The tech show in KC is called the vision show. I would guess it was started as just a training show, until someone thought about having all of these people in the auto repair business coming for training, why not try to sell them stuff. The expo part is what I go for. So many suppliers and retailers are there.
I have never went for any training, but have took in the expo part for many years. Many times you are not just talking to a salesperson, you are talking to the person that built or designed it.
One of my first trips there I stopped at the SnapON tools booth. I had the old brick scan tool that was updated, up to when they quit supporting it. The brick was several years sort of out of date, just because they had no more updates for it. I think it was the modis that they had out then. I was looking at it and talking to the guy. He was there for the show, but he knew nothing about anything but scan tools. After a few minutes of talking to him, he just did not sound like a salesperson. He said he had never sold a tool in his life, he just built them.
He worked for the company that SnapOn owns and built the scan tools. After talking to him a while and playing with one, he told me what I wanted to know. I think what sold me on it was that it was, just a newer scan tool. Every place the brick took you, the modis was not much different and took you the same places. Essentially the layout was the same. When we got to price and if it was on sale, he started asking about my brick scanner. He told me if I had all of the adaptors they would work on the modis, and I didn't need the whole set up. Gave me a part number of basically the tool.
I came home and when the dealer stopped the next week the part number was good, but he had no clue about sort of selling the scanner only set up. It saved me about $2200 if I recall. Honestly the tool guy never could come up with it, but he did give me the whole modis kit, with all of the adaptors and such. At the tool only price.
The link is here
Hi-Tech Training & Expo For Automotive Professionals Mar 6-9 2025 in Kansas City. Powered by Midwest Auto Care Alliance.
www.visionkc.com
I think the other part about attending the trade show is what is out there. I sort of laugh any more at the idea of business reviews. A few years ago there was several companies there, all geared towards websites and reviews. Most could put you at the top of searches, and give you highly rated reviews. If you wanted to pay it could be done.
Another guy that was there one year was the magnetic induction heaters. Not only was he selling it, he built it. He knew and could explain all about the tool, and the capabilities of it.
As far as the questions of accounting software. I really have never had it. My wife is the business side of our little one man shop(that is me).
I can just tell you a few things that I have been told along the way. Use soft ware that you understand and that your tax preparer is used to using. I would guess most tax people are very aware of QB software, but I would doubt very much that they would even recognize a Mitchell or alldata system. Use what they are familiar with.
I have never had anything but QB, but I would guess they could do what ever any of the rest will do. If you can set it up for doing so. I would guess it would be able to track time and such for each job. As I said above any system sort of built for a certain industry, will shortcut the process. An all around system will sort of have to be set up to the way you want to use it.
QB has worked fine for me. I am by myself so no need for tracking staff. I also do not track inventory and such. I would guess, but do not know, that something like a mitchell would just let you drop ordered parts right to invoicing, and likely any labor also. I would guess if the labor showed AC evacuation was included, or alignment was not included, or a dash unit needed to be R&R for a heater core, that would drop down. Pretty much how it would be written in a labor guide.
I guess I just do not need all of that. The customers I have must be OK with replace heater core under labor description. I am not sure they care to know that the AC was reclaimed and the dash was sitting on the floor.
I guess I have always just kept it simple. Essentially accounting software is pretty basic. What comes in, less what goes out, and what is left over. How many ever steps it takes in between is up to you. You have to justify the time it takes to perform those extra steps.
If you want to PM me I could tell you some things I have done with QB that has helped me out. I am not sure you will ever find an off the shelf software that is perfect for your needs. I think you have to figure out which one works the best and sort of tailor it towards your needs.
diag.net
www.iatn.net
