A garage management system can help you streamline operations, optimise your time, and generally make life easier for you and your customers. Simply put, to manage your garage in the most efficient way you will benefit from using a garage management system that fits your needs.
Whether that’s an upgrade from your current solution or you’re looking for your first garage management system to move away from paper-based operations, it’s important to find one that’s right for you. Here we’re going to explore how you can identify and implement your garage management system of choice.
Why are you considering a new garage management system? What are your biggest pain points that you’re hoping your new system will remove? What features would you most benefit from and how complex do you need your system to be?
Consider how a garage management system could positively impact your workflow, customer management, day-to-day job management, appointment scheduling, billing and invoicing, inventory management and how it could replace any reporting tools you currently use. Once you fully understand your needs you can start narrowing down your options.
Consider how you could integrate any existing tools you need to keep, such as your accounting software, with your new garage management system. Also think about tools you may need to implement in the future and see if each garage management system you’re considering can integrate with them. It’s vital to ensure that your new system allows a smooth flow of information and that it doesn’t replace old problems with new ones.
When you scrutinise each garage management system you’re considering, pay attention to how user friendly it is. Is it easy to use and implement? How much training will you and your staff need? Remember, you’re doing this to make life easier and to create a more efficient garage so this is an important factor. Always ask for a demonstration before you buy.
If you’re looking to grow your business in the near future find out how adaptable each system you’re considering is. See if it could meet your future needs as well as your current requirements. Can it scale as you grow if you add new locations or increase your workload? Make sure that you’re investment in your new garage management system will remain viable.
Make sure your chosen system is secure and that it can protect all your data and your customers’ data. Look for compliance with industry standards such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) if you operate in regions where it applies. Determine the quality of the vendors’ support systems and processes too so that you can ensure help is available when you need it.
As with everything you buy for your business cost will be a decisive factor. That said, the right garage management system should give you a healthy return on investment. Look at potential ROI when making your decision rather than just comparing pricing. If two systems aren’t like for like consider which will be the most valuable to you over time.
Ultimately, you need to know the level of system that you want, what you want it to do, and you want to make sure you will see value. It should save you time, increase your productivity and help you win and retain custom.
If you’re looking for your first garage management system we could have just the solution for you.
Simple GMS is an all-in-one, entry level garage management system created to help you manage jobs, customers, vehicles, finances and more via one easy-to-use application. It’s simple as the name suggests, affordable and efficient.
You can:
We’ve designed Simple GMS to make managing every aspect of your operation much easier and to help you move away from paper diaries and processes.
Book your demonstration now and start the process of implementing a garage management system that will simplify your entire operation.