System Graphs

The Auto Shop Writer has the following graphs included in the program.  By selecting Graphs on the Report Menu, you will see these options listed.  Simply point and click at each graph you want displayed.  The system will then calculate the data and display it automatically.  You can select multiple graphs at one time, and each will be displayed in sequence.

It is important to compare the monthly totals to determine earnings consistancy.  However, months where income is down may reflect factors beyond your control, ie. seasonal work, bad weather, or an extensive number of holidays.  Be sure to evaluate your business performance based on the charts, but also maintaining an awareness of the mitigating factors that offset income.

Graphs that are displayed in a monthly format automatically calculate the data for the current year.  Each monthly total is shown.

Income Total

The income total displays two sections of data, the total income, and the direct costs.  The totals are grouped for each month of the year.  This gives you a quick view of your gross profitability, but this does not include all of your costs of doing business.  It only represents the costs for parts, labor, and sublet services.

Income Types

This graph displays the monthly totals of income for labor, parts, and sublets.  It represents the dollar income, but not the profitability, for each of these revenue sources.

Payment Types

This graph displays the method of payment used each month for the income.  It is catagorized as cash ( including checks ), credit cards, and balances posted to receiveable accounts.

Employees

This is a chart of employee efficiency, and compares the flat rate unit charges for all workorders completed in each month versus the actual time.  If actual time is not posted to each workorder, then this information will not be as valuable.  However, it will still accurately display the total flat rate time charged per month.

Profit / Loss

The Profit or Loss figures are taken directoy from the General Ledger monthly totals.  The G/L repersents the total expenses for your business, and if maintained properly, this chart will represent the actual relationship between total income and expenses for the business.

Payroll

The payroll chart shows the total compensation paid to employees each month.  This graph does not, however, include costs for employer taxes and fringe benefits.

Once the graph is displayed, you can use the tools detailed in the next chapter to modify the appearance of the information.