Service Needs on Workorder

By maintaining a history of service recommendations, and keeping the ones which have not been completed on active status, a service center will increase its volume of business, and better serve its clients. For this discussion, the following steps would be appropriate in a shop that services automobiles, and uses The Auto Shop Writer.

Ask Questions First

The first step to evaluating the necessary services is to query the  client about any concerns or abnormalities with the vehicle's  performance.  Although the client may be only seeking a standard 24,000 mile periodic maintenance, there may be additional areas of  the vehicle that need attention.  Consequently, the time spent  asking questions may lead to additional services.

To support this  investigation, a test drive with the client present is highly  recommended.  Yes, it does take some extra time, and the client may  be in a hurry.  However, discovering a small $10 adjustment at this  time which saves the client a $400 repair will enhance the  opportunity for repeat business with this individual.

Review previous recommendations

The second step is to review the previous recommendations.  This is  accomplished using the {button Needs, } button of the Workorder Development  window.  Once this option is selected, the computer will display a list of previous services in the lower box of the screen.  As the operator browses, and highlight the previous recommendations, the system will then display the full text in the upper box.

You should discuss all of the previous recommended services with your client to be sure  they have been completed.

Notice the available buttons on  the screen. They allow  you how to mark completed recommendations ( Delete ), or to move a highlighted recommendation to the  labor section for current servicing.

Each of these items were suggestions you have  made in the past, based on your hands on experience with that vehicle.

These two options are appropriate when servicing anything for one of your clients, not just vehicles.