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4 Ways Small Business Inventory Software Helps Auto Parts Desks

4 Ways Small Business Inventory Software Helps Auto Parts Desks
Many car dealerships with parts departments rely on small business inventory software to manage their stock levels.

When you consider the number of makes, models and years of passenger vehicles on the road, you begin to understand just how many parts are required to service them. To keep track of it all, many dealerships rely on small business inventory software. This enables them to provide quick, convenient service for customers.

In addition to automotive dealer software to manage the sale of vehicles, many dealerships understand their business management system also needs to incorporate after-sales support. After all, there is a lot of repeat business to be had:

  • Servicing
  • Repairs
  • Upgrades
  • Trade-ins
  • Warranties

1. New and Used Dealers

It doesn’t matter whether you’re involved in new or used car sales, small business inventory software can help streamline your parts department. The chances are good that if you own a brand dealership, like Dodge or Ford, you’ve got a pre-owned department anyway. 

Offering parts and services to customers who buy new vehicles directly from your lot is likely a major priority. However, if you also have the ability to easily source parts for vehicles from other manufacturers, you’ll broaden your customer base.

2. Vehicle History

While it’s obviously important for a car dealership to keep their customers’ information on account, it’s equally essential to have their vehicle details in the system. This becomes even more necessary if the owner has more than one vehicle registered with the dealership (i.e. a fleet of courier vans).

This makes it easier to track the vehicle’s complete history: 

  • Repairs
  • Installations
  • Maintenance schedule
  • Warranty claims
  • Recalls

3. Environmental Levies and Taxes

Given the ever-increasing environmental restrictions being put in place, businesses selling automotive parts such as batteries and tires are required to charge additional levies at point of sale. The amount charged varies among states and provinces. 

Rather than risk forgetting to add these taxes on the sales invoice, or entering the wrong amount, you can configure small business inventory software to flag the necessary products to automatically insert the charge. You can easily highlight it on its own line below the subtotal so the customer understands how you arrived at the grand total.

4. Easy Estimates

Estimates are basically invoices that have yet to be finalized. Using inventory control software, they can be amended at any time, and once created, they can be attached to the customer’s account. Estimates can be used for both products and services, and they are a great option for keeping a customer committed to the sale.

When the customer is ready to pay, switching the estimate to an invoice is straightforward because you don’t have to reenter the information.

To learn more about the benefits of inventory software, read our post: 3 Ways Inventory Control Software Will Streamline Your Business.

Could you use a little managing your auto parts system? Windward Software’s small business inventory software is designed to give companies the control they need to oversee every aspect of their operations. Call us to learn more.

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