This site serves (mechanical) automotive repair shops. Service solutions are generally computer-based in the form of spreadsheets, databases, word processors and other applications. My introduction to the automotive repair industry was through providing support for the PACE Business Management system which is one of many computer programs in the Automotive Business Management software category.

What is Automotive Repair Shop Management Software?

The basics of any automotive business software system is generating work orders & invoices and the ability to review customer and vehicle service histories. Modern programs now also include the ability to lookup industry-standard labour times and interact with parts supplier's catalogues. The main purposes for implementing this kind of basic system are to:

• increase efficiency in serving customers
• timely retrieval of vehicle service history
• convey a more professional image 
• better office organization 
• increase efficiency of data collection for accounting

Management software is more than the above. It addresses (to varying degrees) production, accounting and marketing, the three 'legs' of any business. The main reason for installing this kind of system is for the ability to analyse information to improve your business.

Two critical factors in choosing a management software package are:

1. the variety of reports available
2. the ability to export data for analysis (or use) in other applications.

Without the ability to export your data, you become limited in terms of anlaysing your business and are vulnerable to any misfortunes the company that owns your software may experience. The misfortunes of the PACE Business Manager is testament to what I am referring to.  When considering how important it is to access a vehicle/customer's service history the second factor is the most important.

I strongly recommend to not purchase a software package that does not-or cannot-export service history.

Some of the popular Canadian produced systems are:

• Lankar Systems - Concord, ON
• Protractor Software Inc. - Toronto, ON
• Cars Systems Inc. - Mississauga, ON
• Costar Computer Systems - Sherwood Park, AB
• TSM (Total Shop Manager) - Surrey, BC

Many non-Canadian companies claim that their repair shop software product will work in the Canadian market although my research indicates this is not always the case. This is due to those sellers not being aware of how the Canadian VAT tax system (GST) works. If your shop has a requirement of the software to handle taxes including remittances then you must do appropriate research to determine if the product meets the needs of the Canadian market. Some USA produced systems are:

• ProfitBoost - Reno, NV
• Auto Repair Boss - McKinney, TX
• On-Demand5 - Poway, CA
• Star Service - Kenwood, CA
• Yes Management System - Bradenton, FL
• MaxxTraxx Pro - Carlsbad, CA
• Shop Controller - Mesa, AZ

The once dominant shop management software (in Canada) was the PACE Business Manager then owned by the Ontario company of the same name and is currently owned by Activant Solutions Inc., in California. This DOS-based automotive software is still widely used today and offers all the management features listed above.

HST Setup

First off, I would like to apologize to everyone for having taken so long to post these instructions. I originally took the tact of investigating every aspect of how implementing the HST would impact the typical shop.

I put in a lot of work corresponding to authorities and "experts" and had to delay putting up this page until I attended one of the government sponsored seminars in June. The end result was more than a few conflicting opinions including those at the government seminars.

Recently I decided to abandon this great big essay and just concentrate on showing people how to make the changes in Pace. Therefore I will leave it to you to consult with your accountant for the technicalities and legalities of what to charge whom, for what, and when.

You are advised to read the "Terms Of Use" page of this website. Essentially, I am offering this information without any guarantee or promises - it's free after all. Here is what I discovered from doing many experiments:

• after making the changes you will need to update every workorder (in Work In Progress) to effect the changes. This can be accomplished by editing a job or part, or, the easiest way I found is to simply select "Options" | "Supplies" and press [Enter] - see the bottom of this article for a screen shot.
• it appears that the federal tax rate does not change in the supplier account for a part that was initially added at 5% - this is good.
• the customer is immediately charged at the new HST rate - this is good.
• you will need to get all (parts) supplier invoices that have the 5% GST entered before making the changes - hurry hurry.