Workorders should NEVER be deleted from the MLS 2026 system.

Deleting workorders creates several serious problems:

•It breaks the continuity of invoice numbering

•It creates gaps in historical records

•It damages accounting integrity

•It raises concerns during audits

•It may imply hidden or unreported income

For these reasons, MLS 2026 is designed around maintaining a permanent workorder history.

Every workorder number should remain accounted for, even if:

•The work was declined

•The vehicle never arrived

•The estimate was never approved

•The workorder was started accidentally

A complete numbering sequence demonstrates:

•Accurate record keeping

•Professional management

•Transparent accounting practices

When Work Is Declined

Not every estimate will be approved by a client.

When a client decides not to proceed:

•Write the word:

oDeclined

directly on the printed estimate.

Whenever possible:

•Ask the client to sign the estimate acknowledging the decision.

This provides important protection because:

•The workorder number remains accounted for

•The estimate remains in history

•The records clearly show no work was performed

If your business is ever audited:

•The signed declined estimate demonstrates that the invoice number was legitimate

•No hidden income existed

•No service was omitted from reporting

This simple procedure can prevent major misunderstandings later.

Accidental Workorders

Sometimes a workorder may be started unintentionally.

Examples include:

•Beginning the wrong ticket

•Accidentally selecting Add

•Creating a cash sale unintentionally

•Selecting the wrong client or vehicle

In many cases:

•No labor

•No parts

•No estimate items

have yet been entered.

Rather than deleting the workorder, the preferred procedure is:

•Reassign the workorder to the correct vehicle or client

•Then continue using the existing number

Reassigning A Workorder

To reuse an accidentally created workorder:

1.Enter:

oVehicle Add/Edit mode

2.Locate:

oThe correct vehicle

3.Highlight the desired vehicle

4.Exit the selection screen

5.When prompted:

o“Do you want to use this vehicle on this workorder?”

select:

•Yes

The system will then:

•Attach the correct vehicle

•Attach the proper client

•Continue using the existing workorder number

This maintains:

•Proper invoice numbering

•Continuous history

•Accurate audit trails

Why Permanent Records Matter

Permanent workorder history protects:

•The shop

•The customer

•Accounting records

•Tax reporting

•Warranty tracking

•Service history integrity

Even incomplete or unused workorders establish:

•A complete operational history

•Consistent record keeping procedures

This is considered extremely important in professional business management systems.

Best Practices

•Never delete workorders

•Mark declined estimates clearly

•Obtain signatures on declined work when possible

•Reassign accidental workorders instead of removing them

•Preserve continuous invoice numbering

•Maintain complete historical records