As a workshop service manager, your role is the beating heart of dealership operations. When sales are slow, it’s your workshop that keeps the revenue flowing. You juggle retail customers, warranty work, sales prep, and—crucially—fleet contracts.
Retail customers may be your day-to-day bread and butter, but fleet service contracts are the backbone of consistent, predictable workshop income. A solid fleet relationship means loyal, repeat work, smoother scheduling, and fewer empty bays. But maintaining these contracts requires one thing above all: a system that ensures transparency, speed, and efficiency from booking to billing.
That’s where the ForWare Fleet System steps in.
Fleet work often starts with a booking—but how that booking is made can vary. The fleet manager might arrange it, the driver could call directly, or it might even be triggered automatically by vehicle telematics.
ForWare’s latest update takes this to the next level:
– The system sends an SMS or email directly to the driver when service is due.
– The customer can pick a slot that works for them and fits your workshop schedule.
– If the SLA promises a courtesy car, ForWare now automatically checks availability and flags any requirements (like a like-for-like 7-seater) right at the booking stage.
This doesn’t just help the customer—it helps the fleet manager look good, and it helps your workshop avoid last-minute chaos.
If a vehicle’s last service was done outside your dealership, you could spend time chasing ghosts. With ForWare’s Centralised Fleet History, you instantly see:
New this year: When you book a repair, ForWare now automatically checks for any upcoming services within the next 30 days and suggests combining the work—reducing fleet downtime and freeing up your workshop schedule.
One of the most common (and frustrating) problems in fleet servicing is poor or outdated customer information. ForWare solves this by syncing directly with fleet managers’ approved records, meaning:
This accuracy is more than a convenience—it’s a customer service lifesaver. No more awkward moments where the driver turns up expecting a car you didn’t know they needed.
In many workshops, the technician is slowed down by clunky systems—typing VINs with latex gloves, juggling multiple devices for videos, or switching between platforms. It’s an invitation for mistakes to occur.
ForWare removes the friction:
– No need to switch devices; videos can be paused and resumed without restarting.
– Reduces manual typing and errors.
– Speeds up job card creation.
The result? Less time on admin, more time on the vehicle, and a faster turnaround for your customers.
Traditionally, waiting for authorisation can grind progress to a halt. ForWare’s Direct-to-Fleet Authorisation process sends all required details (including video evidence, part numbers, and labour codes) straight to the fleet manager’s screen.
New enhancement: Authorisations can now be approved via mobile app notifications—meaning no more “We’ll call you back” delays. Most approvals happen within minutes, not hours.
Fleet managers want proof that work is authorised before it’s done—and you want to avoid disputes that could cost you a contract. With ForWare, every authorisation is logged, timestamped, and linked to the VHC and video evidence.
When quarterly reviews roll around, there’s no “he said, she said”—just clear, auditable records.
Unlike systems that force you to adjust your processes, ForWare adapts to your workflow. Everything is in one platform: billing, authorisation, service history, customer data, VHC, video capture, SLA management, and fleet communication.
That’s why ForWare is a system trusted by mission-critical fleets like police, ambulance, and emergency services for over 14 years—and why the latest updates make it even better at keeping your workshop running at full speed.
Bottom line: A well-run workshop is about more than good technicians—it’s about having a fleet system that removes bottlenecks, prevents errors, and keeps both the customer and the fleet manager happy. With ForWare’s fleet system, you get exactly that.
Alan is a positive and proactive automotive professional with over 25 years of extensive experience in the motor trade.
Alan has been vital in developing and driving the ForWare System and implementing core workshop processes with some of the most significant state and private fleets in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Schedule a FREE consultation today to see how we can make life easier for all involved—you, your colleagues, your customers and your fleet.
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