT history is easy with Autowork Online, as the GMS provides direct access to previous test records via a dedicated button, without leaving the main screen. This saves time and ensures accuracy - details are directly retrieved from the DVSA database dating as far back as 2006 for vehicles tested in England, Scotland or Wales. Information includes a full MOT history, current expiry date, any advisories that were issued and reasons for failures.” Deferred Ashley also explained how businesses can boost profits with deferred work: ”Autowork Online's deferred work feature automatically sends out SMS and email reminders for jobs that need to be completed in the near future. By using deferred work, you can ensure your business is at the forefront of your customers' minds when the time arrives. This presents you with an opportunity to maximise profits, while cutting down on the man hours needed to follow up with your customers.” Below: Autowork Online