System Request

Auto Repair Management System

Project Sponsor: Francis Gibbs

Phone: 281-983-0404

Fax : 281-983-9070

8800 W. Sam Houston Pkwy.

Houston, Texas77099

Business Need: This project has been initiated to provide an automated computerized system for an Auto repair/service center –“Quality Mechanics”. The new system will automate the daily processes that are involved at this center and also improve the overall management of data with the use of a web enabled DBMS there by enabling efficiency, increase in sales and customer satisfaction.

Business Requirements:The new web enabled system should include the addition of online access to its customers which allows them to see their service history and also set up appointments online there by saving time to both customer and the service manager. A new database management system is also requested to better manage customer appointments,inventory (auto parts), time sheets of employees, payroll etc.

The functionality of the system is listed below:

  • Send automated service reminders to customers via email.
  • Link inventory database to corporate and local retail store databases and automating the re-ordering of parts when necessary.
  • Link to the NHTSA(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)database for auto recall information.
  • Document customer feedback
  • Study customer demographics/trends

Business Value:This new system is required to better manage and automate our inventory replenishment thereby reducing the number of overstocked parts and also drastically reducing the delays in ordering new parts when we run short of it. We expect to improve our customer satisfaction by 50% as most of our complaints are related to out of stock items. The new web enabled system is required to increase our market share and it gives us a competitive edge over the other centers.

Some of the tangible benefits estimates are as follows:

  • Increase market share by 30%.
  • $4000 yearly reduction in customer service calls as feedbacks are now received online and better documented.
  • 15% percent jump in total monthly sales
  • $60,000 / year savings from the reduction in number of employees needed to manage inventory.

Special Issues/Constraints:

  • The development and implementation of the system should be completed by one year and the present business should not be affected during the developmental phase.
  • Time needed to enter paper based documentation into database.
  • Our existing system is only partly automated and does not have any web based capability.