The Workorder Development Screen is the operational center for all work performed on a specific vehicle visit.

This is where:

•Client information is reviewed

•Vehicle information is attached

•Parts and labor are entered

•Recommendations are created

•Payments are posted

•Technician activity is tracked

•Service history is reviewed

•Final invoices are produced

The screen is organized using:

•Control buttons across the top

•Information tabs below

•Popup utility windows

•Integrated service links

The layout allows service writers and managers to move quickly between all aspects of the repair process without leaving the active workorder.

(Images of the screen layout and control buttons will be inserted in the final formatted manual.)

Top Control Buttons

Across the top of the Workorder Development Screen are buttons that provide access to related tools and utilities for the active workorder.

Needs

Displays the Needs screen.

This area contains:

•Previously recommended services

•Deferred maintenance items

•Services not yet completed

•Recommendations from earlier visits

This allows the service writer to review outstanding vehicle needs with the client.

P/M

Displays the Preventative Maintenance Scheduler for the selected vehicle.

This utility helps track:

•Scheduled maintenance

•Mileage-based services

•Time-based service intervals

•Upcoming recommended work

History

Displays the complete MLS 2026 service history for the vehicle.

This includes:

•Prior workorders

•Previous repairs

•Labor history

•Parts installed

•Service dates

•Mileage history

•Recommendations

Carfax

Displays vehicle service history information obtained through the integrated CARFAX system.

This may include:

•Services performed at other repair facilities

•Historical maintenance records

•Mileage reporting

•External service activity

Availability depends on CARFAX reporting participation.

Deposit

Allows deposits to be entered against the current workorder.

Deposits may include:

•Special order parts deposits

•Pre-authorizations

•Partial payments

•Scheduled service deposits

Deposit activity is reflected in workorder totals and accounting.

Revise

Provides access to the Revision screen.

Best business practice is:

1.Create an Estimate

2.Obtain client approval/signature

3.Convert the Estimate into an Invoice

If additional work is later required:

•The revision system records the change

•Additional approvals may be documented

•Estimate changes remain traceable

This creates a strong audit trail and helps prevent misunderstandings.

Print

Prints the active workorder.

Options include:

•Print Preview (View Mode)

•Direct printing

•Emailing the document

•PDF output

Documents that may be printed include:

•Estimates

•Worksheets

•Invoices

•Counter Sales

Preview mode allows review before printing or emailing.

Lost

Allows entry of Lost Sales information.

This tracks:

•Parts not in stock

•Missed sales opportunities

•Inventory demand trends

These reports can improve stocking decisions and purchasing analysis.

Notes

Provides access to the MLS System Notebook.

This utility may be used for:

•Internal notes

•Technical references

•Shop procedures

•Temporary reminders

•Service information

Appts

Opens the Appointment Scheduler while remaining inside the active workorder.

This allows:

•Scheduling return visits

•Booking follow-up services

•Managing shop workload

•Coordinating future repairs

Phone

Provides access to the MLS Phone Directory.

This utility allows quick lookup of:

•Clients

•Vendors

•Suppliers

•Employees

•Service contacts

MMC

Opens the MasterLink Message Center.

This internal messaging system allows:

•Staff communication

•Internal reminders

•Work coordination

•Technician messaging

Help

Opens the full MLS 2026 Help system.

For context-sensitive help related directly to the current screen:

•Press the F2 key

This automatically opens the help page related to the active screen.

Exit

Exits the current workorder and returns to the Workorder Manager.

Always be certain to Save important changes before exiting.

Workorder Tabs

Below the top control buttons are the primary processing tabs for the workorder.

Each tab controls a major operational area of the service process.

General Tab

The General tab contains:

•Client information

•Vehicle information

•Workorder header information

•Mileage

•Dates

•Service writer information

•Status fields

•Vehicle notes

•Workorder notes

This is typically the first screen used when creating a new workorder.

See:

•Client Data

•Header Information

for detailed explanations of the fields.

Parts Tab

The Parts tab is used to:

•Add inventory parts

•Edit parts

•Remove parts

•Apply pricing

•Assign taxes

•Manage quantities

•Apply special pricing categories

See:

•Parts Entry

for detailed operational procedures.

Labor Tab

The Labor tab contains:

•Service descriptions

•Labor charges

•Technician assignments

•Labor rates

•Labor profitability

•Time tracking

This section is central to documenting all work performed.

See:

•Labor Sales

for full details.

Recommendations Tab

The Recommendations tab is used to record:

•Needed future repairs

•Maintenance suggestions

•Safety concerns

•Deferred services

Recommendations may later appear:

•On future workorders

•In service reminders

•In the Needs system

See:

•Recommendations

for complete details.

Totals Tab

The Totals tab displays:

•Workorder totals

•Taxes

•Labor totals

•Parts totals

•Sublet totals

•Deposits

•Payments

•Balance due

This area also allows:

•Recalculation of totals

•Credit review

•Payment posting

•Receivable posting

•Credit card processing

See:

•Workorder Totals

for detailed instructions.

Job Cost Tab

Displays profitability analysis for the workorder.

This includes:

•Sales totals

•Cost totals

•Gross profit

•Profit percentages

•Parts profitability

•Labor profitability

•Sublet profitability

This information is valuable for:

•Management analysis

•Pricing review

•Technician performance

•Operational efficiency

See:

•Job Costing

for additional detail.

Inspect Tab

Provides access to:

•Inspection systems

•Checklists

•Third-party inspection tools

•Customer follow-up systems

Inspection reporting helps:

•Improve customer confidence

•Increase maintenance sales

•Document vehicle condition

See:

•Inspection Checklist

for setup and usage details.

Services Tab

Displays controls for integrated third-party services and connected systems.

Depending on installed interfaces, this may include:

•CARFAX

•Merchant Services

•QuickBooks

•Text messaging

•AI connectivity

•Other supported services

Attachments Tab

Allows additional documents to be attached directly to the workorder.

Examples include:

•Photos

•PDFs

•Inspection reports

•Warranty documents

•Authorization forms

•Scanned paperwork

Attachments remain associated with the workorder history.

Alert Indicator

The Alert area monitors Estimate versus Invoice totals.

If the invoice exceeds the approved estimate:

•MLS 2026 will display a warning indicator

This helps:

•Prevent billing disputes

•Improve communication

•Maintain estimate compliance

•Encourage approval documentation

Monitoring estimate variance is considered an important business practice.