Shop Loading Program

[z28]

Does anyone use a system to load the shop to sell all available hours, and if so how is it working?

[xrrconsultant]

Take a look at Xtime Service CRM web based software. XTIME.COM We use it in 14 auto stores & 3 harley-davidson stores. They will be comming out with a fully intergrated rout sheet this month. Works great!

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[slapenta]

z28:

Does the service department currently employ Reynolds, ADP or UCS. Are you aware if you already have electronic shop loading and/or ERO, ESI or TEC application?

If so, the DMS electronic shop loading applications offer much more performance and flexibility to measure technician time control. A DMS automated electronic shop loading system enables service managers to manage service inventory labor hours with optimum efficiency, enabling them to make fact-based decisions before hiring any additional technicians and service advisors.

These service applications allow you to build a business case and show your dealer principal their return on investment each month.

If you are interested in discussing shop loading application comparisons or learning more about electronic shop loading/inventory control capabilities along with the financial benefits it can provide, just drop me an email and I will be happy to speak with you.

Before making any purchasing decisions, it is very important to carefully weight your options and make sure the application you choose will meet your needs.
However, if you do not use Reynolds, ADP or UCS then a third party software application would be a consideration.

The success of any shop loading software application, whether it be electronic or manual is dependent on the service managers ability to measure, coach and hold their employees accountable to the correct use of application.

Steve LaPenta

[john]

Be careful. I have seen lots of dealers sign up for very expensive service programs (+$500/mo) and then never use them because they are too complex and really do not meet the needs of the Service Manager in scheduling and loading the shop. Most programs available are not designed by service managers for real use, but are added on to enhance the value of the software at sale and to bring in more support$$.

The Scheduling and loading problem is very simple:
1 load the shop based on a total hrs. objective set by management. Generate a report that shows how effective the advisors or BDSM is meeting that objective.

2. Allow reservations and first come-first serve to run in tandem.

3. Assure that all techs are skill loaded properly so that work can be taken in during the day if the skill is available.

4. Be able to look forward and know how many hours are available to schedule by work type in order to effectively schedule work down the road.

5. Set objectives for work mix daily to assure an efficient technician work mix and high shop productivity for a full day.

Believe it or not - there is currently only one program availble that can do all of that in a very simple program for about $50 a month - I've seen this program around for 10 years and it is offered as a give away when service training is purchased - it can be gotten separately as well.

I am a fixed ops consultant for a major international consulting company and see over a 100 dealers annually so I know the fixed ops problems and the solutions pretty well.

I'd be willing to give out leads to Schedule Tech if anyone is interested in a simple, elegant, and inexpensive solution to shop scheduling and loading --- and it's Free !!!!

John Conner
pika68@aol.com
815-484-3619