Categories

Creating Watermark Images for GA3
Watch how easy it is to create a great looking watermark image which can be used in GA3 for printing on documents. For the purpose of this demonstration, we used a free image manipulation programme.

Customise your documents with ease
Customise your documents in GA3 with ease... See how to insert logos, full letter head images, customise text styles and colours and more.

Changing custom field names, such as post code to zip
If you need to make some field name changes due to not being in the uk or for any other reason, you can do this directly in GA2/GA3.

Can I setup individual staff accounts for GA3 (user accounts)
You can define your own user accounts and privileges for use by your staff, this allows you to restrict certain operations and areas of GA3

How or Where can I insert logos or letter heads ?
GA2/GA3 allows you to insert a letter head or left & right logos for use on the documents produced.

Can I network GA3 over the internet ?
Garage Assistant can be networked over the internet, or more precisely from outside of your local network. For this to work you would need to either set up a Virtual Private Network, the links below may help with this..

Changing the VAT Rate in GA2 / GA3
To change the VAT rate you will need to perform the following steps....

Print Setup shows a ? and not a list of printers
If when you run Print Setup, the initial printer select dropdown box only shows a ? and not a list of printers please try the following

Can I import my own customer database into GA2 / GA3
GA3 allows you to import your own customer and vehicle database as long as they are in a common format such as CSV

GA3 Invoice Layout Information
Step 3 of the setup wizard gives you the opportunity to select from different style and layout invoices, we currently have a selection of portrait layouts and a landscape layout with further options for each.

Set up wizard - Software Activation
When you first run Garage Assistant it will be in Demonstration Mode, you will be presented with the following box on the welcome screen allowing you to start in Demo Mode or Enter your Licence information.

Setup Wizard - Company details
This page will allow you to enter your company details, this information will be printed on your documents created within Garage Assistant.

Setup Wizard - Invoice Layout
Set up wizard - Step 3 gives you the opportunity to select from different style and layout invoices, we currently have a selection of portrait layouts and a landscape layout with further options for each.

Setup Wizard - Worksheet Layout
Set up Wizard - Step 4 gives you the opportunity to select from different style and layout for your worksheets, Style 3 is the most flexible allowing more items to be listed, whereas Style 2 is a fixed size.

Setup Wizard - Estimate Layout
Setup Wizard - Step 5 gives you the opportunity to select from different layout for Estimates, we currently have a portrait layout and landscape layout.

Set up wizard - Estimate storage
GA2/3 allows you to choose whether you want estimates to remain on your system after converting to an invoice or if you want them removed.

Setup Wizard - MOT and Labour Rates
This step allows you to configure Garage Assistants Quick MOT prices and set your VAT rate if applicable.

Setup Wizard - Miscellaneous Options

Setup Wizard - Stock Control Settings
If you intend on using stock control and tracking item quantities, GA3 includes an easy to use order management system which generates supplier orders as you create invoices, this helps you keep track of what items you have ordered and what items you are waiting for.

Setup Wizard - Advanced Settings
Because of the way GA3 now resizes to fit any screen width, we have put a limit on the labour and parts description fields to prevent you entering more information than can be printed per line.

Work Description Templates
Work description templates allow you to quickly select from your own templates to save time typing and keep consistency

Terms and Conditions Templates
Some invoices may require you to add special terms and conditions such as changing a vehicles engine with one supplied by the customer.

Mailshot Letter Templates
In Garage Assistant you can edit and create new letters for use with mail shots, and emails, you can also add font styles & colours to make your letters stand out, however using such features may take a while to get used to as they do not follow the conventional method as most word processors.

SMS Message Templates
If you wish to send your customers SMS messages for reminders, or just to let them know their vehicle is ready for collection, you can edit the message which is sent to suit your needs.

Setting up Technicians
If you intend on recording technicians against labour items on your documents for reporting purposes, you will need to set them up first.

Setting up Referrals
If you intend on keeping track of how your customers came to find you you can use this function.

Setting up Departments
If you intend on categorising invoices against particular departments, for instance you could categorise by : Mechanical Recovery Internal

Email Server Settings
Using the inbuilt email system in GA3 does not require any setting up, other than perhaps configuring your firewall to allow Garage Assistant accesss to the internet.

Appointment Bays
You can alter various elements of the Calendar, this section allows you to add as many appointment bays as you require, or rename those pre-set when installing Garage Assistant