Appointment software

[Ron van de Kraats]

I'm looking for software to schedule and track appointments. Any ideas?

[slapenta]

Ron
Here are some options for you to choose from. Appointment Control functions are available for you in Reynolds, ADP and UCS DMS systems as well as Arkonia, ASI, EDS, etc. If applicable, I encourage you to use your current DMS because of your monthly maintenece fees. Having said that, there are outside vendors that will schedule your customer appointments according to technician skills and hours available on any given day. This process will also pre-build the repair order in most DMS systems and provide you with management reporting. If you need more information you are welcome to e-mail me at slapenta@bellsouth.net

Steve LaPenta

[robc]

First, Steve is an appointment system guru, so I wouldn't hesitate on taking him up on his offer.

Second, my friends over at instatcom has a web solution you might want to look at as well. http://www.instatcom.com/schedulepro.html

They always have good quality stuff.

------------------
** Rob, Editor Dealersedge/WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

[PARTICUS]

Is there anyone letting the Advisors make their own appointments and how is it working?

[john]

Take a look at Schedule Tech. It,s inexpensive and gives you control over the the multi - deminsonal problem reservations present. What day, what type of work, what hour, what tech. I have an example I would be glad to send you.

Most DMS reservation programs are not effective in giving you or your advisor user friendly information quickly. If a customer is on the phone, you need to be able to see the hours remaining to be scheduled by work type for a two or three day window - quickly. And when you decide which day to recommend for the reservation, you need to know what skill is on the floor (by tech)that day and how much of their time is already obligated - by technician.

For $100 per team, group, or shop, you can buy an annual subscription to an MS Excel spreadsheet reservation calendar and avoid the expense of buying software. It can be networked and more than one person can work in it at a time. As the manager, you can remote view the reservations being made as they are being made if need be. Objectives for cash internal and warranty time can be set and objectives for time scheduled per technician per day can also be set. It's the only reservation system I have seen that is inexpensive and that allows you to set drivers for work mix and total hours by skill level. when you can do that you start to have control over tech efficiency and shop production. It's very easy to use and simple to understand. Since most of us already have Excel, there is no need to learn how to use new software.

I let my advisors make their own reservations and I have scripted the process to control how that is done - too many problems are created when advisors are out of the loop on reservations - it's also the beginning of the service maintenance sales process and closing rates go up when the reservation is properly done. Let me know and I will be glad to give you the script I use - maybe you can use it too.

John
pika68@aol.com

[chjoak]

Ron - What DMS are you using?