Auto Shop Writer Bulletins

When you perform a VIN decode, the data is taken from our CARFAX data file.  This is much faster than always doing it “online”.

An automatic update today should have placed the most current file on your server.  You don’t need to do anything.  It will overwrite the existing file.

If you have problems decoding any VIN number, please email them to us so we can test it here.  If our copy works, yours may not have updated, and we can do that manually.  If its not in the file, we can check with CARFAX and make sure that year/make/model is added to the database.

We attempt to update the file in April, September, and December.  This should keep it very current.

Keeping in touch with Auto Shop Writer has never been easier – and its absolutely FREE !  A few minutes now will help you keep in touch with your clients automatically, and that will encourage them to keep bringing their cars in for service.  Does it work ?  ABSOLUTELY !

In the previous bulletin we described how to setup your email system.  Most of our clients have had this in place for years, but some still don’t have it.  All along you have been able to send out PDF copies of anything you can print … reports, estimates, workorders … anything.  The only exception were people who had email accounts (SMTP) that required SSL Authentication.  The new email option has resolved that problem  Of course, if you only have a webmail account, that won’t work.  However, even GMAIL has an option for SMTP that will work with our new settings … as does Hotmail and those other so called free systems.  ( Remember, there is a cost … use a free service and they own your data and can use it anyway they want … and they tell you that quite clearly in their licensing agreement ).

So now you want to setup the AutoEmail.  There are three steps:

1)  Under the Client menu, select the Text Editor option.  You will want to setup 5 new emails.  You can give them any code you want ( How about TY, D30, D60, D90, and D120 ? ).  Make sure you use type E for each one.  Now, in the text box you will want to put the content of the email.  The first one is a Thank You note, and it goes out the night when the workorder was closed.  The others follow at 30 day intervals.

2)  The other step is to select Tools – Setup – Auto Emails from the menu system.  Check the box for Auto Email On ?, put S in the Method, and then add ( or look up ) the codes for each of the reminders.  Don’t leave any blank.  Then Save & Exit.

3)  The final step is a bit trickier.  You will want to go to your Server.  First, on the bottom right corner you will see a little ^ symbol.  Click on it and you will see some task icons.  Find the one with the ASW seascape.  Right click on it and select the last option to Exit the program.  Now, go to the lower left corner and point at Start button, and press the right mouse button.  Select Windows Explorer.  Click the plus sign next to the ASW9s folder, then click on the MLS folder.  You will see a list of files.  Point to the MLS9aus.exe file and click on the right mouse button.  Select Copy.  Then point to the ASW9s folder label.  Right click on it ( make sure its highlighted ) and click Paste.  Yes, you want to overwrite the existing file.  Finally, click on the Windows Start button, select the All Programs button, look for the Startup folder, and then click on the ASWUpdate program.  This will start the new version of the updater.

Now, anytime you perform a service for a client where you have entered an email address on their account, they will automatically receive this series of emails.  You never have to do anything else … it just happens.  However, you may want to refine the text of your emails from time to time.  Its always nice to get something that might be a bit different.