Running an auto repair shop or working as a mobile mechanic involves handling a variety of tasks, including estimates, invoices, payments, appointments, and inspections. ARI (Auto Repair Software)’s newest update adds several features designed to make these everyday processes easier and faster. Here’s a look at what’s new and how these tools can improve efficiency in your business.
Quick Filter for Faster Searches
The new Quick Filter makes it much easier to find what you’re looking for in your invoices, estimates, job cards, payments, or inspection menus. Instead of scrolling through long lists, you can limit results instantly to a specific time range. The feature has pre-set options such as “last week” or “last month,” but you can also enter your custom range of dates.
This is convenient to save time if you need to quickly view recent payments or check estimates for a given period, helping stores to operate more efficiently and keep a better track of daily activity.
Custom Services in AI Labor Guides
ARI’s AI Labor Guides can now perform custom services. That is, you don’t need to restrict yourself to pre-programmed tasks—you can design your own. To begin with, you select the vehicle, specify the service, break down the labor, and then click “Get parts & labor.”
It generates an estimate of labor time and related parts that can then be used to generate quotes or invoices. This can make it simpler to work with one-of-a-kind repair requests or specialty services without having to perform all of the calculations manually.
iOS and Android Plugin Update
For mechanics who rely on ARI’s mobile app, there is now an update to the iOS and Android plugins. This release fixes several bugs and improves how emails and notifications are sent from the mobile version of the app.
Mobile mechanics, in particular, can benefit from this change, as it reduces communication issues and makes staying connected with customers more reliable while working outside the shop.
Appointments and Online Booking Improvements
The appointments page in ARI has also been entirely redesigned with a neater layout, enhanced navigation, and re-engineered action buttons. This makes it easier to schedule and manage appointments for shop staff.
The booking page itself has also been improved. It is easier to configure, with all the customization options—all the way from changing contact information to adding a page name—in one place. Customers enjoy an easier booking experience, and shops enjoy a better system for keeping track of work that’s booked in.
There is also a completely redesigned online appointment page that provides improved inputs for providing information, editing appointments, and reminding clients. These improvements mean less time in managing appointments and fewer missed or confused appointments.
Service Reminder Sticker Options
Service reminders have long been an important way of promoting the return of customers for service regularly. ARI now allows shops to resize stickers, show or conceal the QR code, and include a logo.
These functionalities give shops greater flexibility to design stickers that fit their branding and customer needs. For example, a larger sticker will be more visible on a client’s car, whereas a smaller one will be less intrusive. The QR code can make it easier to access booking links or shop details, but be hidden where not needed.
Why These Updates Matter
All these releases focus on streamlining daily shop operations:
- Quick Filter speeds up searching for records.
- Mobile plugin updates improve reliability on the move.
- Appointment and booking improvements ease scheduling and make it more convenient.
- Service reminder sticker choices give shops more control over communicating with customers.
- Together, these features help auto repair shops save time, avoid errors, and improve the way they interact with customers—all within one auto repair computer system.
Conclusion
Managing an auto repair shop or mobile service requires efficiency, and ARI’s latest update delivers tools that support that goal. From faster filtering and flexible labor guides to improved booking pages and customizable service reminders, these features reduce the effort needed for daily tasks. By making processes smoother, this update helps auto repair businesses focus more on the work that matters most—serving their customers.
