3 Pitfalls In PDR Management
Each year, the auto industry gets a little bit more complex. But, with that complexity also comes updated technology to help your business along the way. Unfortunately, not everyone is quick to adapt and some still rely on old methods, such as spreadsheets, sticky notes, or even dry-erase boards to try to keep track.
When this happens, some shops end up feeling a need to micromanage all of their
Manual Workflow Processes
If your PDR shop is still using spreadsheets, dry erase boards, sticky notes, or just paper in general, it’s eating up way too much of your business time. If you’re finding that you’re spending dozens of hours getting job approvals, creating schedules, tracking estimates and invoices, then you’re doing way more work than you need to.
Right now, the most successful shops rely on PDR management software to get their workflow in order. The software provides real-time updates on vehicle statuses, can track vehicles, customers, estimates, invoices, approvals, and more, all at the click of a button. Don’t get stuck micromanaging when there is software out there to automate those processes for you.
Disconnected Software Management Tools
Let’s say you have taken the plunge into automating your PDR shop’s processes. That’s a great first step, but if you have one application for project communication, another for data storage, and then something else for scheduling, then you’re still making the workflow process harder than it needs to be. It’s easy for you and your team to get jumbled up looking through different programs where data might be stored to find who’s working on what, what’s been approved, and more when you have individual apps tracking different business functions.
Nowadays, there are a few PDR management software solutions out there that put it all in one place. Fewer still can also connect with existing accounting software and body shop crash systems to make everything a little easier. Look for software that integrates with your accounting system, as well as your clients’ systems to make for seamless end-to-end management.
Not Adapting Your Workflow And Correcting Bottlenecks
If you wait until the job is over to figure out what could have been better, you’ll simply have less engagement from your team. If a bottleneck arises, it’s important to tackle it in the moment rather than waiting to discuss it afterward. A good workflow process can avoid potential bottlenecks and real-time information can allow you to address them when they do arise. At the end of the day, it’s harder to see what exactly went wrong in the process when you wait until the job is over.
Again, the best PDR and SMART Repair management software can help you completely track and manage your workflow processes– especially within the back-office. If an issue arises during the PDR process, you can get real-time alerts sent to you or your team on their desktop or mobile devices that can get eyes on the issue in time to keep it from becoming a bottleneck.
