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<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation: MLS 2026 Operations & Reference Guide > Client & Service Unit Management > Using Service History |
It is always wise to review the Service History for a Service Unit before writing an estimate or beginning a repair order.
Reviewing prior services allows the service writer and technician to quickly determine:
•what repairs have already been performed
•recurring issues
•previously recommended services
•warranty concerns
•maintenance patterns
•parts previously installed
•client preferences
•inspection history
You may also wish to review the Service Unit notes for concerns previously identified but not yet corrected.
This information improves:
•diagnostic accuracy
•customer communication
•estimate preparation
•maintenance planning
•additional service opportunities
and helps maintain continuity between visits.
To open Service History, select the:
👉 History
button from the screen you are currently using.
MLS 2026 automatically determines whether you want:
•the history for a specific Service Unit
or
•the complete history for an individual client
based on the screen from which the request originated.
For example:
•selecting History from Service Unit Data displays only that Service Unit
•selecting History from Client Data displays all Service Units associated with the client
The system displays the complete chronological service history for the selected client or Service Unit.
Workorders are listed:
•from most recent to oldest
•with summary totals shown first
The upper portion of the screen displays:
•workorder summaries
•invoice totals
•service dates
•status information
The lower portion of the screen displays the complete detail for the currently highlighted workorder.
This detail may include:
•labor performed
•parts installed
•recommendations
•notes
•technician information
•inspection items
•charges
•maintenance activity
Both sections may be browsed independently.
This layout allows management and technicians to quickly compare multiple service visits while still reviewing full detail.
Additional detail may be viewed for individual items.
To view expanded information:
1.Point to the desired labor item or part
2.Double-click the left mouse button
MLS 2026 will display a popup window containing the original detailed information entered on that item during workorder processing.
This is especially useful for:
•reviewing prior technician notes
•checking diagnostic detail
•verifying repairs
•reviewing recommendations
•clarifying previous concerns
The Preventive Maintenance Scheduler may also be viewed directly from the Service History screen.
Select the:
👉 P/M Scheduler
button to open the scheduler in a popup window while leaving the Service History display active.
This allows staff to compare:
•completed services
•upcoming maintenance
•recurring recommendations
•mileage or usage intervals
without leaving the history system.
Any invoice displayed within Service History may be reprinted.
To reprint an invoice:
1.Highlight the desired invoice
2.Select the:
👉 Invoice
button
The workorder may then be:
•previewed on screen
•printed directly
•emailed to the client
when supported by system configuration.
This is extremely useful when clients request:
•duplicate invoices
•warranty verification
•prior repair documentation
•maintenance history
MLS 2026 allows the complete Service History, or selected portions of it, to be printed.
To print:
1.Select the:
button
2.Enable the:
👉 View
option first
This allows you to review the report exactly as it will print.
From the preview screen:
•the printer icon may be selected to print the complete report
•page numbers may be reviewed before printing selected pages
If only specific pages are desired:
1.Close the preview
2.Select Print again
3.Choose the Alternate Printer option
The standard Windows printer dialog will then appear.
You may specify:
•individual pages
or
•page ranges
Examples:
•7,9,11
•2-4
Only the selected pages will then be printed.
The Service History system is one of the most valuable operational tools in MLS 2026.
It provides:
•long-term repair tracking
•diagnostic reference
•maintenance forecasting
•warranty verification
•customer relationship continuity
•historical accountability
while greatly improving:
•service writer efficiency
•technician productivity
•customer confidence
•repeat business opportunities
A complete, organized service history is often one of the strongest indicators of a professional service operation.
•Always review history before writing major estimates
•Check prior recommendations during each visit
•Review recurring repairs carefully
•Use notes consistently for future reference
•Verify warranty repairs through history review
•Reprint invoices rather than manually recreating information
•Use the P/M Scheduler alongside service history
•Keep service records complete and detailed
•Avoid deleting historical records
•Encourage technicians to write clear repair descriptions
This section works closely with:
•Workorders
•Client Data
•Service Unit Data
•Preventive Maintenance Scheduling
•Recommendations
•Labor Glossaries
•Inventory
•CRM Systems
•Reporting
•Accounting History
Together, these sections provide a complete operational and historical service record throughout MLS 2026.