We talk a lot on our blog about how using a garage management system can help you on the ‘front line.’ We’ve had titles such as:
• The Key Benefits of Using a Garage Management System
• The Power Of a Simple Customer Self-Check-In App
• How to Choose the Right Garage Management System
These have been popular features, but what about when you’re away from the battlefield and managing the hidden, critical elements that go into making your garage a successful business?
In this article we’re going to look at the more behind-the-scenes business opportunities that a GMS can help you with thanks to its level of insight. Find out here about the level of value a GMS will provide you with below the surface.
Efficient Appointment Scheduling
Yes, allowing customers to book online is very much a front line impact on your business operation, but as with a lot of a GMS’ features, this saves you time. How are you going to utilise all your additional time effectively?
Will you use it to cut manpower costs? Or can you deploy the saved hours to even better effect that results in increased revenues or increased operational efficiencies in other areas?
Customer Database and History Tracking
Of course, being able to offer a friction-free and personal service means a lot to the discerning customer, but there’s more to that than just creating happy customers from a business perspective.
A garage management system enables you to create and maintain a comprehensive database of customer information, including vehicle history and service preferences. Use this to offer tailored recommendations, anticipate future needs, and drive new and repeat custom.
Streamlined Invoicing and Payments
It’s easy to use up a lot of your time managing the financials, both in terms of customers and suppliers. This being an essential job, historically garage owners haven’t had much choice but to divert a lot of attention to these tasks, otherwise the business wouldn’t function.
Thanks to the capability of garage management systems, this can now be a thing of the past. With a GMS you can generate invoices accurately, quickly and provide online payment options. This makes everything easier for customers, helping them pay promptly, which subsequently reduces billing errors and the need to chase debts. Your record keeping is taken care of too!
This won’t replace the need for accounting systems, instead it makes the entire financial aspect of the operation much simpler. Did you know that most garage management systems can integrate seamlessly with the major accounting software providers too, such as Xero, QuickBooks and Sage?
Data-Driven Decision Making
With a garage management system you can access new insight into your business. Analyse things like appointment frequency, peak service times, popular services, and more. You can use this information to make strategic decisions around resource management, pricing strategies, and marketing plans, whilst ensuring you’re more capable than ever of meeting customer demand.
Book a Simple GMS Demonstration
As you can see, the benefits of using a garage management system span the entire business operation.
Not to mention, they’re not difficult to implement or use. Even if you’re considering a garage management system for the first time.
We created Simple GMS to provide a simple, easy-to-implement solution to meet all a garage owner’s needs without the big price tag.
Book your free, no obligation demonstration now to find out how we do it and how Simple GMS could help you.