Close to 50 companies responded to an AutoInc. questionnaire that was provided online for the first time. This year's questionnaire is a stark departure from previous years and was revamped to include more features. ASA member Joan Koebernick, AAM, of Dakota-K Auto Repair Center and Tires, was the architect of this year's survey. Koebernick serves on the ASA board of directors and is an automotive software expert, investing many years in studying different types of shop management programs. She applies her software knowledge in teaching a course for the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) titled "Automotive Management Software: What We Should be Asking For and Utilizing in Automotive Management Software." Koebernick believes the major purpose of shop management software is to improve productivity.

The July software issue is the most requested of the year and is compiled from AutoInc.'s software questionnaire that is completed by shop management software companies. The questionnaire is organized by categories - including Inventory, Necessary Reports, Labor Functions, Track Technician Productivity, Customers, Vehicles, Scheduling, Invoicing, Management Features and Customer Follow-Up.

Early reviewers have noted the new survey is more comprehensive. Last year's survey highlighted close to 50 software features, whereas this year's survey includes almost double that amount. In the interest of space, the print version of AutoInc. highlights about half of the software features included on the full questionnaire. A complete list can be found at AutoInc.'s Web site (www.autoinc.org). To learn more about the new online features, see "AutoInc. Offers Supplemental Coverage to Software Issue" below.

As with any new endeavor such as this year's questionnaire, AutoInc. welcomes your input. Because there is a vast difference between this year's software charts and those in the past, please send in your suggestions on how it can be improved or enhanced to editor@asashop.org.

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