I love the title to this blog, Autoflow.AI; it sounds techy and geeky (which, of course, I am). I previously wrote about the basics and wonders of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IVR (Interactive Voice Response) but didn’t promote that Autoflow now has an AI component. It’s time to share that we have merged AI with IVR to start making things a little easier for shops to communicate both during and after hours. Our system will automatically respond when a customer or potential customer sends a text to one of my shops asking three common, basic inquiries:  When does your shop open tomorrow? When does your shop close today? Can I book an appointment? What another great application of convenience for both your service advisors and customers!

Another software vendor mentioned that in the next few quarters they will have this technology.  While I think that is great for them, we already have it! Why did we already launch this initiative?  In my shops, it is all about customer convenience and perception. When a customer would text us after hours asking “What time do you open tomorrow?” it was really poor on our part to not respond UNTIL TOMORROW!  Also, why distract my service advisors from having to answer “When do you close today?” when the answer never changes? Why can’t technology help my counter people answer a little quicker? It can, and we made it to where it does.

Why did I write Autoflow? To help my shops become the best of the best and to create a level of transparency and service that is bar none. I then decided to share with my fellow shop owners, brothers and sisters who work hard everyday to make it in a tough service industry. I will never talk ill will about my competitors; that is just not my style.  But, I sometimes wonder if they really understand our journey as shop owners and the “why” behind what they do?