MLS 2026 includes a series of graphical analysis tools designed to help management quickly visualize business performance trends.

While reports provide detailed numerical information, graphs make it much easier to identify:

•Sales patterns

•Seasonal trends

•Profitability changes

•Productivity concerns

•Revenue distribution

•Payment trends

The graphing system transforms raw accounting and workorder data into visual management information that can be reviewed quickly and effectively.

Accessing The Graphs

To display system graphs:

1.Open the:

oReports menu

2.Select:

oGraphs

You will then see a list of available graph types.

To display a graph:

•Point to the desired graph

•Click on the selection

You may select:

•One graph

•Multiple graphs

If multiple graphs are selected, MLS 2026 will display them sequentially.

Understanding Graph Data

Most graphs automatically:

•Calculate monthly totals

•Use the current calendar year

•Display all twelve months

This makes it easy to:

•Compare month-to-month performance

•Evaluate long-term trends

•Identify operational changes

Important Considerations

Business activity naturally fluctuates throughout the year.

Changes in sales or profitability may result from:

•Seasonal demand

•Weather conditions

•Holidays

•Economic changes

•Supply interruptions

•Staffing changes

For this reason, graphs should always be evaluated together with:

•Shop conditions

•Seasonal patterns

•Operational factors

A single slow month does not necessarily indicate poor performance.

Income Total Graph

The Income Total graph displays:

•Gross income

•Direct operating costs

for each month of the year.

The graph provides a quick visual comparison between:

•Revenue generated

•Direct service costs

These costs include:

•Parts

•Labor

•Sublet services

This graph is useful for evaluating:

•Gross profitability trends

•Sales growth

•Cost changes

Important:

This graph does NOT include all business operating expenses such as:

•Rent

•Utilities

•Insurance

•Taxes

•Administrative expenses

It reflects:

•Gross operational profitability only

Income Types Graph

This graph separates income into:

•Labor sales

•Parts sales

•Sublet sales

The graph displays:

•Dollar volume only

It does NOT represent:

•Profit margins

This graph is especially helpful when evaluating:

•Revenue source balance

•Dependence on parts versus labor

•Growth in specific service areas

Payment Types Graph

The Payment Types graph shows how customers paid for services each month.

Payments are categorized as:

•Cash and checks

•Credit cards

•Accounts receivable balances

This graph helps management monitor:

•Cash flow trends

•Credit card usage

•Accounts receivable exposure

•Customer payment behavior

Increasing receivables may indicate:

•Collection concerns

•Excessive account exposure

Employee Efficiency Graph

The Employees graph compares:

•Flat rate units charged

•Actual time spent

for completed workorders.

This graph is valuable for evaluating:

•Technician productivity

•Shop efficiency

•Labor utilization

If Actual Time is not consistently tracked, the graph will still display:

•Total flat rate units billed

However, efficiency comparisons become far more meaningful when:

•Actual labor timing is maintained accurately

Profit / Loss Graph

The Profit / Loss graph draws information directly from:

•The General Ledger

This graph reflects:

•Total business income

•Total business expenses

Unlike the Income Total graph, this chart represents:

•True business profitability

assuming the General Ledger is properly maintained.

This is one of the most important management graphs because it reflects:

•Actual operational success

•Long-term financial health

Payroll Graph

The Payroll graph displays:

•Total employee compensation by month

This includes:

•Wages

•Payroll compensation

It does NOT include:

•Employer taxes

•Benefits

•Insurance

•Payroll overhead

This graph helps management monitor:

•Staffing costs

•Labor trends

•Seasonal payroll changes

Modifying Graph Appearance

Once a graph is displayed, MLS 2026 provides tools to:

•Adjust appearance

•Modify display options

•Change viewing formats

•Print graphical output

These tools are discussed in the following chapter of the manual.

Using Graphs Effectively

Graphs are most useful when reviewed:

•Consistently

•Over time

•Alongside reports

Good management practice includes:

•Monthly review of trends

•Comparison against prior years

•Monitoring unusual fluctuations

•Identifying developing concerns early

The graphing system provides management with a fast, visual understanding of business performance that would otherwise require reviewing many pages of reports.

System Graphs