Dowell Systems, Creator of Real-Time Labor Guide, Rolls Out New and Enhanced Website

TAMPA, Fla., April 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/

Dowell Systems, Inc., developer of revolutionary Web-Based and CD-Based Estimating Software for the ever-changing Automotive and Truck Repair Industry for over 20 years, has recently completed the roll-out of its newly enhanced website, www.laborguide.net .

The new website, with fresh colors, a bright appearance and an easy-to-navigate layout offers enhanced explanations of the company’s numerous software solutions in a spacious and mobile friendly design.  Auto repair shop owners, managers, mechanics and techs will be impressed with the side-by-side comparisons of all available features. They can also view multiple screen shots which give examples of the Real-Time Labor Guide, Real Time Pro and Automotive Expert services.

Although the last website refresh wasn’t that long ago, this update was a necessary task according to Brian Sewall, Director of Operations. “It’s important to keep up with new technologies, especially when those technologies can improve the customer’s experience and better fulfill their needs on the devices they use.” The new website will help users easily find information and decide which estimating software solution will work best for their business by clearly defining the differences between them. Users will also easily find answers to common questions and can request a truly no obligation free-trial of any of their offerings.

This website update is just the latest in a string of improvements and new services released by Dowell Systems over the last 5 years. These include a full re-branding in 2012, a SaaS version of their popular Real-Time Labor Guide released in 2013, and a brand new SaaS product called Real-Time Pro released in 2015. “Our abilities and our customer’s expectations are much different today than they were when we launched in 1989. We continue to evolve and grow with the times to better service our loyal customers.”, says Jennifer Martin, Vice President. Customers can expect more releases to come in the form of improved desktop (CD) versions for Real-Time Labor Guide and Automotive Expert as well as a SaaS version of Automotive Expert.

Offering easy-to-use estimating solutions and growing their massivelabor time database while maintaining an affordable price was the vision of their founder Vern Dowell. These easy-to-use programs aim to make automotive repair shops MORE MONEY in LESS TIME by providing them with the most up-to-date labor times and tools with a user-friendly experience.  Dowell Systems’ customers have repeatedly reported that they spend less time at the desk and more time improving their businesses with the help of these simple, yet powerful products.

You can check out the new website and stay informed of company news by visiting www.laborguide.net.

About Dowell Systems, Inc.
Dowell Systems, Inc. is a software development company providing the automotive repair industry with simple, accurate, and cost-effective estimating and shop management tools since 1989. For more information on Dowell Systems products or services or to request a free trial of the Real-Time Labor Guide, Real Time Pro or Automotive Expert, call (800) 487-0249 or visit http://www.laborguide.net.

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Dowell Systems Teams With Carfax To Enhance Real-Time Labor Guide

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Dowell Systems, Inc., developer of revolutionary software for the auto repair industry for over 20 years, has integrated Carfax® QuickVIN^™ into the new web-based version of its most popular software, Real-Time Labor Guide®. The integration is part of a new partnership between Dowell Systems and Carfax. Users of the new Real-Time Labor Guide online system now can quickly and easily retrieve the year/make/model and engine information from the Carfax database by entering only the license plate information or by entering the full vehicle identification number (VIN) of their customers’ vehicles.

“I was already very impressed with the new Real-Time Labor Guide online, and with the added benefits of Carfax QuickVIN – at no additional charge – I’m thrilled,” said Susan Deegan, co-owner of Engine Lab of Tampa, Inc. “I save time checking vehicles in, avoid errors by ordering the correct parts the first time, and I get to advertise my shop on Carfax Reports.  I finally feel like I’m able to compete with the big boys.”

Carfax QuickVIN is one of the many no-cost benefits enjoyed by more than 27,000 service locations and software providers, including Dowell Systems. Carfax QuickVIN helps Real-Time Labor Guide users eliminate the risk of costly data entry errors and ensure they order properly-fitting parts.

“When Dowell Systems was founded in 1989, our founder Vern Dowell – a former independent shop owner himself – had a vision to help his peers,” said Brian Sewall, director of operations at Dowell Systems, Inc. “He did that by providing his customers with software that allowed them to create accurate, consistent and professional tickets which inspired their customer’s trust and confidence. The new Real-Time Labor Guide online with Carfax QuickVIN advances that goal and helps us revolutionize the industry – again. We are pleased to partner with Carfax and bring auto repair professionals the Carfax QuickVIN service to help make their job a bit easier.”

Real-Time Labor Guide customers that are members of the Carfax Service Network have access to the Carfax QuickVIN tool. As an added benefit, Carfax Service Network members also are automatically enrolled in the Carfax Service Loyalty Program. One element of the program features participating shops in the new myCarfax app when car owners are looking for local shops to have their vehicle serviced or repaired.

About Dowell Systems, Inc.
Dowell Systems, Inc. is a software development company providing the automotive repair industry with simple, accurate, and cost-effective estimating and shop management tools since 1989. For more information on Dowell Systems products or services, or to request a free trial of the Real-Time Labor Guide® or Automotive Expert®, automotive professionals may call (800) 487-0249 or visit http://www.laborguide.net.

About Carfax (www.carfax.com)
Carfax is the vehicle history expert for used car buyers, sellers and the automotive industry. Carfax created the Vehicle History Report in 1986 and maintains the largest vehicle history database ever assembled, comprising over 11 billion vehicle records from more than 75,000 sources across North America. A Carfax® Vehicle History Report™, the most trusted resource for vehicle history information, is an essential step in the used car buying process. To become a Carfax Service Network Member or learn more about the Network, visit www.carfaxservicenetwork.com or call 888-655-5362. Carfax was recently acquired by IHS Inc. (NYSE:IHS).

Auto Repair Shops – The Story

 

Running an Auto Repair shop isn’t easy.

Everyone asks for your expert opinion but no one wants to hear it.  They argue with you, telling you what the problem is and how to fix it like they are the ones with all the certifications and all the years of experience.

Or, they want your diagnosis and estimate only to take it to the guy up the street to see if he agrees and can beat your price. And every day, there is a news report or an article that tells your potential customers this “comparison shopping” is the way a smart consumer saves money.

All the while – no one sees how much KNOWLEDGE & WORK it takes for you to perform a proper diagnosis and to create that estimate.

These “tire kickers” drain the day by generating lots of promise but no revenue, eating up your time.

We know many shops who now charge for an estimate to get rid of some these shoppers.  For some shops that works great, but sometimes the small independent guy finds that the policy drives away solid potential customers as well – throwing out the “baby with the bath water” so to speak.

And then it gets worse.

With fewer customers coming through the door, you now have to cut your rates to get new business.  You’ve now you set yourself up to do more work but make less money.  That’s no fun – and that’s certainly not a good way to do business.

By cutting your rates and shrinking the profit margin on each job you take, you soon realize that a low labor time from your preferred guide will result in you making NO money – or worse – for all your hard work. And if your labor guide doesn’t take the complexities of your customers and your shop into consideration when offering their labor times then they can end up doing more harm than good.

If you’ve ever been burned by your labor guide, you know the feeling.  You also know the feeling of frustration if your “resource” doesn’t cover the vehicle that your customer brought into the shop.

This isn’t what you expected or planned for.  This isn’t how you thought things would be.

We understand that you didn’t open this shop expecting to get super rich.  You opened this shop because it’s your passion – you love turning wrenches and you love helping people.  You thrive on being relied upon to solve a problem that your customers can’t fix themselves.

So what’s our point?

Our passion is making it easier for you to run an efficient, profitable shop by helping you quickly create professional estimates.  We can be your second opinion so the customer doesn’t have to take your estimate to the guy up the street.

We want to help you create your own standard and never get burned on a job again.  We want to help you display a professional image to your customers, and make sure you always have a resource for vehicles your customers bring you.

No matter how big a fan you are of your current labor guide, it is the smart businessman that has a second source.

Since you are not already one of the thousands of shops nationwide who have tried the new Real-Time Labor Guide Online, we would like to personally extend you an offer to take us for a FREE test drive for 14 days and see for yourself.

Visit us at www.autolaborexpert.com to get started today!

Real-Time Labor Guide Online Sneak Peak!

Real-Time Labor Guide Online Sneak Peak!

The new online version of the Real-Time Labor Guide will be released shortly. Once the product is released you will all have the opportunity to try the new program for free until April 1, 2013. Click on the link above to view the full sneak peak email.

A benefit of making our new product available online is giving our customers the ability to log in to their account and use our software from any computer with an Internet connection and a browser. This means you can access an account from your back office to help the customer on the phone, from your front counter to help the customer in the shop, on your laptop to show one of your technicians in the bay, or if you’re really dedicated, from your tablet while on vacation at the beach.

Another major benefit of the Real-Time Labor Guide Online is we have the ability to seamlessly update as often as possible (monthly, weekly, daily even) without the hassle of sending out a CD, or having you download new files. This ensures you always have the most up to date information with the newest features available.

How much is the new online version? After the free trial period has expired, The Real-Time Labor Guide Online has a monthly subscription cost of only $10 per month per user. That is less than the current annual update for the Real-Time Labor Guide ($128.00).You can add additional users to your account at any time, and you may cancel your subscription at any time (your account will remain active for the remainder of your paid subscription period).

How do I pay for the new Real-Time Labor Guide Online once my free trial has expired? You may setup your automatically recurring payment in the Billing section of your account. Currently, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. We also provide a choice for your automatic subscription payment; monthly, quarterly, or annual payment options are available (customers who select the quarterly or annual payment option will receive a discount).

Stay tuned for more information & a release date for the

Real-Time Labor Guide Online!

 

Five Dos and Don’ts When Dealing With An Auto Mechanic – Forbes.com

I recently read an article on Forbes.com which touched on how proper communication between customers and auto mechanics can ensure quality repairs and extend the life of your car.  It also discusses the importance of not delaying routine car maintenance and small repairs to save a few bucks, as it can come back to haunt you by compromising the safety of the vehicle and/or  leading to major repairs later.

Jim Gorzelany, writer of the article, goes further to say, “But making the decision to bring in a car for service is only half the battle. To get the most for their maintenance and repair dollars consumers need to know how to best deal with an automotive technician so that a trip to the shop won’t ultimately turn sour.”

I think anyone who owns or runs a repair shop should print this out and post it on their counter for all customers to read. And put several in the waiting area in case they didn’t finish reading it while standing at the counter. And maybe hand it out to customers as they walk in. OK that last one may be too much…but you get the idea.

One additional thing I would suggest to customers is to keep a small notebook in the car to log issues as they happen (or soon after, like when they are done driving).  The worst thing is trying to describe the issue and forgetting important details.

Real-Time Labor Guide® is excited to announce its newly designed website and company logo!

As part of a corporate rebranding initiative and renewed focus on its core product, Dowell Systems, Inc. has updated its look.

 

Tampa, FL – Dowell Systems, Inc. was established in 1989, and with their 25^th anniversary fast approaching they felt it was time for a renewed focus on their core product, Real-Time Labor Guide.  With the entire team currently in full development mode, customers should begin to see some very exciting changes and updates in the coming months.

In parallel with the latest programming developments, Dowell Systems felt it was time to refresh their logo and reposition their brand.  Those visiting www.laborguide.net will experience that new logo design along with more contemporary and intuitive navigation and new, more relevant content.  In addition, Real-Time Labor Guide® is embracing social media to give customers and visitors an opportunity to engage, communicate and network through new outlets including Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/laborguide), LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/company/dowell-systems-inc-), and via blog, https://laborguide.wordpress.com/.  These social media channels will allow Real-Time Labor Guide to establish relationships and converse with customers in new ways, while continuing to develop cutting edge solutions for automotive repair professionals.

So what does the new logo represent?  “We used the major element from the previous design – the arrow – and added pieces that better represent what we are to our customers,” said Al Vega, Technical Specialist at Dowell Systems.  “The wrench on the left side shows that our customers can rely on us as one of their favorite tools, and the clock tells the customer about our highest priority – accurate labor times.”

Stay tuned for further developments!

Dowell Systems, Inc. is a software development company providing the automotive repair industry with simple, accurate, and cost-effective estimating and shop management tools since 1989. For more information on Dowell Systems products or services, or to request a free trial of Real-Time Labor Guide® or Automotive Expert®, automotive professionals may call              (800) 487-0249 or visit http://www.laborguide.net.

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Recent Survey by Dowell Systems, Inc. Uncovers Technology Shift for Independent Automotive Repair Shops

Dowell Systems, Inc. Targets Over 15,000 Automotive Repair Professionals Whose Responses Show the Movement Toward Web-based Automotive Repair Tools is Well Underway.

Tampa, FL– When you hear the word “mechanic”, what comes to mind? There is a long-standing, old stereotype of a man with greasy hands and clothes, giving you a hand-written estimate on smudged paper, while standing in a waiting room with a 15″ black-and-white television. The only tools available were all sitting in the large, red, rolling tool box in the corner.

The latest survey from Dowell Systems, Inc. – which targeted over 15,000 automotive repair shops – shows that this perception is quite outdated. In fact, since the majority of vehicles released in the last 15 years are equipped in one form or another with computer components, the new standard requires technicians to be quite comfortable and talented when working with the latest technologies. To stay relevant in the industry and attract that talent, shop owners are understanding the need to equip their professionals with the latest web-based automotive repair tools. According to the survey, the average automotive repair business now has 6 pc’s for their shop, with 79 percent sporting high-speed internet to provide access to the latest web-based applications. While mechanics still need and use giant rolling tool boxes the need for new technology tools grows daily.

Not only are these businesses preparing for the next generation of automotive repair technology, they are desperately craving it. According to the survey nearly 73 percent of respondents would be interested in being an early adopter for the latest web-based application from Dowell Systems for automotive repair professionals. Additionally, over 50 percent would be interested or very interested in utilizing the application on a tablet pc (such as iPad) or a smart phone (such as iPhone or Android powered device).

Dowell System has been following this trend since the 1980’s, when they developed and released their labor estimating software, Real-Time Labor Guide®. Steve Cunha, Manager at Dowell Systems believes leaders in the automotive repair industry know they can be more efficient and more profitable by adopting the latest technologies, which prompted the recent survey. “With the responses we received, it is clear to us that web-based tools which are accessible from a variety of portable platforms are in demand,” Steve says.

Individual responses from the survey appear to confirm the demand that Dowell Systems has identified. “I think the possibility of an online service with quicker updates and services is a very good adaptation to the quick paced world of automotive services,” commented Matthew Bachorski, owner of Pitbull Customs in Yale, MI. “I look forward to trying such a product.”

One of the most surprising results from the survey was not the 73 percent of respondents requesting such a tool, but the variety of reasons for the request. From ease of use, to the ability to access the application from any computer with an Internet Browser, to frequent updates for the most reliable information, the reasons were quite varied. In the end Andy Tramper, owner of A.T. Auto Repair LLC in Grand Rapids, MI sums it up best with this description of the technology tool he is looking for: “…the most cost effective and simplest to use programs on the market to get the most profit.”

No matter the reason it is evident that there is much demand for the development of these new tools. These days, everything moves fast and the needs of automotive professionals are many and varied. The philosophy for any good technology company, including Dowell Systems, should be to listen to the needs and wants of their customers, and with that input as guidance develop a product with the latest, most dependable and reliable technology available.

Shop owners and automotive technicians are not a shy group. They are eagerly awaiting their next favorite tool.

Dowell Systems, Inc. is a software development company providing the automotive repair industry with simple, accurate, and cost-effective estimating and shop management tools since 1989. For more information on Dowell Systems products or services, or to request a free trial of Real-Time Labor Guide® or Automotive Expert®, automotive professionals may call              (800) 487-0249 or visit http://www.laborguide.net.

Dowell Systems Awards Grand Prize to Zack’s Towing & Auto Care

Random drawing from customer survey responses yields top prize to independent towing and automotive repair company from Jonesville, NC.

Tampa, FL November 11, 2011 –If you had a choice between a free iPad2 or $500, which would you choose?

Beginning late September of 2011, Dowell Systems, Inc. sent out over 15,000 surveys to automotive repair shops throughout the United States.  Our goal was to determine the current needs and concerns of the automotive repair industry when it comes to the latest technology tools.

As an enticement, one respondent would be selected at random to receive their choice of a free iPad2 or $500.  “We had competing ideas,” said Brian Sewall, Director of Operations for Dowell Systems, Inc.  “This is a survey about technology, so do we offer a great piece of technology as a prize, or would cash be more appreciated in these economic times?”  In the end, a simple compromise was reached – the winner would choose the prize.

After almost 1,000 responses spanning 5 weeks, Terry and Donna from Zack’s Towing & Auto Care from Jonesville, NC were chosen at random to be the winner of the Grand Prize.  So what did they choose?

“We thought about taking the $500,” said Donna, “but then thought we could find a lot of uses for the iPad around the shop.”  So, after much internal debate around Zack’s Towing, they chose technology as their prize.  On November 10, 2011, a brand new iPad2 was headed their way.

“I am sincerely excited about this. Thank you!” was the reply from Terry.  It’s our pleasure Terry – we are the ones who are thankful to all the respondents who took the time to complete the survey.

Dowell Systems, Inc. is a software development company providing the automotive repair industry with simple, accurate, and cost-effective estimating and shop management tools since 1989. For more information on Dowell Systems products or services, or to request a free trial of Real-Time Labor Guide® or Automotive Expert®, automotive professionals may call              (800) 487-0249 or visit http://www.laborguide.net.