Shop Management Software - who is the best

When it comes to Shop Management Software, I might be a little biased, but I will try to approach this from the shop owners position and compare the top ones side by side.  Since I believe that our product, Shop Boss Pro is the best, I will include it along with Mitchell, MaxxTraxx.

First, the system requirements.  What kind of computer do you need to run these different systems.

Mitchell Manager Plus - Microsoft® Vista (32 bit), Windows XP, Windows 2000 SP2, Windows NT 4.0 SP6, Windows ME, Windows 98 SE Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 * Pentium processor or higher 128 MB of RAM (256 MB recommended) * 15" monitor with an SVGA of 1024 x 768 resolution with 256 colors * Inkjet or Laser Printer * High-speed connection (DSL, Cable, or T1))

Gulp!  Ok, thats alot to figure out.  How about...

MaxxTraxx - We recommend you have a computer running Microsoft XP or newer, a 2500 MHz processor (CPU), 3 GB memory (RAM), 80 GB hard drive, Super VGA or LCD flat screen monitor with minimum 1024 x 768 resolution, and a broadband (DSL or cable) Internet connection. MaxxTraxx Pro CE will run on a computer with 2 GB of memory, however, the performance will be noticeably slower.

Ok, that one is just as tough.  How about...
Shop Boss Pro - Any PC or Mac/Apple.  Even an IPad. 
Well, that makes it easier.  Shop Boss Pro works on anything with a browser.  It will work with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera and even Konqueror.  If you can view it on the internet and have at least a 7 inch screen, you can use Shop Boss Pro.

Ok, so what about features.  We'll skip the boring stuff (like customers, vehicles, etc because they all do that).  Let's look at productivity and helpful features like that.

Marketing
MaxxTraxx - reminders to send thank you cards.
Mitchell - unfortunately, their material says nothing about follow up
Shop Boss Pro - Automatically sends out emails at 5 days after service, 30 days after service  and 90 days after service.  You don't have to do a thing!  Plus, you can customize it any way you want.

Customer Confidence
Ok this is one is all Shop Boss.  With Shop Boss you can send out a text message or email with an update on the repairs.  The customer can click a link and view their repair order online!  Instantly!  Shop Boss will also let you attach photos to the repair order and the customer can view those online too!  Let's see the big boys tell you about that feature in their programs.

Ease of Use
While this is very subjective, I recommend you compare the ease of use with Shop Boss compared to any other program out there.  Most of the programs look like they were designed about 20 years ago.  And in some cases that's true.  Shop Boss is current, using the latest technology to deliver the smoothest operating Shop Management Software on the market.

Price
Sorry, but in this one, Shop Boss wins again.  Does any other program offer a free version for smaller shops?  Hmm.  What about paying less if you have a bad month?  Hmmmm.  Shop Boss does all of that.  You dont have to pay one flat price no matter how much you use it.  So how about real numbers.

Mitchell Manager Plus - $175.00 per month without Ondemand5 (for repair and estimating)
MaxxTraxx - $119.00 per month plus $9.00 for every computer you want to run it on.
Shop Boss Pro - Our pricing is based on your production.  Take a look below.

0-10 Repair Orders in a calendar month - $0.00.  That's right, its free.
11-30 Repair Order in a calendar month - $29.95.
31-55 Repair Orders in a calendar month - $69.95.
56 or more Repair Orders in a calendar month - $99.95

How can we offer a product that is easier to use and costs less?  Simple.  Our product runs on the internet, not on your computer.  So we dont have to send out thousands of CD's every time we want to update, we just do it.  And lets not forget backup.  MaxxTraxx offers monthly backup for your server for an additional $12-$46 dollars per month.  Pshaw.  Shop Boss Pro backs up your data everyday at no charge.  If they are going to offer a complete solution, they should start right here.

Well, I suppose I didn't stay very objective in this one, so don't take my word for it.  Try them out and see which one best suits you.  You can try ours out by clicking here - www.shopbosspro.com.  For the others, you'll have to wait for them to allow you to download and install and then hope it all works.

Good Luck and keep the wheels spinning!

Chris Boshaw is the owner of Boss Software, the makers of Shop Boss Pro, one of the first web-based Shop Management Systems. To do their part, Boss Software offers a low-cost version of their program for small shops and prices the software to help keep a shop in business.