Shop Management Software Tips

For veteran tire dealers, a lot has changed over the years when it comes to how their tire shop is run. Back in the day, shop managers used nothing but a clipboard and tons of pieces of paper and files to keep track of repair orders. Service technicians or advisors had to manage everything by hand, from orders to customer vehicle care.

Thankfully, technology has made the shop management process a lot easier. In this Tire Review Continental Tire Garage Studio video, we tell you how shop software can help manage your workflow.

We all have smartphones that allow us to access a ton of information very quickly. As a result, customers have come to expect more from businesses, especially automotive shops and tire dealers. To meet these expectations, one of the best things you can do is use shop management software that fits your needs. There are many different software solutions available, and most can be customized to fit your specific situation.

To get started, it’s important to identify what you need help with. Shop management is more than just bookkeeping – it involves things like repair instructions, parts lookup and ordering and keeping track of the customer’s vehicle history as well as the number of services sold and missed opportunities.

Think of shop management programs like a toolbox. It’s important to get one that can hold more than just what you currently need and can grow and expand as your business does. By using the right software, you can provide a higher level of professionalism and service to your customers to stay competitive in the marketplace.

To make the process easier, some software companies offer a complete package – integrating shop management software, website and marketing tools for tire dealers to use when they purchase the software.

These automotive technology companies are moving towards complete integration with your shop’s equipment. For example, if you have a tool that has a tread depth scanner and measures inflation, your techs can quickly gather those data points and transmit that data back to the software via a Bluetooth connection.

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If you’re a shop looking to sell summer tires, it’s important to know that customers looking for these tires have very specific needs. Let’s talk about why, before recommending summer tires, you need to fully understand customer performance requirements.

Unlike all-season or all-terrain tires built for diverse driving conditions, UHP summer tires are designed with one priority: dry and wet traction for performance driving. Lateral and longitudinal grip in dry and wet conditions are also important, which is achieved through optimized contact patches, high silica tread compounds and circumferential grooves to channel water. Generally, UHP summer tire tread design features large blocks and fewer grooves for more road contact on dry surfaces. The grooves are designed to channel water away from the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning on wet roads.