JMK Computerized TDIS
Urbana, Ill.-based JMK Computerized TDIS is introducing new features to its software at the upcoming Specialty Equipment Market Association show.
JMK said those features include: electronic collection and retrieval of historical ``proof of delivery'' information; ability to e-mail or fax that proof directly to the customer; access to the Wrenchead aftermarket parts application database; automatic entry of parts numbers from the database; enhanced invoice design options using laser printers; enhanced low-cost Internet access to connect remote stores; and the ability to print out long reports in five minutes.
For more information, contact JMK at (217) 384-8891 or e-mail: [email protected]
MaddenCo Inc.
MaddenCo Inc. of Evansville, Ind., continues to make enhancements to its software products-86 of which are listed on its Web site and available to clients upon request, according to President Greg Madden.
MaddenCo called its ``hottest new development'' Scan Billing, which allows dealers to scan retread and new tire shipments to a customer via wireless, hand-held, online scanners.
Inventory receiving and physical count reconciliation also can be done with the scanners. The company will discuss Scan Billing at its October dealer meeting in Evansville, Mr. Madden said.
The software firm also signed an agreement with Activant to incorporate its electronic parts catalog into MaddenCo's point-of-sale system. MaddenCo said it now will be able to offer a reduced price to its clients for Activant's data rental.
For more information, visit MaddenCo's Web site, www.maddenco.com or call (812) 474-6245.
Mitchell 1
Poway, Calif.-based Mitchell 1 has released version 5.6 of its OnDemand5 Manager/ManagerPlus software product and is offering enhancements geared toward streamlining shop management functions.
The software offers optional dial-up and high-speed electronic parts ordering.
Users also can set their system to automatically charge late fees for inclusion in a customer's balance due statement, and the system will create a report that details assessed fees.
The software has additional address label formats, new follow-up letters as well as reports for canned job usage, late fees, daily posted charges and sales by the service writer.
Other enhancements include:
* A customer follow-up feature that includes a new/inactive tab allowing users to run queries to locate new customers or inactive customers. Printed reports can be sorted by customer, technician, zip code and invoice date;
* The vehicle screen includes a memo field to store information; users can opt to print this memo on all estimates, repair orders and invoices;
* Stored notes can now be used as specific job recommendations;
* For customer discounts, a new feature adds the discount to an order indicating the exact nature of the discount. Deleting the discount note line on an order removes the discount;
* The canned job tab now displays up to 30 pre-selected jobs;
* Quick estimates now have access to current shop promotions;
* Users have control of five technician worksheets that can be printed while the order is still an estimate; and
* Each service writer can create an individual profile on an order.
For more information, contact Mitchell 1 at (888) 724-6742 or visit www.mitchell1.com.
QBC Systems Inc.
Buffalo-based QBC Systems Inc. has released TireServ 7.0, a software program the company described as a comprehensive solution for point-of-sale, distribution, back-office accounting and business management.
TireServ was developed to meet end-user demand and to enhance communications between a tire dealership and its warehouse, customers, branches and remote salesmen, according to QBC. Customers, remote salesmen or branch offices can place orders or inquire into past and/or open transactions pertaining to their accounts with ease, as well as view item availability and pricing.
To access the inventory system through TireServ, salespeople need to use a laptop computer, a wireless access card from Verizon Wireless or Sprint PCS and QicPC II, a client-application software that comes with TireServ.
For additional information, contact the company at (716) 691-5201 or visit its Web sites, www.tireserv.com and www.qbc.com.
QDS Inc.
QDS Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bandag Inc., has upgraded its TireMaster program to include inventory management via the Internet.
QDS said a group of dealers or stores can run the upgrade by using a common Web site to access inventory SKU and pricing updates. The upgrade is a fully automated process that takes minutes to run and places the updated data in a file on the Web site at the central office. An e-mail notice is sent to all dealers in the group to make them aware of the available update.
The company also added features to TireMaster that support billings that come from service trucks. Dealers can now document specifically where in the field the work was done and can collect the correct amount of sales tax for a given invoice.
Additionally, QDS created a security feature against employee theft that would block the ability to manipulate a work order that has committed inventory to a service truck without a supervisor or manager override.
For more information, contact QDS at (208) 855-0781 or visit the company Web site, www.qds-solutions.com.
Tire Company Solution
Cookeville, Tenn.-based Tire Company Solution (TCS) has released version 6.30 of its software, which includes 2004 Tire Guide data and several new features and enhancements.
Those features include:
* National accounts distribution-specifically Goodyear and TireHQ have been added to simplify and speed up payment processing;
* TCS has teamed up with X-Charge, a credit card processor, to process credit card transactions directly through a customer payment window, speeding up the payment process and eliminating extra terminals;
* A ``4 and out the door'' pricing feature that allows for a quick total price lookup of each inventory item;
* More readable fonts and shortcuts, quick right-click options, window re-size features, among others; and
* Pictures of each tire or wheel in a dealer's inventory.
For more information, contact TCS's Barry Reese at (888) 449-8473 or visit www.tcstire.com.