| Feature | RO Writer | Mitchell Manager
Manager Plus | Alldata | NapaTracs |
| Program Basics |
| Runs multi-user |  | | | |
| Runs multi-location | |  | | |
- Permits enterprise view of multi-location networks | | | | |
- Is data live | | | | |
| Uses wireless technology | | | | |
| Remote access for specific users | | | | |
| Database hosting option is available | | | | |
| Automatic database backup | | | | |
| Internet-based user-group forum | | | | |
| Is it VISTA compliant? | | | | |
| Inventory |
| Tracks cores and core returns | | | | |
| Tracks new merchandise returns | | | | |
| Tracks defective merchandise returns | | | | |
| Tracks outside purchases | | | | |
| Can inventory be sold by markup, margin and list minus | | | | |
| Offers tiered pricing structure based on customer level - (discounting) | | | | |
| Can you set up parts pricing matrix to determine the sales price by vendor or part type? | | | | |
| Allows for more than four price matrices based on cost | | | | |
| Allows inventory price changes and stock items - information | | | | |
| User may enter outside purchases and stock items - information goes to inventory, A/P and gives profit margin alert | | | | |
| Allows electronic parts ordering | | | | |
| Program has a profit margin alert | | | | |
| Offers flexibility in finding, ordering and reporting inventory | | | | |
| Multiple fields to group inventory - Vendor, Manufacturer, Brand, Line | | | | |
| Quick tire size reference for quoting | | | | |
| System should be able to create POs based on min/max levels | | | | |
| NECESSARY REPORTS |
| Inventory ledger - with beginning inventory, purchases, adjustments, sales, ending inventory, including vendor invoice numbers and RO numbers | | | | |
| By sales department - day, week, month to date. Shows units, sales, cost of sales and gross profit (one report) by sales advisor | | | | |
| By inventory item - shows sales dollars, by the month for the entire year; same report shows units and gives 12-month totals | | | | |
| Physical inventory sheet - option to show or not (user's choice) current unit levels with the ability to print by group, description, location | | | | |
| LABOR FUNCTIONS |
| Includes a complete list of each type of labor shop does with pricing - where applicable; allows for ample description | | | | |
| When importing ALLDATA/ACTIVANT/MITCHELL labor, provides vehicle specific maintenance information with labor times | | | | |
| TRACK TECHNICIAN PRODUCTIVITY |
| Both parts and labor | | | | |
| Time clock in program for jobs worked with ability to track specific labor type's down time and down time reason | | | | |
| Allows for split jobs | | | | |
| Allows for autoflagging of labor activity | | | | |
| CUSTOMERS |
| Search for customers in the database and after selecting customer, choose customer's vehicle(s) from drop-down menu (or other similar capability) | | | | |
| Can new customer information be obtained by doing reverse lookup by phone or postal code search to integrated databases tp create a new customer record | | | | |
| Fields for home, work, mobile and fax numbers | | | | |
| Do you identify preferred method of contact (phone, e-mail, mail) | | | | |
| Field for e-mail adress | | | | |
| Can e-mail price quote and marketing information | | | | |
| Offers multiple price levels for type of customer | | | | |
| Easily view customer history, dollars spent, number of invoices, last visit | | | | |
| Assess late fees for past due balance | | | | |
| Run aged receivables report on past due balance | | | | |
| Does software integrate with any thrid party CRM firms for shops that don't want to do their own follow up? | | | | |
| VEHICLES |
| Can quickly enter all vehicle information. Includes drop-down boxes (or similar capability) with Year/Make/Model/Body/Engine-Fuel | | | | |
| Includes fields for - P/S, ABS, A/C, FI, Air Pump, FWD, tire size and any other information needed when calling for a part | | | | |
| Scans VIN number for electronic entry | | | | |
| VIN decoding | | | | |
| Includes memo field for vehicle | | | | |
| Complete vehicle history and flexibility | | | | |
| History kept as long as user wishes | | | | |
| Delete car and information when sold or transferred to new owner | | | | |
| Change license plate number if necessary | | | | |
| Summary version of invoice and complete invoice available | | | | |
| Avoid listing the same car for the same customer more than once | | | | |
| VOC tracking | | | | |
| Interface to color formula database | | | | |
| Tracks materials costs per job | | | | |
| POINT OF SALE |
| SCHEDULING |
| A printable, flexible schedule tracking the vehicle through all stages of repair from estimate, work order, invoicing and history | | | | |
| Schedule allows tracking of estimated job times for the daily hour total | | | | |
| INVOICING - what does it look like, and how flexible is it |
| User-formattable forms | | | | |
| Estimate | | | | |
| Tech work sheet | | | | |
| Work order/authorization form | | | | |
| Invoice | | | | |
| Find "work in progress" customer by name, invoice number or vehicle ID | | | | |
| Check customer histories and part availability from POS screen | | | | |
| Ability to add a customer from POS | | | | |
| Quick estimate for quoting tires with balancing, stems, taxes, disposal, etc. | | | | |
| Ability to bill for diagnostic charges | | | | |
| Connection to labor guide smooth and simple | | | | |
| Convert job into a "canned job" for future use on same type of vehicle | | | | |
| Canned text for ease of entering | | | | |
| Menu pricing option | | | | |
| Subtotal each job type on customer invoice | | | | |
| E-mail estimates | | | | |
| Fax estimates | | | | |
| Discounts, canned and able to set up for all types | | | | |
| Jobs that are not sold, easily converted to recommended and stay with that vehicle | | | | |
| Drop-down lists for parts and labor available at invoice line | | | | |
| Counter sale option | | | | |
| Cash drawer linked to computer system | | | | |
| Split payment availability | | | | |
| Spell check | | | | |
| Internal word processor | | | | |
| MANAGEMENT FEATURES |
| Margin by job | | | | |
| Ability to departmentalize sales - cost of sales and inventory | | | | |
| Flexibility - ability to create unique reports | | | | |
| Exports to accounting software | | | | |
| Has accounting software integrated | | | | |
| Monthly profit and loss statement | | | | |
| Payroll | | | | |
| CUSTOMER FOLLOW-UP |
| Information can be exported to a word processing program | | | | |
| Send reminders by e-mail/mail | | | | |
| Customer reminder preference - phone, e-mail, mail | | | | |
| Send promotional e-mail/mail | | | | |
| Reminder notices based on service performed and/or time and mileage | | | | |
| Notices based on type of car and product | | | | |
| New customer thank you note | | | | |
| Thank you note for referral of customer | | | | |
- Tracks how much revenue has come from customer referrals | | | | |
| Ability to send notice for service never performed on a car based on mileage and/or year of car | | | | |
- Choice - Postcard, Letter, Both * | Both | Both | Both | Both |
| Track initial source of customer visit | | | | |
| Track sales from current direct mail, coupons, Web site, etc. | | | | |
| Send e-mail/mail reminders for services previously recommended while in the shop but not sold | | | | |
- Choice - E-mail, Mail, Both * | Both | Both | Both | Both |
| Summary |
| Total Yes (Total Possible) | 104 (108) | 88 (108) | 94 (108) | 99 (108) |
| | | | | |
| Score | 96.3% | 81.5% | 87.0% | 91.7% |
