As the global automotive industry transitions into the future of mobility, garage chains must undergo a massive transformation. As a result of digitization, customer expectations have increased, and they now demand a seamless experience even in the automotive aftersales ecosystem.
Garage management systems allow garage chains to make better use of their facilities, with the ultimate aim of providing a delightful customer experience. It streamlines almost everything, from extensive searches to appointment scheduling, parts ordering, and even report generation.
A good garage management system will be the key to the entire operation, given the need for digitization and eventual digital transformation.
What Is An Automotive Garage Management System?
Fully integrated Garage Management System (GMS) is a mobile and responsive cloud-based web application for garage management that includes CMS. A content management system (CMS) is a software program that allows multiple contributors to develop, edit programs and publish web content. In most cases, content in a CMS is stored in a database and presented in a presentation layer based on a collection of templates. This system allows you to control your entire garage system as well as your website.
Auto repair software streamlines key procedures and reduces technician workloads. It includes modules for managing tasks like vehicle inspection, repair cost estimates, arranging their employees’ timings and mechanic allotment, billing, monitoring vehicle maintenance background, and much more.
How An Automotive Workshop Software Works?
The automobile workshop management software module facilitates the management of auto spare parts inventory, purchases, orders, vehicle servicing information, job card, customer claim records, insurance, workshop vehicle equipment, mechanic leaves, and attendance. Garage management software is another name for workshop software.
It enables you to streamline your auto mechanic repair shop from any location and at any time. Take care of your workshop with easy, online workshop management software that can be set up in minutes.
Thanks to the easy-to-access Vehicle History, you’ll be able to see what you’ve done previously on a car, as well as when and how much you paid, in no time.
Automated Service Reminders, will boost your leads, conversions, and income by using automated service reminders to bring customers back through your doors. It’s the equivalent of having a full-time marketing assistant available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Benefits Of Efficient Workshop Management Software
Maintenance Of Records
The garage management programme helps in the maintenance of customer records. Hundreds of customers can visit the workshop, making it difficult to keep track of all customer records. In this respect, the program assists by maintaining a database of customer vehicle information.
Since the documents are kept effectively, when a client returns to the workshop, the owner has all of the information relating to the previous repairs, which increases customer satisfaction.
Management Software Saves Time
Since everything is automated, it reduces the time required for various routine shop operations. Estimating, diagnosing, fixing cars, and ordering parts are only a few of the basic yet time-consuming tasks that software can do. You don’t have to waste time on items that aren’t necessary; instead, concentrate solely on delivering the best service possible to the customer.
Everything Is Automated
The inventory audit, car development, the garage’s track record, as well as accounting and finances, can all be handled by auto repair shop management software at the same time. This is the perfect scenario for ensuring that everything is done correctly. Without human interference, the machine can handle the entire auto store.
Better Communication
When you use software to control your auto shop, you can quickly and efficiently exchange details within your organization labor program information and communication is on a single platform, each employee will see their tasks for the day, week, or month and will be able to manage and complete them with confidence.
Statistics And Market Size Of Automotive Business
Automobile sales worldwide are expected to fall to just under 70 million units in 2021, down from a high of nearly 80 million units in 2017.
Many factories in China were closed due to the pandemic, and no new vehicles were rolling off the assembly lines in Wuhan. Work stoppages caused by diseases continue to have an effect on the sector on a global scale, even though factories have reopened in many markets. Recently, the coronavirus pandemic has caused a shortage of and chips in many sectors, including automotive behavior.
Auto repair shops that want to survive and thrive in 2021 and beyond must start planning their shops and their employees for a future that will be drastically different due to new and disruptive trends. They would necessitate the procurement of more sophisticated technical materials, equipment, and computers. Many auto repair technicians will need to be retrained to meet the changing needs of the auto repair industry in 2021 and beyond.
Auto Repair Industry Statistics and Forecasts for 2021:
- The car repair industry will be in decent shape in 2021, according to the most recent automotive trends.
- According to estimates, there will be 76 million vehicles aged 16 and up in the United States in 2021.
- The number of vehicles that are 5 years old or less is projected to increase by nearly 25%.
- By 2021, 18% of American households are projected to use an auto repair service at least once a year.
Key Features Of Garage Management System
Usability And Availability
When it comes to machine operation, the majority of GMS end users are unskilled or semi-skilled. Half of the fight is won if GMS’s UI/UX assists users in quickly navigating through the entire app without the need for external assistance. A good GMS should be available on all forms of devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and so on.
Accounting
The accounting module allows you to manage day-to-day expenses, profits, spare purchases, ledger, and view bank and cash transactions in real-time.
Billing And Invoice
Accurately manage customer billing, insurance billing, and part invoices for customers and insurance. The detailed invoice would include tax, spare parts costs, labor charges, and remarks.
Customer Database
The customer database allows you to build and store data for your customers. It allows you to save and search for information such as your name, location, phone number, and email address. In addition, the customer database stores full job records, which are automatically updated as work is done. Postcode lookups make it easier to enter addresses quickly.
Inventory Control
Manage the Automobile Spares list and gain a comprehensive view of total revenue, including prices, stock value, and frequent garage transfers.
Labor Rates
The labor costs, or the price per hour paid to a customer for services provided, are now at their lowest point, delivering the best services at the lowest possible cost.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Customer relationships are the lifeblood of every company, and a good GMS not only manages but also nurtures them.
A successful GMS also provides a client-specific mobile app that allows the garage owner to stay in touch with them.
Feedback Mechanism
Feedback is a powerful tool for improving a process or system
A successful GMS allows for the gathering of customer reviews and allows the garage owner to make necessary corrections.
Track The Reports
You can monitor delivered vehicles, employee performance, business growth, compare branch sales, and much more with powerful, user-friendly reporting.
Service History
You can attach new vehicles to your Car Services and assign the Service to a Technician in minutes. In addition, you will see a list of the Services completed in your Garage.
Set Services Reminders
You will boost your leads, conversions, and income by using automated service reminders to bring customers back through your doors. It’s the equivalent of having a full-time marketing assistant available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Work Order Management
Through an easy-to-use dashboard, you can manage your entire workflow from start to finish in one location. Job progress, inventory management, quotes, personnel allocation, invoicing, and other activities can all be monitored.
24/7 Support
Automate provides round-the-clock customer support via phone, email, and chat to resolve customer concerns.
Complete List Of Workshop Management Software
[table “1” could not be loaded /]How To Develop Garage Management Software?
To achieve the best results when developing software, we must follow the steps outlined below:
- Make a plan
Create user stories and problems, schedule sprints, and assign tasks to the software team. - Keep track
Prioritize and analyse the team’s work in full detail and visibility. - Release
Ship with trust and sanity, trusting that your knowledge is still up to date. - Compile a report
Enhance team success with real-time, visual data that your team can use.|
There are mainly 2 methods to develop your garage management software
1. Cloud Hosted Web-Based System
Cloud hosting enables the use of cloud services to access apps and websites. Unlike traditional hosting, solutions are not hosted on a single server. The application or website is instead hosted by a network of connected virtual and physical cloud servers, allowing for greater flexibility and scalability.
The following are key features:
- Instead of a single server on-premises, software and solutions are deployed on a cloud network.
- The resources are scaled to suit the customer’s needs.
- Businesses just pay for the facilities they use.
- APIs, web servers and mobile apps are used to automate and track solutions. SQL (including MySQL) and NoSQL databases can be hosted in the cloud.
As a result, you’ll be able to contact the garage owner directly and collaborate with them to set up your management programme. Since the garage is already operational, it would soon attract more customers.
2. Application For All Devices
You may also develop a mobile application to assist your customers in staying up to date on the changes. The steps for developing an application are as follows:
Step 1: Think of an idea. If you already have an idea, skip to the next step. Continue reading if you haven’t already. Do you want to make an app but aren’t sure what to make? Problems are what you need, and there are plenty of them! We could never have predicted how successful entrepreneurs approach problems.
Step 2: Determine the requirement. Validation will demonstrate that there is a market for your app. You can test your hypothesis by using the Google Keyword Planner tool to see how many people are looking for what you’re trying to do. You may also create a landing page that illustrates your app concept in general and ask for user interest with email signup.
Step 3: Create a plan for the project’s flow and functionality. Your app idea has been verified, which means that people continue to use it.
When putting your thoughts on paper, try to be as descriptive as possible. This includes the user’s journey through the app as well as all expected functionality. This will help your developer fully understand your specifications.
Step 4: Put design first. Many entrepreneurs have stated that they want a very simple design and to concentrate solely on creating an app. They are completely incorrect! Design is more than just how the app looks; it is also about how a user can interact with the app.
Step 5: Make a developer account. To sell your app via the respective app stores, you must first create a developer account with them. You may register as an entity or, if you already have a business, as a corporation.
Step 6: Analytics should be integrated. Analytics enables you to monitor your mobile app’s downloads, user interaction, and retention. Using apps such as Flurry, which is free, and Localytics, which has both a free and paid version.
Step 7: Get reviews quickly and make changes. If your app is live on the app store, the first collection of user usage and behavior can provide you with information on how to refine and enhance your app. Since improvements and adjustments are ongoing, keep an eye on customer reviews and keep building.
Technology Stack To Develop Automotive Workshop Mobile App
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iOS Mobile App
Objective-C, Swift, iOS SDK
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Android Mobile App
Java for Android, Android SDK, Kotlin
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Back-end and Web App
C#, ASP.NET, PHP, Laravel, WordPress, AngularJS, Node.JS, etc.
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Database solutions
MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, MongoDB
Cost For Developing Garage Mobile App For Your Workshop
The cost of developing a garage mobile app for your workshop can vary depending on various factors, such as the features you want to include, the complexity of the app, and the experience and location of the app development company.
Developing a basic garage mobile app can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000. However, if you want to include advanced features such as real-time updates, integration with other software, and AI-powered solutions, the cost can go up to $50,000 or more.
It’s important to remember that the cost of developing a garage mobile app is just one aspect of the overall investment. You must also consider ongoing maintenance, updates, and marketing costs to ensure the app’s success.
Why choose us For Developing Garage Mobile App?
Developing a mobile app for your garage is an important investment, and choosing a team with experience and expertise in app development is essential. Our company has a team of experienced developers who specialize in developing mobile apps for various industries, including automotive. With a proven track record of delivering high-quality apps on time and within budget, we are confident in creating a custom solution tailored to your needs.
We understand that every garage has unique requirements, so we work closely with you to understand your business goals and develop a mobile app that meets your requirements. Our team focuses on designing user-friendly interfaces that are easy to navigate and use. We ensure that the app is intuitive and straightforward, making it easy for your customers to book appointments, get updates on their vehicles, and more.
In addition to our design expertise, we have the technical expertise to develop mobile apps that integrate with various systems, including ERP and CRM software. We ensure your mobile app integrates seamlessly with your existing business systems to improve efficiency and productivity. Our team provides ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that your app continues to function smoothly. We are always available to address any issues and make updates as needed.
If you want to develop a mobile app for your garage, contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you develop a mobile app that meets your business needs and exceeds your expectations. We are committed to providing you with the best possible service and support throughout the app development.
