Auto repair shop software

Britwrench · 03-17-2007, 11:59 AM

Ok, I am getting tired of searching for a good,usable repair shop software system. I'm looking for a system that would run a small business, with the ability to track parts sales, labor times, accounts etc.

Most of the ones I've looked at based on what was the printed paper systems of the 60s and 70s. The newer systems are either not comprehensive enough or designed for multi-million dollar operations.... which we are not.

Costs of the ones I've seen run from $1200 to $9000 so anything around that will work.

Would also work with someone if they wanted to design a system as there are a couple of other small shops here and lots elsewhere that need a good and professional system to use.

And there is me thinking that in the age of technology, this stuff would be easy to find..........

SlowToady · 03-17-2007, 05:59 PM

What exactly are you looking for? Accounting software, or parts software? If accounting, a client of mine uses PeachTree Accounting from Sage software and likes it; good interface from what I've seen. If you need parts software, my friend's dad owns a body shop; I can ask him either tomorrow or Monday what he uses and report back to you.

On cost:

PeachTree Accounting 2007 is about ~$1200 for a 5 user license. If you need more than 5 users, PeachTree Quantum is $4000 for 10 users.

Getting a custom system written will cost lots of $$$ and have unique problems and solutions. Probably should stick with commercial software if you're s small shop.

VincentVega · 03-17-2007, 09:20 PM

Quick Books?

Britwrench · 03-18-2007, 08:42 PM

No, an accounting only software won't work. I'm looking for a program to run the whole business, including repair orders, customer data base, parts inventory, invoicing, parts tracking. So far haven't seen anything that really works. Quickbooks is not for car repair shops.

TimT · 03-18-2007, 08:44 PM

Alldata? meaning ShopTrak

Vonzipper · 03-18-2007, 09:28 PM

Look at Mitchel One, It's been working for me for years

MysticLlama · 03-19-2007, 11:17 AM

Have you looked into MS RMS?

There were a couple local shops I noticed using it for a while. It may not be 100% what you're looking for, but there are lots and lots of off the shelf mods for it to do this or that.

It does customers, inventory, shipping, ordering, invoicing, etc. It's all pretty easy to modify also.

I have a stack of CDs of 2.0, you can install it and it'll run for 30 days without a key. I can also give you a contact of my local guy I talk to, and the support team that's in Portland. They are a great vendor and one of the few companies I'd recommend.

Just drop me a PM or an e-mail and I can mail a disc up, or you can pop up to the Pub for beer night and pick one up.

At least worth playing with for a couple of days since it won't cost you anything but some time.