First, the update you just received has some features added to reports, key internal updates, the groundwork for new features, PLUS – On the Workorder screen, where you add PARTS, you will see a new FIND button.  When adding a lot of of parts on a workorder, instead of scrolling down to look for one, click on that button, put in the first few characters of the part number, and it will look for it and display a match.  If correct, select the Yes button and it will become the highlighted record.  If not, then it will look for the next match to what you entered.  Using Upper or lower case WILL make a difference.  Of coursee we recommend always using upper case for partnumbers.  

We have received questions recently asking “Does ASW do this ?”  People ask because sales people drop by wanting to sell their products, and have some feature highlight.  To be honest, if they share something, it is usually already in ASW, and if not, let us know, and we can probably add it.  In fact, recent requests are often implemented in hours, not months or years.  So here are some things we want you to know, and please feel free to be in touch if you want to know more:

+ ASW has integrated texting.  In fact it is capable of doing a multitude of tasks, even automatically, like appointment reminders, “Your car is ready” messages, “Please call us”, and so much more that can be defined by YOU.  Full details are in the manual.

+. ASW has integrated credit card processing, usually at rates well below what others offer, and it is able to handle that via the internet.  It is far easier than the steps most people must follow now.  We built interfaces with 3 different companies who are leaders serving your industry.

+  Inspection checklists are very popular with your customers.  In ASW, you can add one to the workorder with a single keystroke.  These are fully customizable by you, for your specific preferences, and you can decide when to add one to a workorder, and when to skip it.

+. ASW is NOT cloud based for some excellent reasons.  1). Our clients want to see a lot of data on one screen, and that simply is not how internet based softwre works.  2). Our local based service is far more secure.  We do not want or use your data.  It is yours.  Most other systems “mine” your data and resell it, or use it to sell you more stuff.  Internet based services also require excellent connection speeds and bandwidth, especially when you have multiple computers running.  Most of our clients simply do not have connections that are strong enough.  Also, cloud based systems are subject to hacking, and downtime.  Nothing is more frustrating than having your system down for hours, or even days, because those cloud based servers are out.  Our local systems are always up.

+. You can use ASW remotely.  Many of our clients work from mobil settings, or home, and they can work remotely from anywhere.

+. For many years, ASW has been able to use “tablet” computers for the program.  These MUST use WINDOWS as the operating system.  Shops have found the Microsoft Surface Pro to be the best “3 in one”, and carry it to the vehicle to get, and enter information, or take inventory, or even use remotely when they must be away from the shop.  However, there are other WINDOWS computers that provide 3 in one options ( tablet, laptop, easel ).  Many have docking ports which provide connections to keyboards, mice, monitors, and printers, and keep them charged.

+ ASW provides full marketing capabilities, with automated emails, shop reminders, etc.

+. Our support is live, personal, and capable of fixing any software based issues very quickly.  One call, text, or email, gets an immediate response.  NO PHONE TREE, NO AI, NO TEXT READING OFFSHORE SUPPORT PERSON.  We know our clients.  When an error is reported, it is fixed, an update pushed out, and if it means someone can’t get work done, we’ll go online and transfer the new files to them right away so they are up and running, though our updates do put the fixes on their system within 3 hours of them being on our server.  

+ We know the cost of doing business is increasing, and when you pass those prices on to your clients, you risk losing them, even though you have no choice.  We have kept our prices stable for years … no increases and that will hold true in 2025.  We also do not ask you to purchase add ons, or pay for other services.  Some of our integrations are with other service providers but they even keep their costs down.  And, they are optional.

As we complete 2024, we will be laying the groundwork for new advances after the first of the year.  We are moving into the holiday season, and after 42 years serving the automotive repair industry, we know this is not a good time to put out versions with new features.  Of course, we will fix any bugs ( if there are any … which is actually quite rare ) and we might tweak a few things, but any big additions will wait.

Thank you for taking the time to read this bulletin.  Feel free to be in touch if you have any further questions.