Organising Repairs...

mil0001

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Hello everyone, been a while since I was last here.

I have a question to ask. How does everyone keep there to-be repaired and repaired computers organised?

Would it consist of just two large storage shelves sectioned off or is it something a bit more precise? I'm guessing this would really depend on your shop/office size?
 
Hello everyone, been a while since I was last here.

I have a question to ask. How does everyone keep there to-be repaired and repaired computers organised?

Would it consist of just two large storage shelves sectioned off or is it something a bit more precise? I'm guessing this would really depend on your shop/office size?

We have 2 dexion shelving units, with sections for jobs to be inspected, on hold, and ready to go.

Tends to get a bit disorganised though when there's an overflow from one status...
 
We use a microsoft access database but it's not all that good and we're looking to change. I'd recommend Robert's program - ShopManager as it looks absolutely awesome (mind you I haven't tested it). I know a few others around the forum are using 'PC Repair Tracker' (mind you I haven't tested this either)

We have three sections in the workshop - one for 'untouched' laptops, one for repaired laptops and one for desktops (there's not enough space for a section for each of these). All hardware/peripherals/chargers,etc are tagged with the 4 digit database number. Laptops are bagged if they didn't arrive in one and the tag is fixed to a label on the outside of the case. All machines are arranged in number order so they're quick to find when a customer comes back for them (we don't want them thinking we don't know where their machine is or worse, have lost it)
 
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Thanks for the quick smart answers guys, this really gives me an insight of what needs to come in the future for the best organisation.
 
I tried designating shelves one time. Trouble was, if we got behind on repairs, or ahead and waiting for people to pickup, or waiting on parts, or the ratio of laptops to desktops changed wildly, one section spilled into another (not enough space to make each section over-sized). You need some kind of easy visual way to determine status in addition to electronic records. A good thing to do anyway is have paperwork in a clear envelope next to each machine so you can see name, number etc. Just add to this index cards or something with 'DONE' or a green sticker or whatever system you want.
 
if we got behind on repairs, or ahead and waiting for people to pickup, or waiting on parts, or the ratio of laptops to desktops changed wildly, one section spilled into another (not enough space to make each section over-sized)

Yeah we have that problem too. Some jobs are a lot quicker than others, and some require parts from the other side of the world
 
Hey guys is there any software thats (offline not on the web) but does same things as pc repair tracker?? Am looking for software that has features like customer info, invoice, computers repaired, parts to order, service records, units parts on hold, unites in shop, employees info etc...
 
I don't have a system like this right now. If I need to devise one I would line them up the order they were received. Attach a sheet to each of them with customer details and symtoms, etc. Then use a color dot sticker to designate its status. red for just came in, yellow for in progress, and green for good to go. the color dot code is placed on the side of the machine so that it is in easy plain view.

what do you think of such setup?
 
Yeah it seems that may the best way to go because you can use as much space as you have and not waste it too much with more shelves and sections in the shelves. Maybe just a plastic pocket on the side of the Computer that had all the paperwork and a visual identification of it's progress and who owns it. Although in a perfect world sectioning off shelves and keeping everything perfectly in order it doesn't always work as most computer shops are small with a constant flow of computers coming in that could clog the system up.

About all the software... Couldn't you just make an Excel spreadsheet for that sort of stuff? Or is it really not feature rich enough?
 
Give this a go, It was used with ms office 2000, not tested it in anything else but I guess it could be up dated and reposted for others to use office 2007/2010.
 
I use a fairly simple access db that I made for work order creation. I enter the information and it prints off a work order with terms of service for the customer to sign. It's not much, but it works. Then I use QBO for my invoicing and expense tracking.

As far as keeping track. I printed out some tags on business card stock, that has lines for passwords, phone number, and name. That way I have a quick reference without a big sloppy bundle of paper getting crinkled up. I then create a folder with the customer's name on it, insert the printed work order and put it in a tray on my desk. Anything that I do for that customer, including notes, research information, RMA forms, etc along with a system report, go in that folder. After teh customer picks the machine up, a copy of the invoice and completion work order go in there and all clipped together then filed. I keep each visit's paperwork clipped together so I can easily find what I need should I ever have to dig up a customer's paperwork.

Honestly, right now I just remember the status of each machine. I have a shelving system that basically has one shelf for completed and one shelf for pending, holding, or whatever else. The ones being worked on are on the bench. I can work on 2 desktops and 2-3 laptops at the same time in my little sardine can.
 
Hey guys is there any software thats (offline not on the web) but does same things as pc repair tracker?? Am looking for software that has features like customer info, invoice, computers repaired, parts to order, service records, units parts on hold, unites in shop, employees info etc...

When we first started developing our in-house job tracker, it was web-based, but we had it running on XAMPP (or WAMP, can't quite remember) on the PC we used to check jobs in. This meant we could access the system from any PC on the network, but didn't have to worry (as much) about security from a WWW perspective.

Of course, if security or hosting weren't your concerns, you can pretty much ignore what I've just said. Carry on. :)
 
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