Running an automobile servicing company requires expertise in much more than simply the inner workings of cars and trucks. You also need to have skills in human resources, bookkeeping, inventory management, and customer service. As hard as it may be to believe, the single act of finding the right smart terminal can help streamline all of these aspects of your operations.
What is a smart terminal?
On one level, a smart terminal is the hardware (terminal and card readers) and software (payment processing and database programs) that enables you to accept customers’ credit card payments. A good system is equipped with security mechanisms that help to protect your clients’ personal information from getting into the wrong hands.
Beneath its sleek but small exterior, however, today’s smart terminals do much more, integrating with your other existing systems to provide the following advantages.
- Database capabilities for storing customer and employee data.
- Inventory management.
- Tools that allow you to improve employee management.
- Accounting tools and integration with third-party bookkeeping software.
- Customer relations tools.
- Reporting and sales forecasting functions.
As you can see, your smart terminal does much more than just allow you to accept payments. But how do you go about choosing the right one for your specific auto repair company?
What to look for in a smart terminal for your auto business.
Once you set out to find the best solution for your body shop or auto repair business, you will quickly realize that many competitors are vying for your business. Position yourself for success by choosing a solution with the following capabilities.
- Offers traffic trend information that lets you give customers accurate wait times and enables you to schedule the right number of staff members to address walk-ins and appointments.
- Allows you to remind customers about necessary upcoming maintenance, as well as enabling them to make appointments online.
- Provides multiple payment options. Flexibility and choice are the names of the game for today’s customers. Use your smart terminal to offer numerous payment options, including over the phone or in person by tapping, swiping, or waving their credit or debit card or smartphone. Additionally, give them the choice to pay from home or on the go by connecting to your website and secure payment gateway or your dedicated mobile app if you have one.
- Creates automated invoices. For people who don’t pay at the appointment, you can send or email an automatically generated invoice thanks to your smart terminal. If the repairs are costly, you can use your smart terminal to set up a recurring billing plan that withdraws a set amount from the customer’s credit card or bank account on a predetermined schedule until the bill is settled.
- Inventory management that keeps track of stock, alerts you when supplies are running low, and tracks historic inventory reports so that you can tailor your next order.
- Employee management. With just a few clicks, you can manage the pay and scheduling of your staff while also keeping track of performance and other sales data. When workers are kept in the loop about their schedules and changes can be made in real time, morale will be higher.
As the owner of an auto repair shop, you know the importance of regular maintenance and upgrades. The same is true when it comes to the equipment that enables you to run your business. Incorporate a modern smart terminal into your systems, and you will soon be humming on all cylinders.
