This is the first of 3 bulletins on the new features in Auto Shop Writer which can enhance your business, and do it very easily.  Two of these have to do with the email system.  Please read this bulletin carefully.

First, if your Auto Shop Writer email is working fine, STOP !  You do not need to do anything discussed below.  Just leave your system alone and it will continue to work even with the new features !

If you have not been able to get your email to work, then the alternative implementation we have added may resolve that problem.  Essentially, some of the email services now require SSL Authentication.  Please try the following steps only if your email system is properly setup but does not send out the emails.  This means you have the right SMTP server address, username, and password installed. 

Enter the email Setup under Tools, Setup on the main menu, and you will see a box that says Use CDO ?  Check this box.  Also check the box that says Authentication ?  Finally, make sure you know the proper Port your email host requires for SSL traffic.  Once you have made these simple changes, save the results.

Finally, go to the Help menu, click on Email Tech Support.  In the Subject area put your shop name, and in the text area, put “Testing CDO”.  If we receive the email, we will reply to you confirming that it did go through.

Why do this ?  The next bulletin will explain how to setup your Auto Emails.  What’s this ?  You set it up once, and then anytime you service a car for a client who has an email address, the next day they will receive a Thank You note, and then reminders at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after the service.  What else do you need to do after you set this up ?  Absolutely nothing !  It is all automatic !

How difficult is the setup ?  Its actually quite easy … and should take you about 15 minutes total – ONCE !