Tekmetric’s November 2024 Product Rundown

Highlights from November include the refresh of Tekmetric Payments, the launch of our Booking Tool in beta mode, and the addition of a time clock to the mobile app. Learn more about these updates below.

Streamline Payments for Your Shop with Tekmetric Payments

We’re excited to introduce our refreshed payments solution, Tekmetric Payments (formerly known as Tekmerchant). This update includes:

• ​A dedicated “payments” section of the platform
• ​Insights into payments over time and their details (method, timeline, etc.)
• ​More detailed payout information (transactions included, payout schedule, etc.)
• ​Dispute management and resolution workflow within the platform
• ​Sunbit is now available as an additional buy now, pay later option

These enhancements are included at no additional cost for current Tekmetric Payments customers. More features and financial partners are expected in the coming months.

Who’s this for? Tekmetric Payments Customers. Interested in adding this to your subscription? Contact us.

See the Evolution of our Mobile App - Time Clock & Enhanced Camera Experience

The Tekmetric Mobile App now includes time clock functionality, allowing techs to clock in, out, and take breaks from their mobile device. The camera experience has also been enhanced with tap-to-focus and a convenient "trash can" feature for image markup editing. This enables seamless, efficient digital vehicle inspections (DVIs) directly from your phone.

Who’s this for? All customers using version 1.7.0. Check your version at the bottom of the left sidebar and update via your app store if needed.

Join Our Booking Tool Beta Group

You can now manage your scheduling process directly from your Tekmetric account. Configure appointment settings and embed the tool onto your website in minutes, eliminating the need to manage multiple systems.

Connect to PartsTech Seamlessly

Connecting Tekmetric with PartsTech is now easier than ever. No more searching for API keys or navigating complex vendor setups—connect to PartsTech's parts network directly within Tekmetric Integrations with just a few clicks. This enhancement streamlines your parts setup experience, allowing you to order parts quickly on the estimate and focus on getting vehicles back on the road faster.

Who’s this for? All customers, especially those without PartsTech enabled.

Gain Control of Your Pricing Strategy For Oil Changes

When building a Smart Canned Job for oil changes, you now have complete control of your pricing strategy. Present service specials with clean, professional pricing that builds trust with your customers. This is ideal for advertising competitive oil change specials while managing surplus charges effortlessly.

Who’s this for? All Customers

Get Professional-grade Accountability With PO# on Estimates

For shops that do fleet work, you can now add the PO# directly on repair orders. It will display automatically across estimates, invoices, and A/R statements for your fleet customers. This enhancement brings professional-grade accountability to your workflow, making it easy to track approvals and maintain precise documentation. Input the PO number once in the RO sidebar, and Tekmetric handles the rest.

Who’s this for? All customers

Simplify Inventory Management at the Shop Level

A new shop-level inventory feed is now available on the shop dashboard, putting vital inventory edits at your fingertips. This view helps you monitor inventory changes across your shop, making it easier to spot trends, prevent shrinkage, and ensure you have the parts you need when you need them.

Who’s this for? All customers.

FAQ

Leveraging Customer Feedback to Improve Shop Performance

In the auto repair industry, customer trust and satisfaction are paramount. Leveraging customer feedback is an invaluable strategy for improving shop performance. As technology improves, customer expectations for service quality and transparency continue to rise. Shops can actively seek, analyze, and act upon customer feedback to better meet these expectations, enhance service offerings, and build long-term loyalty.

Customer feedback, when leveraged effectively, can lead to enhanced satisfaction, repeat business, and a stronger reputation. Shops that prioritize and act on feedback will be better equipped to thrive and succeed.

Know your audience in the modern industry

Today’s customers are increasingly digital. While phone calls were once the primary form of communication, digital methods like email or text messaging are now preferred. 91% of texts are opened within three minutes, and 81% of Americans text regularly. Cater to your audience’s communication preferences to ensure effective engagement.

Convenience is also key. Customers expect quick, easy solutions—whether it’s groceries delivered or auto repairs scheduled online. Implement digital solutions to make the customer experience more convenient, increasing loyalty and repeat business.

Collect feedback on your shop’s customer experience

Understand your audience and their experience with your business. Foster a two-way relationship by giving customers opportunities to share direct feedback. This helps you identify strengths and pain points, allowing for targeted improvements.

Track feedback through Google reviews, post-service surveys, or in-person conversations. Digital tools can help monitor all forms of feedback. Tekmetric integrates with various solutions to monitor and respond to feedback via Google reviews. The Smart Jobs feature allows service advisors to create estimates quickly, freeing up time to build strong customer relationships.

Leverage feedback to improve shop performance

Customer feedback highlights bottlenecks from the vehicle owner’s perspective. For example, assigning parts ordering and inventory tracking to service advisors can create miscommunication and delays. Tekmetric’s Inventory Orders feature allows technicians to order parts directly, improving accuracy and customer experience.

Convenience is crucial for loyalty. Digital payment solutions, such as two-way texting and text-to-pay, allow customers to pay from anywhere, even for family members in different states or after hours. Implementing feedback strengthens the connection between your shop and customers, streamlines processes, and leads to increased loyalty and a healthier bottom line.

Three Benefits of Integrated Payments in Your Auto Repair Shop

The customer experience begins when vehicle owners bring in their car and continues through the final touchpoint: payment. Integrated payments meet customers where they are in today’s digital market, whether paying from home, after hours, or from another state. This flexibility improves shop efficiency, customer experience, and overall workflow.

1. Facilitate shop efficiency

Integrated payments provide a centralized location for transactions, allowing service advisors to maximize workflow and complete more repairs. Customers can pay without being present or needing a physical credit card. Tekmetric’s text-to-pay feature enables payment anytime, from anywhere.

2. Improve the customer experience

Integrated payments streamline the payment process, providing a value-added experience. Customers remember the convenience of payment, which can drive revenue and loyalty. Shops can share invoices and accept payments via text and email, allowing customers to pay directly from their smartphone.

3. Meet customers where they want to be

Most auto repair purchases are unexpected. Integrated payments, including Buy Now, Pay Later options, allow customers to pay in installments, meeting them where they are financially and ensuring repairs are completed safely and promptly.

Digital payments are essential for modern auto repair shops. Implementing customer-centric digital solutions improves the customer experience, increases workflow efficiency, and creates a positive, lasting impression that encourages loyalty and referrals.

Find Reliable Automotive Repair Shop Software That Shops Trust

When searching for a new shop management system, it can be overwhelming to sort through options and features. The best way to find the right tool is to seek information from those who use these tools daily—shop owners, managers, service advisors, and technicians. Online reviews, user groups, and case studies are valuable resources to help make informed decisions for your team.