Consaul Auto Care, a trusted auto repair shop in Albany, NY, has seen remarkable improvements in operational efficiency and customer service since adopting the GEM-CAR’s business management solution. Co-owners Deborah Blacklock and Charles Eglin, who have been serving Albany drivers for over 37 years, transitioned from Mitchell1 Manager SE to GEM-CAR and have no regrets. This comprehensive business management solution has helped them streamline operations, from customer management and inventory control to financial management and digital inspections.

This article explores how Consaul Auto Care’s decision to implement GEM-CAR has enhanced their daily functions and allowed them to provide better service to their valued customers.

Deborah (Deb) Blacklock began her career at Consaul Auto Care in 1987, followed by Chuck Eglin in 1994. The duo purchased the business in 2003, leveraging their combined expertise to create a reliable and customer-focused auto repair shop. With a small, dedicated team— Bill and Chuck in the workshop, Deb and Chuck at the counter —they have been providing high-quality repair services to the Albany community for decades.

The decision to adopt GEM-CAR reflects the shop’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in a constantly evolving automotive industry.

Before switching to GEM-CAR, Consaul Auto Care relied on Mitchell1 Manager SE for its business operations. While the previous software supported the shop for several years, it was not without its limitations.

The team at Consaul Auto Care found it cumbersome in certain aspects, such as digital inspections, accounting, and overall user experience.

The need for a more integrated and flexible solution was apparent as they sought to improve both the customer experience and internal operations allowing them to increase their labor rate to $206.81 / hr.

GEM-CAR, a comprehensive business management solution tailored to the automotive industry, provided Consaul Auto Care with the tools they needed to address these challenges.

"GEM-CAR's digital inspections have been a game-changer. They allow us to give our customers a clear and detailed overview of the necessary repairs, building trust and transparency."

This functionality has been essential in developing strong customer relationships, leading to greater customer satisfaction and retention.

« Les inspections numériques de GEM-CAR ont été une révolution. Elles nous permettent de donner à nos clients une vue claire et détaillée des réparations nécessaires, ce qui renforce la confiance et la transparence. »

Cette fonctionnalité a été essentielle pour développer des relations solides avec les clients, menant à une satisfaction et une fidélité accrues.

For Deb, the switch to GEM-CAR significantly simplified accounting processes and enhanced financial management.

"The solution has also simplified the accounting process, making it easier to track income and expenses. The invoicing feature is efficient and user-friendly, helping us improve our cash flow and overall financial management," Deb explains.

The integration of accounting tools has streamlined their workflow, allowing them to focus more on delivering quality service than on administrative tasks.

Managing inventory has been made more efficient with GEM-CAR's integrated tools. The solution tracks parts and supplies in real-time, ensuring the shop stays ahead in terms of stock availability and ordering. This reduces downtime and ensures that customers’ vehicles are serviced quickly and efficiently.

Since adopting GEM-CAR, Consaul Auto Care has seen multiple benefits that directly impact their bottom line and customer satisfaction:

• Increased Efficiency

  By streamlining workflows such as digital inspections, invoicing, and inventory management, the shop has improved overall efficiency, reducing the time spent on administrative tasks.

• Meilleure communication avec les clients

  The transparency afforded by digital inspections builds trust and fosters a higher level of customer satisfaction. Customers feel more confident in the recommended repairs and services.

• Better Financial Tracking

  GEM-CAR’s integrated financial tools simplify accounting, invoicing, and cash flow management, reducing errors and improving overall financial health.

While GEM-CAR has proven to be a significant improvement over their previous system, Deb and Chuck acknowledge there is always room for improvement. “We would like to see more customization options for the digital inspections, allowing us to tailor them to our specific needs," says Deborah. They also hope to see enhancements to the reports in the accounting module align better with their unique business requirements.

Consaul Auto Care’s successful adoption of GEM-CAR has solidified its position as a trusted auto repair shop in Albany. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Deb and Chuck can provide better service to their customers while improving operational efficiency. While some opportunities for improvement remain, the overall impact of GEM-CAR has been overwhelmingly positive.

As the automotive industry continues to evolve, Consaul Auto Care remains committed to staying ahead by using innovative solutions like GEM-CAR to deliver high-quality service and maintain customer loyalty.

• Shop Management : GEM-CAR**
• Version : V15 (solution SaaS)
• Established: 2001
• Location: 48 countries worldwide
• Utilisateurs : 46 000+
• Implementation Team : Keeshan (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
• Website : www.gem-car-cloud.com