Just as the latest robotic surgery technology would be useless without the skilled hand and mind of a trained surgeon, shop software is also useless without the proper team and processes in place. This is something we often come across when training shop owners on using software.

For example, we’ve been asked, “I have a problem with a tech stealing work from other techs. Will your software prevent this from happening?” The answer is NO; software is not going to fix a fundamental problem with an employee.

Another scenario that has come up is, “No one in the shop seems to know what’s going on. Can your software fix the communication around here?” Not exactly. If you don’t communicate, the software will not make you start. All we can do is provide a framework and context for your shop to communicate within.

Software can take a good shop and make it great. It can help streamline good processes and make communication easier, both inside and outside your shop. But, software is not a silver bullet that can be installed and instantly make a poor shop great.

The following statement is to prepare you for a switch to a digital process: IF you are having issues in your shop, resolve them first. Put a process in place, and then start shopping for software to get your shop to that next level.

Going to a digital process takes work and will not be something that happens overnight. You will encounter pushback from staff and moments when everyone seems to be on a different page. Remember, making something become a habit takes repetition and time.