Keys to modernize and digitize a workshop: what to invest in?

The needs of the customers of a mechanical workshop have evolved over the last few years and, with the arrival of new technologies, these needs are increasingly specific. Providing confidence, security and professionalism remain key factors; however, modernizing the business, regardless of its size, is inevitable in an environment as competitive as the current one.

Once we have assumed the premise of departure, the question is obvious: what should we invest in to improve? Let’s look at it in detail.

Why modernize a garage?

The type of customer has changed in the last two decades. Currently, there are two factors that continue to be relevant when choosing a workshop– trust and professionalism– but there are other reasons that can cause us to change workshops in our next maintenance service visit: detailed budgets in the moment, estimated time of repair with a very small margin of error or notifications via email or text message to know the status of the case.

This is where the value of having a workshop management software comes into play. A software that helps us in this era, not especially easy, but essential, of digital transformation

4 key points when planning the digitalization of your workshop

The new demands involve modernization, but where do we start? What do we have to do to improve and work even more efficiently? What items to invest in? Here are the four keys to modernize and have a state-of-the-art workshop.

Update your equipment

New vehicles arriving on the market include on-board computers, switchboards and much more technology. That means that new tools are needed when performing routine overhauls or repairing breakdowns.

This is more complicated if we are talking about multi-brand workshops, in which we must be able to detect errors and repair them with agility and efficiency.

Any modernisation plan must include a budget line in this area, as it is a core aspect of the business. Rely on a trusted manager to inform you of possible helplines to make this process easier on a financial level.

The best skilled team

The world is moving forward and so is this sector. If you want to be a leader, you must be up to date with everything that happens in the automotive sector. And we’re not just talking about understanding that electric cars are part of the future, but understanding the ins and outs of how electronics, engines, and improvements to new utility models and commercial vehicles work.

Employee training should not be a one-off thing, but a continued process. It will help you differentiate yourself from the competition, be more efficient and project an image of professionalism to the end customer.

Technology support

Opting for a modernization of your mechanical workshop has several advantages such as, for example, a more efficient management of the equipment, better monitoring of vehicle entrances and exits, control of expenses and costs, personalized customer service, among others. Having automotive software capable of digitizing your workshop will help you speed up the process.

In this sense, CAR offers a digital solution focused on providing a guided and coordinated service process, improving management, user experience and customer service.

On the other hand, just as it is important to have control of processes internally, we must know how to transmit that peace of mind to the customer. You should rely on software that includes new communication models with the end user. In this sense the CAR software includes:

• Customized configuration tailored to your business needs.
• Digital communication between the workshop and the customer throughout the process.
• Personalized attention in each service registered in the system.
• The customer has access to detailed diagnostics including graphic material such as photographs, audios and videos.
• Support to improve customer satisfaction.

Would you like to try out a DEMO now and check it out for yourself? Start now.

Supplier management

Beyond the technological elements, vehicles also require specific parts adapted to each model and brand. In this sense, to answer the question «how to modernize my workshop?» we will have to have a wide network of providers and, more importantly, we must be well coordinated with them. In addition to having updated information on our management software, it is important to track the status of each order. It is going to be better if we can have this information in real time, since we will be more efficient when organizing mechanics’ tasks and we will be able to keep the customer informed when we will deliver their car.

As you can see, digitalisation extends to everything that is part of the business. Ask for expert advice and rely on a partner to help you digitize the workshop, with all the guarantees and the best services.

You have more information about CAR at A complete, digital and transparent solution – Cloud Active Reception (CAR)