Garage Assistant Version Comparison

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Feature comparison between GA3 and our earlier software

The following table outlines a handful of changes in the latest Garage Assistant GA3 in comparison to older versions of our Garage Software, such as Garage Assistant V1 or DeskManager V3

Features
   ADM   GA1 GA2 GA3
General
Cross Platform, Windows and Mac compatible
no
no
no
yes
Can be used on the iPad / iPhone*
no
no
no
yes
Optimised Full Screen Display
no
no
no
yes
Quick Search for Documents, Customers, Vehicles and Appointments
no
no
no
yes
Find Previous Document in Under 2 Seconds
no
yes
yes
yes
SMS Text Messaging System
no
yes
yes
yes
Built in Outgoing Email Facilities
no
no
yes
yes
Built in PDF Generating Facilities
no
no
yes
yes
Ability to Support Multiple Tax Rates on a Single Document
no
no
yes
yes
Create Policy Excess & Tax Only Invoices
no
Basic
yes
yes
Sublet MOT Configurations for Non MOT Centre Use
no
no
yes
yes
Export Invoice Data to Sage (any version)
no
yes
yes
yes
Import Stock / Parts Database (from compatible files)
no
no
yes
yes
Automatic Backups and Daily Prompts
no
no
yes
yes
Automatic Update System (Windows Only)
no
no
yes
yes
Appointments / Diary
 ADM   GA1 GA2 GA3
Advanced Appointment / Diary System with extended data display
no
no
Basic
yes
Display your appointments in 7 day week view
no
no
Basic
yes
Appointments can Include full customer details and vehicle information
no
no
Basic
yes
Create new documents from an appointment, using the details entered
no
no
no
yes
Stock, Inventory Management and Job Database
 ADM   GA1 GA2 GA3
Stock Control / Inventory Management
no
no
yes
yes
Stock Order Management
no
no
yes
yes
Stock Transaction / Usage Reporting  
no
  
no
yes
yes
Shopping cart style stock inventory for ease of use
no
no
no
yes
Percentage Markup for parts pricing
no
no
no
yes
Expense Tracking, Supplier Invoices and Reports
no
no
no
yes
Create your own Categorised Job Database
no
Basic
yes
yes
Shopping cart style Job database for ease of use
no
no
no
yes
Create new documents from the stock screen including your selections
no
no
no
yes
Customers and Vehicles
 ADM   GA1 GA2 GA3
Record and Track Customer Referrals
no
no
yes
yes
Alternative delivery address for customers
no
no
no
yes
Print a delivery note with invoices, including alternate address and map
no
no
no
yes
Quickly locate and view vehicle / customer history
no
no
yes
yes
DVLA VRM Registration Lookup Service
no
no
yes
yes
On screen vehicle history whilst creating new documents
no
no
yes
yes
Vehicle History Between Previous and Private Number Plates
no
no
yes
yes
Ability to Store Images / Documents against a vehicle
no
no
yes
yes
MOT & Service Reminders by Post or Email
no
no
yes
yes
Mass Custom Mailshots with your Own Search Criteria
no
no
yes
yes
Documents and Customisation
 ADM   GA1 GA2 GA3
Ability to rename / customise field labels system wide
no
no
no
yes
Ability to include watermark images and footer images
no
no
no
yes
Customisable Document Status and Colour Coding
no
no
no
yes
Letter Templates for use with Mailings or Emails
3
3
Unlimited
Unlimited
Employees
 ADM   GA1 GA2 GA3
Employee Database
no
no
no
yes
User Defined Security and Access Privileges
no
Preset
yes
yes
Record and Track Technicians Work per Labour Item
no
no
yes
yes

FileMaker Go is required for the iPhone / iPad, this is available from iTunes.
More details on FileMaker Go can be found here

The table above outlines a small selection of changes, not all changes / additions are detailed.
Products used for these comparisons include the following packages by SWS Solutions

  • Auto DeskManager V1.X (ADM)
  • DeskManager V2.x (ADM) - Name Change
  • DeskManager V3.x (ADM)
  • Garage Assistant V1.x (GA1) - Name Change
  • Garage Assistant V2.x (GA2)
  • Garage Assistant V3.x (GA3)