Accounting Software for Automotive Repair Business

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muzzIT

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#114377 17-Feb-2013 23:14

Hi All,

I am looking for accounting software that is aimed towards the automotive repair sector.

I've looked at Quick books and MYOB but both seem to be lacking in the custom fields section so that I can add Rego Year Make Model Odometer etc to invoices etc.

Would prefer to say away from online based accounting software as the business will be mostly mobile and do not want to have lots of 3G data charges.

I have herd of spannerplanner.co.nz but do not have any more information about that, I have however requested more info from them.

Would like the NZ Geeks input :)

Regards

Murray

Stu

Hammered
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#763966 18-Feb-2013 07:38

I have a mechanic and auto electrician using SAM. I think it's http://www.sam.co.nz. Don't use Microsoft Security Essentials when running SAM though, or you'll end up with a corrupt database.
Not sure about mobile use for it though.

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sampler

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#763970 18-Feb-2013 08:19

BigHammer: I have a mechanic and auto electrician using SAM. I think it's http://www.sam.co.nz. Don't use Microsoft Security Essentials when running SAM though, or you'll end up with a corrupt database.
Not sure about mobile use for it though.

It also gets upset when running on workstations with most Symantec (Norton) security products, in particular 360.

The SAM program its self is ok. Not the greatest "accounting" program in the world, however very good at primary business cashbook style tasks (like invoicing etc)

Your customers accountant will be able to link SAM into MYOB for more formal accounting requirements like an understandable P&L etc.

Cheers

Lee

raytaylor

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#765609 19-Feb-2013 10:09

+1 for SAM

About 5 of our mechanic clients use it. Works well, and support is good.

Ray Taylor

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Zeon

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#765640 19-Feb-2013 10:58

Yea most use SAM. I wouldn't be so hesitant for cloud based to be honest. The 3g usage would be marginal and its much safer in terms of backups etc. as the risk of theft/damage to a mobile computer is muuuuch greater. I would almost argue cloud is more called for in this case.

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scheduler

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#765665 19-Feb-2013 11:34

Friends of mine have a small garage and they sweear by a programme by so easy accounting I think it is called my Mechanic.

SAM100

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#765697 19-Feb-2013 12:18

Hi,
I work in a small garage and we use the My mechanic software from SoEasy Accounting. NZ based programme (Mt.Maunganui) so support only a phone call away.
Check it out at http://www.soeasy.co.nz/products.html where you can look at a video

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muzzIT

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#765876 19-Feb-2013 17:15

Thanks for the reply's.

Ive sent requests to Sam for a demo and so easy for a bit more information.

At the moment my customer is trying MYOB Account right standard and we are playing around with invoice layouts and custom information on items.

We have also played around with cashbooks complete and xero, at the moment for ease of use xero is winning :) (I have also herd a lot of good feedback from xero users on geekzone )

As most of you know picking an accounting system is not a easy task and can have a very big impact on your business down the track.

I will test out so easy account and await for the sam trial to come through and see how they compare.

Also has anyone on here herd of or is using spanner planner? its integrated with xero for the accounting which I like, the costs are a bit higher that my customer would like (around $95 a month for spannerplanner alone plus xero) but if it does the job and does it correctly and saves my customer time then its worth it. :)

Thanks again for the help.

Murray

muzzIT

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#765879 19-Feb-2013 17:23

Hi again,

I was looking forward to trying out so easy account software, however there software does not run on 64bit windows.
Oh well back to customizing Myob invoices :)

raytaylor

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#765979 19-Feb-2013 21:05

I wouldnt use xero in a retail environment or anywhere where a customer needs an invoice handed to them.

It takes a while to create an invoice, select all the items, submit the invoice, view the invoice, click print, "open" the pdf, wait for the pdf to download and open in foxit/adobe, and then print again for it to actually come out the printer.

Basically there is alot of standing around waiting when the customer is usually in a hurry and wants to go.
Sam and myob are just so much quicker because stuff happens - instantly.

We use it in a retail environment at work, and i hate it - so slow because of all the screens you have to go through.

You cannot even make an invoice for a cash sale and take a payment on the same screen.

SAM also has features such as txt alerting so your customers know when to come back for their WOF's before its due.

Xero is for electricians or contractors who post / email out their invoices rather than hand them to a customer.

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