Detailling Management Software

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Spy474

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Hi everyone,

I'm planning to start my detailing business next summer. This summer i'm taking experiences and building things at properly.

In my part time, I like to develop some little software. I'm planning to write a software to manage my compagny.

So, i would like to know, what are you using to manage your compagny?
What is the most important feature that a software need to have for you?
Etc,

I'm planning to give it here after i'm done ;)
 
Sounds good.
My cash register is Square.
I can input cash, pics, info and pull up spreed sheets and the like. Also accept credit cards with it, but it's mostly my cash register.
My GF uses Excel to input my customers, but I just use my brain to bring up customer info and, if needed, it's on their receipt.
When most customers call back I know exactly who they are and what I did to there car.

Now if I had employees, (eeeeeeeeeck!) I would want them to input everything they did for the customer so I'd have a record. But if your by yourself then I don't think you "need" it.

My mentor uses "something" and I remember one day he was all pissed about it crashing and all of his customer info was gone!!!!
Hence my receipts. I write everything down, it's mine and the customer gets a copy and they aren't going to "crash" and disappear.
 
There are a bunch of apps and mobile CC devices available to manage your sales and collect payment I agree with M.
I always have my laptop with me to add customer info into a spread sheet. I keep all the major info. Contact info, make and model, service they ordered.
I always keep paper receipts and estimates and inspection forms. Once a sale is closed I scan in all the paperwork and each client has a folder with the info, receipt, inspection form and photos.
Sometimes I have a word document in there with little notes I made about process and issues I ran into on that particular vehicle. It's there for future reference and if I get the same car from someone else I might have a note that may help with the new client.
I'm low volume so it's easy for me to manage that.
I also keep inventory on spreadsheets. It's mostly to track supply cost, pricing. I only rip through a few supplies on a regular basis so inventory is not a issue for me.
I'm low volume so it's easy for me to manage it.
 
I've always used QuickBooks and really need to come to an alternative. When I used the software version it crashed all the time and the online version is better, but kind of a pain in the ...
 
If you run android tablet or phone, download "Clover Point of Sale".

Best software i ever had, but could be better. I think their API is available to download and modify but i know nothing about programming.

Basically, I store customer info like name, ph#, email, and lic plate. Then i can start an order under that customers info, save it, then cash it out when they pay. Next time the come in I run the lic# and everything pops back up. I can review previous orders and notes. Its all on a cloud and its FREE. You can program buttons, have variable price points for vehicle sizes or condition. Manage inventory if you sell products, etc. And it also acts as a quickbooks, as in you can make reports broken down by what packages you've sold, car sizes, up sells, etc.

FREEEEEEEEEE =)
 
Hum... running an accounting software on my phone... I don't know... was thinking of using my laptop to do all that stuff. Need to find a portable printer though, for printing receipts. Anyone use a setup like that?
 
Calendyr said:
Hum... running an accounting software on my phone... I don't know... was thinking of using my laptop to do all that stuff. Need to find a portable printer though, for printing receipts. Anyone use a setup like that?
Click to expand...

I run it on my Galaxy Tablet, and have it as a backup on my 2 android phones. The database is actually online, in a cloud setting. I pull all detailed reports off my laptop @ home, or anywhere that I can get on the internet I can log in and access. So if any of your devices ever die or get lost, you still have all info. Im the MAN

Not only that, the program in itself is really a Point of sale system.. Buttons are programmed in numerous ways and categories, all done by you just how you like it. SO i just touch screen the whole order and save it, then cash it out like a register and all the info is transmitted online, i can email or text a reciept or buy a bluetooth printer to print one. The functionality of a tablet and android/Apple systems demolish most laptops.
 
I will have to have a look at that software, you seems to really like it. For me the problem is not the quality of the software or it's safety... it's entering a lot of data using a phone. That is very tedious for me.
 
Calendyr said:
Hum... running an accounting software on my phone... I don't know... was thinking of using my laptop to do all that stuff. Need to find a portable printer though, for printing receipts. Anyone use a setup like that?
Click to expand...

The local guy who is always taking "action" shots at the little legue games just runs an inverter and has his laptop and a nice printer hooked to it.(his printer is highend lazer for printing his photoes). That would solve your printer needs though. just buy a heavy duty enough inverter. I have seen some really cool micro sized ones made for portability with laptops HP Deskjet 350c - printer - color - ink-jet - product summary - Bing Shopping this one looks decent. There are other options on the page when you open the link.
 
I keep seeing an add on tv for a scanner that does all of that for you. its suppoed to organize your buisness cards into a contact list, track your reciepts ect. Ill have to make a note of it next time I see it.
 
Hey guys, I'm starting a new mobile detailing business and have been having the same conundrum. Best app I've found is insightly ; it's absolutely brilliant!
it's web based, has versions for android / ios, can integrate with google apps and a number of other products, can track everything about customers (including important events like birthdays) , and best of all you can do most of this for free, for life!

I've done quite a bit of CRM research over the last few weeks, and insightly is heads above the rest
 
Im currently working on the same thing in my downtime at my 9-5. I will keep you updated on what I am do. Right now I am building the databases and Inventory system mainly in excel along with a barcode scanner. This is also going to allow me to break down everything that I do. I will be doing a write up as soon as I am finished.
 
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