On the cusp of a new millennium, technology and computers are developing and improving at phenomenal speeds. It is difficult for average consumers to keep up with these rapid changes and determine what is best for them. AutoInc.'s annual shop management system software guide is designed to inform readers of the programs that are available, helping you make important software selections. Both mechanical and collision charts are included, listing program features offered by various software companies. The guide is based on questionnaires completed by manufacturers of shop management systems. Use the guide as a starting point for selecting the system that best fits your needs.

Finding the Shop Management Software Product That's Right for You
The staff of AutoInc. routinely receives calls from shop owners or managers looking for information about shop management software. In fact, the July issue is annually the most requested past issue -specifically for the software guide. It provides an excellent starting point for selecting a quality management software system that does what the shop needs it to do. However, we do stress that this guide should merely serve as a "starting point" because to truly assess the value of a software product, it will be necessary for you to examine these products in further detail beyond the information provided here.

To obtain the information included in these charts, we send questionnaires to companies that we know manufacture or distribute management software products specifically for this industry. We ask them what features are included in their products via "yes" or "no" questions. AutoInc. does not evaluate or endorse any of the products listed in these charts. These companies also did not pay to be included in the chart. We have merely relayed to you information provided to us directly from the software companies themselves via the questionnaires we sent to them.

Company Directory
Company phone numbers and Web addresses are listed for your convenience. These phone numbers have been provided for our readers to facilitate the process of contacting these companies.

Because we have included the phone numbers and Web addresses on the ASA Web site, we are not able to track the number of leads we have provided the companies listed in this guide, some of which are current advertisers or prospective advertisers. Therefore, you would be doing AutoInc. a service if, when you contact these companies, you mention that you saw their product listed in AutoInc. magazine. Thank you for your support. (Company Directory)

Find out before you buy . . .
While the software charts provide a general overview of features, each program is different, and it is important to talk to a representative from the company to ensure the program performs the tasks you need. Explain to each software manufacturer you contact specifically what your needs are, and make sure they guarantee their product. Here are some important things to consider when speaking with the manufacturers.

Company history. A company's background is important to the consumer. Ask how long they've been in business, and how long have they offered products to the automotive industry. It's not uncommon for software companies to design products for an industry that they might not completely understand. Is the products specific to automotive service shops? Some software products might have been designed for other industries, and then later modified for shops.

Is it easy to use? Before you purchase a software product you should test the functionality of the program. Ask for a demonstration disk if available. If not, a live demonstration should suffice. But either way, make sure you are testing the product so that it will meet your needs.

Support. Another key factor in your decision should be the availability of technical support. Do they have a toll-free number for you to call when you have problems with your software, and is someone actually there to fix the problem when you call?

Upgrades. Does this product have periodic upgrades? Businesses evolve and new needs arise from time to time. Will you be satisfied with a software program that will remain stagnant? If upgrades are available, how often are they provided and how much will they cost?

Printing. What printing capabilities does the program have? This component is crucial for invoicing and other accounting features.

Networking. Can the program be networked between multiple computers within the shop? It might not be a need for you now, but could it be one down the road?

Pricing. When asking about price, ask if all features are included in the price. Some companies will charge for additional features.

Hardware requirements. Be sure that the software will properly run with your computer and memory capacity.

Using This Guide
Both the collision chart and the mechanical chart are set up in the same format. At the top of the page is a row listing each software company with the name of their products in italics. (If you can't read the company name, refer to the Company Directory page) The left column lists features that might be included in a typical automotive management software product. Check marks indicate which products contain those features. You simply need to find the products that contain the features you are interested in having for your shop, then use the directory of phone numbers at the end of this section to find out more information about the products.

You'll notice a listing at the bottom of the charts that includes the names of companies that have databases that are compatible with some of the software companies' products. Each database company has a letter of the alphabet to correspond with it, and the software chart includes a feature that details which software companies are authorized to market another company's database with their software, and the letters indicate which database(s) they are authorized to market.

Another timely software issue is Y2K compatibility. Each of the software programs listed on our charts is fully compliant for the year 2000 and beyond.

Take a Hard Look at Hardware
Many of the software products listed in this guide operate on standard PC-compatible computers that use products such as Microsoft Windows. Therefore, when evaluating what software you are going to buy, make sure you either have the adequate hardware needed to run the software or are able to afford the hardware needed. The software companies will be able to tell you what specifically you need.

Keep in mind that hardware prices can vary greatly among vendors, so shop around for the best deals.

Click on the links below to go to the pages of the software guide chart. If you would like to receive a copy of the July 1999 issue of AutoInc., which includes the software guide, please send $5 (U.S. address), or $10 (outside U.S.) along with your address to ASA.

The software charts are available in PDF files for your convenience. Please download the file by clicking on the appropriate links below. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file.

To download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free, visit the Adobe Web site at: http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html#reader.

To view each page, click on the first link, and the graphic will open up in a new browser window.

Note: The chart pages will open up in a new browser window.

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