Work Processing Troubleshooting

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Work Processing Troubleshooting

Even in a well organized shop, questions and mistakes will occasionally occur during work processing.

MLS 2026 was designed to:

Protect the integrity of your records

Prevent common errors

Make corrections possible when needed

Most problems are caused by:

Skipped steps

Unsaved entries

Incorrect workflow order

Misunderstanding Estimate versus Invoice processing

This section provides solutions to the most common work processing concerns.


“My Part Did Not Save”

Possible Causes

The Add button was not pressed before entering the part

The Save button was not pressed afterward

The user moved to another record before saving

Solution

1.Press:

oAdd

2.Enter the part information

3.Press:

oSave

Remember:

Typing into fields without first creating a new record does not permanently store the information.


“Inventory Totals Are Wrong”

Most Common Cause

A user changed a part number instead of deleting the original part entry.

Correct Procedure

If a wrong part is entered:

1.Highlight the incorrect part

2.Press:

oDelete

3.Add the correct part as a new entry

NEVER:

Overwrite an existing part number

Doing so prevents MLS 2026 from:

Restocking inventory properly

Tracking sales correctly

Maintaining accurate reports


“The Estimate Did Not Convert Properly”

Most Common Cause

The user changed the workorder Type directly instead of using:

Convert

Correct Procedure

Always use:

Convert

from the General tab when changing:

Estimate → Invoice

The Convert utility properly:

Transfers parts

Removes inventory

Converts labor status

Maintains accounting integrity


“Some Estimate Items Were Missed During Conversion”

Solution

Simply run:

Convert

again.

MLS 2026 will only display:

Items not already converted

You may repeat the conversion process as many times as necessary.


“The Workorder Total Looks Wrong”

Possible Causes

Tax rate changes

Discounts applied

Unsaved entries

Manual changes to fees

Incorrect quantities

Solution

Go to:

Totals tab

Then press:

Re-sum

MLS 2026 will:

Recalculate all totals

Verify entries

Restore proper calculations


“The Tax Amount Is Incorrect”

Possible Causes

Wrong tax rate selected

Client marked tax exempt

Parts flagged non-taxable

Discount applied after tax calculation

Solution

1.Review:

oTax boxes on parts and labor

2.Verify:

oClient tax status

3.Check:

oWorkorder tax rates

4.Press:

oRe-sum

If discounts were applied manually:

Tax may require manual adjustment


“A Payment Was Posted Incorrectly”

Solution

Simply reopen:

Payment Posting

and enter the correct values.

MLS 2026 retains:

The latest saved payment values

Incorrect entries are replaced automatically.


“The Workorder Will Not Close”

Possible Causes

Payment posting incomplete

Workorder not marked complete

Open balances without A/R account

Missing required information

Solution Checklist

Verify:

Payments are posted

Close Today box is checked

Client has valid A/R account if balance remains

Totals are correct

Required data fields are completed


“The Customer Balance Did Not Go To Accounts Receivable”

Most Common Cause

The client does not yet have:

An A/R account

Solution

1.Create the client’s A/R account

2.Re-enter payment posting

3.Save again

MLS 2026 temporarily stores unresolved balances until the account is created.


“The Technician Time Is Wrong”

Possible Causes

Timer not stopped

Wrong labor item selected

Manual Actual time entry errors

Solution

Review:

Actual time field

Correct manually if needed.

Future prevention:

Always stop timers immediately when work ends


“A Workorder Was Started By Mistake”

Solution

Do NOT delete the workorder.

Instead:

Reassign it to another client or vehicle

OR

Use it for the next appropriate service

Deleting workorders creates:

Numbering gaps

Audit concerns

Apparent missing income records


“The Wrong Vehicle Is Attached”

Solution

Use:

Vehicle → Select/Edit Vehicle

Choose the correct vehicle and:

Exit

Confirm replacement

The workorder will then be reassigned correctly.


“The Printer Will Not Print”

Checklist

Verify:

Printer power is on

Printer is online

Paper is loaded

Windows recognizes the printer

Correct printer selected

If using:

Alternate Printer

verify the selected device is correct.


“The Email Will Not Send”

Verify

Email setup is completed

SMTP or MAPI settings are correct

Internet connection is active

Authentication information is correct

If using:

Gmail or Outlook OAuth

verify the account connection remains active.


“The Credit Card Will Not Process”

Verify

Internet connection is active

Merchant Services setup is complete

Correct provider selected

Merchant credentials entered properly

If problems continue:

Contact the Merchant Services provider first


“Carfax Information Is Missing”

Possible Causes

CRM OK box unchecked

Carfax not activated

VIN missing or invalid

Auto Updater not transmitting data

Solution

Verify:

Valid VIN entered

Carfax activated

Auto Updater functioning properly


“Recommendations Keep Appearing”

Explanation

Recommendations remain active until:

Completed

OR

Manually removed

Solution

Open:

Needs

Highlight the completed recommendation and:

Delete it

This marks it as resolved while preserving history.


“The Inspection Checklist Is Missing”

Most Common Cause

The checklist was never added to the workorder.

Solution

Open:

Inspection tab

Then press:

Add

The checklist will then be created for that workorder.


“The System Seems Slow”

Possible Causes

Network problems

Antivirus scanning data folders

Server sleep mode

Low disk space

Damaged indexes

Suggested Actions

Verify network speed

Disable sleep mode on server

Check free drive space

Rebuild indexes

Exclude MLS data folders from aggressive antivirus scanning


Important Operational Rule

When something appears incorrect:

STOP and investigate before continuing.

Most major accounting and inventory problems are caused by:

Continuing after an error is noticed

MLS 2026 contains extensive protections, but careful workflow habits remain extremely important.


Best Practices To Avoid Problems

Save frequently

Never overwrite part numbers

Use Convert for Estimates

Verify totals before closing

Print and review invoices

Check Daily Receipts before Daily Closing

Track technician time accurately

Maintain backups daily

Train all operators consistently


Final Thoughts

Most work processing concerns are:

Easy to correct

Preventable

Caused by workflow shortcuts

MLS 2026 was designed around:

Accountability

Accuracy

Audit protection

Long-term record integrity

Careful work habits combined with proper use of the system will produce:

Accurate accounting

Better profitability

Improved customer confidence

Strong operational control