Introduction to 819
In 1992, after building and managing an independent auto repair shop, P.A.T. Inc., for fifteen years, I realized that the standard business model just doesn't fit auto repair.
Over those twenty years, I attended numerous seminars, tried different software programs, listened to the guys with the latest 'secret'. I finally realized that there is a difference between the Daily Management of a business and the Accounting Management of a business and that the standard time management of auto repair (Flat-rate or commision), isn't really time management at all. I also learned that the software packages available for auto shop management, are not only 'Old School', but are also simply book accounting, put on a computer.
Computers have been in our shop since 1982, but it wasn't until we designed and produced our own software that auto repair finally made sense. Our software's focus is on the daily if not houly needs of our shop, we wanted to answer the questions:
- "How much should I charge for this job?"
- "How long were you on that job?"
- "When did we send out that check?"
- "How much money is in checks that we haven't sent out?"
- "How does this month's income compare to last year?"
If you are nodding your head and smiling, you should really take a look at our software . The most important thing you can do for your shop, your self and your employees is be serious about how long your mechanics are working on a customer's vehicle. We have a job time recording component to our software and a hand held time computer.