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Smog Check Software

3 Top Reasons to Stop Using Paper Smog Check Work Orders

I don’t know about you but our customers want to be able to get a work order done fast. Nothing slows a smog check down than writing. Nevertheless it is amazing how many smog shops continue to use them. This article takes a look at paper work orders and the true cost of using them.

1. We are Faster than paper

If you run a smog shop you know it’s all about smogging cars quickly. Before a vehicle can be worked on, you need to have a customer authorization. The faster you can create a work order the faster that vehicle is in the service bay. We believe that software shouldn’t dictate how you run your shop, so we offer a number of different ways to get the work order created quickly:

  • Scan the drivers license bar code and automatically entered the customer’s contact information
  • If you type the customers info, we auto-fill the address after just a few characters typed.
  • No DMV paperwork, no problem. Enter the plate number and we will decode VIN, year, make and model. When available, we will give you additional information such as the engine size and fuel type
  • We remember previous customer information and find their vehicles and contact information for you.

2. We are cheaper than paper

We price our software so that we are always cheaper than paper. The average multi-part paper work order costs 20 cents. If you have a smaller shop doing around 250 work orders, we lower our subscription to 39/mo. If you a bigger we have a flat rate of 49/mo. We are always less than paper and because we charge a flat rate, if your shop does 500 smogs on average we are less than 10 cents a work order.

3. Automatically market to your customers

If you get your customer’s email address, we will send out a biennial email reminder automatically and no cost. If you contact your customer before they start looking elsewhere, you are more likely to get them back in your bay at the same price. Don’t remind them, and they may be your competitors customer.

So, check out smog advantage. You get a 30 day free trial. Plus if you are just starting your shop, or currently using a competing system, we’ll give you 90 days free!

Why wait? Sign up for your free trial now https://demandadvantage.com/index.aspx

Categories
Smog Check Software

How a Tablet Work Order System Can Be Great For Your Shop

You know how to run your shop, but there might be ways that we can help you run your shop better, save you money and take a bit of the stress out of your day. Let’s run through the things a tablet can bring to your business.

Techs and Service Writers Can Approach Customers

A service writer with a tablet can approach customers and create a work order right there. This avoids creating a line which may turn off approaching customers. You can also reclaim some of your waiting area by reducing the size of your desk. Rather than waiting outside, people can wait in their cars and you can approach them where they are more comfortable. If you’re setup as a drive through the tech can walk the line.

What Tech Isn’t Comfortable with a Phone?

Let’s face it, many techs like paper because it’s what they have always done. But paper leaves you sifting through it at the end of each day to total your business numbers. So bringing something new into your shop might be easier for some techs if it works like a phone app, which Smog Advantage Tabletâ„¢ does.

Great But Can a Tablet Save Me Time?

Time is money. The faster a tech can create a work order the faster that car is out of the bay and the next one is in. The tablet interface saves time because while the customer fills out their customer information the tech can be doing something else. By just typing in the plate number, we’ll input the VIN, Year, Make, and Model. If available we’ll bring back engine size, aspiration, drive type, gross vehicle weight. All you need to do is put in the odometer value.

Save Your Physical Vehicle Inspection With the Work Order

The physical inspection part of a smog check is where 90% of BAR citations occur. With the tablet the physical inspection checklist is filled out and saved with the work order including any notes. The next time that car comes in, you can see the last checklist and make sure you don’t overlook anything you found out from its prior test.

Look Ma, No Printing

For the past few years, the BAR has allowed the electronic storage of work orders. We capture and digitize the customer signature. Ask the customer if they want to save a tree by letting you email the invoice and now you saved the cost and hassle of paper AND got your customer’s email. More on that later.

Finally You Know Who Your Customers Are

That pile of paper work orders harms your business because it hides your customer information. Numerous marketing studies show that if you contact your customer, you are more likely to get further business from them. By obtaining your customer’s email you can email them a reminder, automatically and at no charge as their next smog date approaches.

Keep the Pulse On Your Business From Anywhere

We have end of day reports that are concise and show you the information that you need to know. Because we are a cloud-based system, you can check on your shop from anywhere.

Why Not Check Out Smog Advantage for Yourself

It’s free for 30 days, sign up here register at demand advantage