We realized there was one issue with the new lookup system, so we’ve made an addition. 

Sometimes when a client comes to the counter, and you wish to start a workorder, they do not know their license.  In the newest update ( .25 ), simply put a ? in the license field.  Then a list of clients, and their vehicles, will pop up.  Start typing in the last name of the client, or the company name, and locate the proper vehicle.  Double click on it, and you will be asked if you are starting with an Estimate.  Then the workorder will open up with the vehicle and client fully assigned.

Also, as the previous bulletin noted, on returning vehicles, the ONLY thing you need to enter when the 3 item box pops up is the LICENSE.  Then hit Accept and automatically the invoice starts with client and vehicle fully applied.

The ONLY time you need to enter the state is if it is a new vehicle ( so put in License and State for CARFAX to find the VIN ), or scan in the VIN.  Then the system will decode the vehicle data and create a new record for it.  When asked about a client, if they are returning ( and in the system ), a Yes will display a popup box to locate the client, and double clicking on that will attach the client to the vehicle, all data will be saved, and the workorder created.  If you say NO ( indicating a new client ), you will be asked for the name, and a popup will appear that allows you to add the important data.  Saving this will add the client to the database, and vehicle, and start the workorder.

Following these steps will eliminate a lot of work, and handle your tasks more quickly.

Thanks for reading this bulletin. 

We’ve streamlined the process for adding a vehicle and client to a workorder.  In the past you needed to work through the vehicle and client edit screens … now we use automated processes and pop up windows to do the task … easier and quicker.  We’ve also included using barcode readers.

When you select the Add button, and then Service, on the Workorder List screen, you will get a popup box that asks for the License, State, and VIN.  If you leave all three boxes blank, then you will open the workorder as a Cash Sale, and you can use the normal Vehicle and Client buttons to add that information at a later time.

If you enter the license, then hit the Ok button, the system will search for the vehicle.  If it exists in the data file, then it will grab it, plus the client, add them to the workorder, and open it.  If it does not find them, it will prompt you for the VIN, and search again by that value.  If it still doesn’t find it, then it will lead you through adding the vehicle.  There is not much to this since it automatically reaches out to CARFAX and gets all the essential data.

If you enter the VIN, then it will do a search by that tag, and if it isn’t found, prompt you to add it.  Of course it automatically reaches out to CARFAX for the data.

VIN numbers are long.  However, you can click the mouse to place the prompt in the VIN field, walk to the vehicle, scan the vin code with a proper reader, then go back into the office to complete your work.  ( You must use a barcode reader that decodes VINs. )

So what if you don’t want to go get the VIN.  You enter the license and state, and if it is in the system, it starts a workorder with that data.  If not, it obtains the VIN and the vehicle data, and adds a new record for you.

The whole process is fast, and easy, eliminating a lot of lookups and steps.  ASW does the work for you.

We have been using the Inatech P6, Yellow, from Amazon.com, for all of our testing.  It’s lightweight, rechargeable, and wireless.  It sells for $ 80 at this link:  https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-P6-Y-Wireless-Barcode-Scanner/dp/B071GJGKQT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519690708&sr=8-1&keywords=inateck+p6   You can certainly use any barcode reader you like, but be sure it can read both VIN and UPC codes ( for vehicles and parts ). 

This release will arrive in the next few days. We want to do some more aggressive testing before release.