Automotive Business software

[runonbeer]

Yo,
I've been really enjoying the discussions on this board. It has helped me make some very good tool purchase decisions. I operate a one man Volkswagen TDI/Diesel repair/maintenance shop here in Austin TX. I've been servicing the cars since 2002 when I bought a TDI. I concurrently operated an alternative fuel distribution company that I still partially own. When that company was bought out in 2007 I was not allowed to have any other sources of income so I trained another individual to take over the VW biz. He bought all my tools and moved to Colorado. He still operates www.dieselland.net. I'm now buying all my tools back (yeah! I get to replace all my harbor freight **** with good stuff).

Now to get to the point,

I'm looking for a computer program to help me:
-manage inventory
-create invoices
-track/record repairs
-manage bank accounts

And as optional features:
-create expense reports
-P&L

Free is good (unless free is bad). I've used quickbooks before and I tried to use Premier for my VW biz previously but it just didn't fit comfortably with the car repair format.

guys got any suggestions?

-rob

 

[BillK]

Rob,
Go to www.iatn.net and sign up ( its free ) Then ask your question in the management forum. You will get plenty of answers. Also, if you are willing to be a paying member ( a very good investment) you can search all of the past forum discussions and find more information than you will probably want

I read the management forum every day .... much much good information for anyone in the automotive business.

 

[runonbeer]

Well I took your advice. I got 13 emails the first day after my registration was accepted. I wish I could specify that the only thing I know anything about are VW TDI engines. Only one of the 13 was even a question about a diesel.

I guess for now i'll just manually create invoices in excel. I only get about 1-2 cars per week anyway. I'm really a salmon fisherman, I just work on TDIs to help the locals avoid the dastardly dealerships and stave of boredom.