‘Shark Tank’ investor Robert Herjavec: 7 simple steps to protect yourself from hackers

It’s tempting to deal with the threat of a hacker stealing your digital data by simply hoping, or assuming, it will never happen to you.

“People assume that they’re exempt from the risks of cybersecurity,” Robert Herjavec, founder and CEO of cybersecurity firm Herjavec Group, and a star of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” tells CNBC.

“Similarly, businesses assume it will never happen to them,” says Herjavec. “It will! Cybersecurity risk is everywhere and no matter the size of your business the data you process and ingest can be exploited for financial gain.”

Malicious or “black hat” hackers steal and then sell information.

“Not to be morbid, but we are all targets,” says Herjavec. “Today’s hackers are after information which they are using as a weapon for political and financial gain. It can be identity information, corporate IP secrets, passwords, payment information — no matter what it is, they’re either putting it up for sale on the deep dark web, holding files for ransom or leveraging the data to influence markets, politics and business.”

“BUSINESSES ASSUME IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO THEM. IT WILL! CYBERSECURITY RISK IS EVERYWHERE.”-Robert Herjavec, founder and CEO of the Herjavec Group

What You’ll Need:

• Hair Dryer
• Spray bottle
• Water
• Safety pin
• Firm plastic card (like a credit card or shoppers card)

A lot of car enthusiasts like to have window tint applied to their windows as an aftermarket addition. A typical issue that many have is bubbling as air gets trapped under the film when it’s applied. It seems impossible to remove them unless you remove the tint itself and start from scratch, hoping to get a better application. However, with a few simple items and some time, you can remove the pockets of air trapped in your car window tint without starting over.
Step 1 – Pick a Sunny Day
In order to be able to work on the car window tint easily and without potentially damaging it, it is important to make the adhesive pliable. Pick a day when there will be a lot of sun with temperatures in at least the mid 70s Fahrenheit. Move your car to an area that gets a lot of sun and let it sit outside for at least two hours. This will allow the adhesive to weaken enough so that you can play around with it. You could use a hair dryer if you cannot find a suitable location or enough sun.
Step 2 – Loosen the Adhesive
A car drenched in sun helps to make the tint film easier to move and replace without losing the sticking quality of the adhesive. However, you will still need the adhesive to weaken its grip a little more. To do this, you want to moisten the car window tint using the fine mist setting on a spray bottle. You do not want to soak the window tint. The cold from the water will interact with the heat from the sun to make the adhesive on the car window tint very malleable.
Step 3 – Attacking the Air Bubbles
Using the safety pin; go to each air bubble and pop it. Make a hole that is very small and do not tear the car window tint. A quick poke through the film at a very straight line will do the trick. Sometimes you will have clusters of air bubbles. In these circumstances you want to pop each bubble. It is possible that the car window tint will dry prior to you finishing, so if this is the case, just moisten the tint again and continue.
Step 4 – Removing the Air Bubbles
The tiny holes serve as a way for the air that is trapped to escape. Because they are so small, when you remove the pockets of air, the car window tint will effectively close these holes. You want to smooth the car window tint out in order to push the air from it. Slide a stiff piece of plastic held at a 45-degree angle over the bubbles with medium pressure and long, smooth, slow strokes. Too much pressure could tear the car window tint so be careful. Moisten the tint as needed but remember to not drench it.

 

Sources-

http://automotive.repair/2016/12/how-to-get-the-bubbles-out-of-car-window-tint/

 http://www.doityourself.com/stry/removecardents

If you own a car or home, it’s pretty likely that you’ve dealt closely with gasoline. Whether you’ve had a spill while fueling up your car at a station or while preparing to mow your lawn, you know how intoxicating the stench of gas can be. When soaked into fabrics such as car upholstery or clothing, the smell can be not only overpowering, but also dangerous.

When simple soap and water doesn’t remove the scent of gasoline, don’t give up and allow yourself to breathe in lingering fumes. Try these simple tricks to remove the odor completely. Each of these solutions is as effective as the others, however you will have to decide which will be best for you depending on the area of the odor as well as your preference in cleaning supplies and products.

Removing Smell from Your Body

If you were recently working with gasoline, you could have residual odor left on you. If the gas smell is on your body, no amount of conditioning a room will help if you’re still standing in it. Luckily you can remove the odor pretty easily so that your friends and family don’t suffer from your smell

Once you have rubbed and washed it off with a rag you will want to take a shower. This will allow you to get the smell of lemon, vinegar or vanilla off of you.

WARNING: Keep in mind that unlike many DIY solutions you brew up, this one is being applied directly to your skin. When choosing ingredients for your solution, be mindful of things like allergies and skin sensitivities. Also consider any open wounds you may have, as lemon and vinegar can irritate and sting. Vanilla is probably the best mixture to use to avoid any irritation on cuts.

Removing Smell from Your Car

Gasoline spills in the car are unfortunately common, especially when you are transporting gas cans. A healthy spritz of Febreeze is a good first choice to cover up the smell, but it won’t remove the spill.

To remove as much gasoline as possible, try a mixture of baking soda, white vinegar, and hot water. Mix everything in a bowl and use a rag to gently wipe off the seats or rugs in the car that smell.

Removing Smell from Your Carpet

Finally, if the smell of gasoline is lingering in your carpet, you will want to be careful about what you use to clean it up. The best thing to do is to gather two mixing bowls, a few clean rags, hot water, baking soda, a wet/dry vacuum, and vinegar.

Use one rag to soak up any residual liquid in the area where the spill occurred. Then, in one bowl, mix a little hot water with vinegar, and in the other bowl, mix hot water with baking soda into a paste-like consistency.

Apply the vinegar and water solution to the area of the carpet that has the odor on it. Use the vacuum or a rag to soak and clean up the affected area. Then cover the area with the baking soda and water mixture. Use the vacuum or a rag again to wipe off and clean the spot. Then use hot water to clean the area and allow it to dry freely.

 

taken from – http://automotive.repair/2016/09/how-to-remove-a-gasoline-smell/ http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-remove-a-gasoline-smell

Here is a blog post from Meineke, it may be a good post to share with your customers-

Has this ever happened to you? You jump into the driver’s seat of your car, in a rush to get your kids to school and yourself to work. You turn the key and get ready to zoom away—but as you turn your ignition, nothing happens. A few clicks or stray sputters of your engine, maybe. But other than that? Nothing.

You probably know good and well what’s happened here. It’s a dead battery, and for some drivers, it means an automatic call to your roadside assistance company.

But actually, if you have the right equipment and a little bit of knowledge, you can fix this problem all by yourself—jumping your engine and getting back on the road in no time flat

Car Battery Dead?

It has probably happened to you before.You go to turn your ignition, and nothing happens. Maybe you hear a few clicks. Another dead car battery? You need to fix this and get your vehicle back on the road – fast. If you are prepared, you already have a good set of jumper cables in your car. Now all you need to do is to learn how to jump start a car battery.

Choosing the Right Jumper Cables

You don’t need many tools to jump a car battery. First, you must find a functioning car to use for the jump-start. Make sure that both car owners are comfortable opening the hood and identifying the battery and battery terminals. Jumper cables are the most popular tool used to jump start cars because they are inexpensive and easy to store. Jumper cables usually come in a variety of lengths, ranging from 10-20 feet. Some people think longer cables are better so that you do not have to move a car with a dead battery. But, while longer cables provide convenience, they may lose power as the longer the cable, the farther the energy has to travel. The gauge of the cable denotes the strength of the cables. The lower the gauge, the thicker the cables and the stronger they are. Gauge six is a standard size for jumper cables.

Safety First

You should consider all safety risks before performing any basic maintenance or repair on your car. First, make sure that small children are in a safe area away from the engine while you are establishing how to jump a dead car battery. Take a moment to read the manual of your car. Some vehicles require extra steps in order to have a successful jump. If you’re unsure of what to do, contact your local Meineke Car Care Center for advice. Assuming that your car will permit a jump, you should be careful to prevent dangerous electric shocks. When you handle the jumper cables, be aware that their function is to transmit electrical current from one car to another. Once one end of the jumper cables is connected to a car, do not touch the metal clamps to anything but the appropriate target. It’s also recommended that you wear a pair of protective glasses in case sparks go flying into the air.

Step 1
Park the vehicles next to each other.

Step 2
Both vehicles should be off. Set the parking brakes

Step 3
Attach one red clamp to the positive terminal on the dead battery.

Step 4<
Attach the other red clamp to the positive terminal on the working battery.

Step 5
Attach the partnered black clamp to the negative terminal on the working battery.

Step 6
Attach the partnered black clamp to a clean nut or bolt on the engine block.

Step 7
Start the working vehicle and let it run for a few seconds.

Step 8
Start the dead vehicle. It should turn on.

Step 9
If it doesn’t turn on, try revving the engine of the working vehicle.

Step 10
Disconnect the black jumper cables first, then disconnect the red ones.

Step 11
Take a short drive to help recharge the battery.<

Let’s say for a moment that you successfully get your car battery jumped, and are able to make it to your destination. But then, the next time you try to start your engine, you experience the same problems—clicks, sputters, all the telltale sign of a dead battery.

If your battery “dies” twice in a row like that, it simply means that it didn’t successfully hold its charge the first time. There are several potential causes to consider.

The Causes of a Failed Charge

Some of the most common reasons why a battery won’t hold its charge include:

– You’ve left your lights on—or some other accessory that draws battery power—even when the car hasn’t been running.
– Even while you were driving the car, the battery wasn’t recharging. This is a mechanical problem, and something you’ll want to discuss with the service pros at Meineke.
– You simply didn’t drive the car around for very long once you jumped it; remember, you’ll want to keep the engine running for at least a few minutes to ensure it builds a decent charge. Spending about 20 minutes driving around town is ideal.
– There is some sort of a parasitic electrical drain on the battery—more likely than not caused by a bad alternator.
– The battery is simply very old, and no longer capable of holding a charge for very long. If this is the case, you’ll need to replace it. That’s something we can do for you at Meineke.

These are not the only potential causes of your battery woes, but they represent the most likely scenarios.

Diagnosing the Problem

To determine which of these scenarios you’re dealing with, here are a few troubleshooting tips.

1. First, simply turn on your headlights. If they come on with their normal brightness, your problem is probably a bad starter or poor wiring—not the battery itself. If the lights do not come on at all, or if they’re dimmer than normal, then the problem is more likely with the battery.
2. Next, test the voltage of your battery. To do this, get a voltmeter and connect the red lead to the positive terminal and the black lead to the negative terminal. Hopefully, you’ll get a reading of over 12.6 volts, showing a fully charged battery—but if not, there’s definitely an issue with the battery being poorly charged.
3. From there, consider the condition of the battery itself. Does it look obviously corroded or worn out? Is it more than four years old? If so, then the simplest solution may be to have the battery replaced.
4. Finally, consider whether the problem is your alternator. If you detect cracking or fraying in the alternator cables, that’s an obvious sign that something’s off. And if you jump start the car only for the battery to quickly lose its charge and the engine to stall, that’s suggestive of an alternator issue.

These are some effective ways to figure out why your battery won’t hold a charge—but what if it won’t jumpstart at all? If you followed our step-by-step guide and your engine still won’t turn, there could be a number of potential reasons.

If your efforts to jumpstart the battery don’t go anywhere, it’s likely for one of these reasons:

1. First, it may be that the terminals on your car battery need a deep cleaning. We’ll offer some tips for this in just a moment!
2. Your battery may simply be very old, and beyond the point at which it can be repaired—in which case, of course, it will need to be replaced.
3. Finally, note that there could be another mechanical problem somewhere in the vehicle, such as blown fuses or a bad alternator. A Meineke service technician can help diagnose and fix any of these problems.

4. How to Clean a Car Battery

If you have an old battery or a mechanical failing, that’s probably going to require intervention from an automotive specialist. But if the problem is simply that the terminals on your battery need to be cleaned, that’s something you can do yourself.

Here’s what you need to do to make sure your battery terminals are spotless:

1. First and foremost, turn off your engine. While cleaning the terminals is a fairly straightforward DIY project, there is still a slight risk of injury. You can avert this risk simply by making sure you have the engine turned off while you work.

2. Next, loosen the nut holding your negative cable in place; you’ll likely need a wrench for this. Detach the cable from the post. Then, follow the same steps with the positive cable.

3. Take just a moment to visually inspect your car battery. Specifically look for any fissures or cracks. If you see any, that means there’s a problem with your car battery that you probably won’t be able to fix on your own; more likely than not, you’re looking at the need for a battery replacement.

4. You’ll also want to look at the cables and clamps themselves. Again, what you’re looking for is very obvious evidence of wear and tear. If your cables or clamps have big rips or tears, you’ll probably need to have them replaced. These things really can’t be mended.

5. Assuming you don’t see any of these obvious signs of wear and tear, you’ll want to mix your cleaning solution—one tablespoon of baking soda into one cup of water. Mix ‘em up thoroughly, then dip an old toothbrush into the mixture.

6. Use the toothbrush to scrub away any signs of corrosion you see on your battery terminals. Don’t be afraid to really scour thoroughly to get things squeaky clean. You may have to soak your toothbrush in the baking soda mixture a couple of times as you keep scrubbing away.

7. When you finish, use a spray bottle with cool water to rinse off any residue. It is imperative to make sure all baking soda and corrosion is washed away. Then, use an old rag or towel to pat the battery and clamps completely dry.

8. Use a little bit of petroleum jelly to lubricate the terminals.

9. Reattach the cables to their correct terminals.

That’s the basic guide to cleaning your battery terminals—but here’s an alternate approach: If you’re on the go and don’t have access to the above supplies, see if you can find a Coca-Cola or a Pepsi somewhere, and pour it over the terminals. Let it sit for two or three minutes, then rinse your battery clean with cool water. Note: You’ll want to follow the same basic safety steps we outlined above, including turning off your engine and detaching the cables.

How to Prevent Your Battery from Dying

Of course, it’s optimal to keep your battery from dying at all. This isn’t always possible—eventually, every battery dies out—but there are some things you can do to prolong your battery life for as long as possible.

1. For starters, make sure you make regular battery tests part of your routine maintenance. When you take your vehicle to Meineke for an oil change and tire rotation, also ask them to check the battery life, and to let you know when it’s time to think about a replacement.
2. Protect your battery from extreme weather. Garage it during the winter or summer, whenever possible—and if it’s not possible, consider an insulated blanker to keep your battery safe.
3. If you’re going out of town and won’t be driving the car for a few weeks, see if a friend can come rev it up and take it around the block once or twice, ensuring that the battery stays charged.
4. Of course, you also want to double and triple check to be sure you aren’t leaving lights or appliances on when the vehicle isn’t running—these are major drains on the battery life.

Battery life is something you can extend through regular, preventative maintenance. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment for a battery test, we invite you to reach out to your nearest Meineke service location today. Ask us how we can help you keep your vehicle battery in good working order!

Source- https://www.meineke.com/blog/jump-start-car-battery-right-way/

You can now easily print oil change stickers for your customers, a convenient reminder when to bring their vehicle back. You’ll need a DYMO LabelPrinter 450 (or 450 Turbo) (about $60) and 1 1/8” x 3 1/2” labels (Item 30252 or 30370). Labels can be printed from the special icon (the funnel with the odometer) on the work order window and from the Oil Change Sticker button on the vehicle window.  We offer several label configurations. You can turn on this feature and select the label file to be used on the Interface Settings window, Other Interface Settings tab.  Also on that tab, you can click the icon to get a test print.  Be sure to first install the DYMO software. Month and mileage intervals can be customized for each vehicle; the defaults are 3 months and 3,000 miles.  On the vehicle window, click the Oil Change Sticker button with the RIGHT mouse button to change these values. Finally, you can fully customize the label within the DYMO software.  Just double-click one of the .label files using Windows File Explorer.  The DYMO software will launch and allow you to change the logo, change the text and even change the size of the label you want to use.  Be sure to save the changes under a new file name and then select that file in the Interface Settings window to use it.

Car buyers often purchase automobiles with a standard transmission that has a clutch pedal because they like the power a stick shift provides. However, when a car owner goes to buy a new car, the pedal might disengage earlier or later than the older one. Adjusting a clutch pedal can also prevent slipping. Luckily, testing a clutch pedal to see if you want to make adjustments is easy, so you can skip paying a professional and follow these few steps instead.

Self-Adjusting Clutch

The self-adjusting clutch is one of the two types of clutch-adjustment testing methods, and it is the easier of the two.

Step 1 – Lift Up the Clutch Pedal

With your car engine running and your parking brake engaged, slip one foot beneath the clutch pedal and lift it upward toward you.

Step 2 – Depress the Pedal

Then, test it by depressing the pedal and putting your car in gear. Make note of the distance your clutch has to move downward before you can change gears.

Step 3 – Test the Pedal

To give it a fair test, try putting it into low forward gear, then second forward, and finally third forward. Make note of how much you need to depress the clutch pedal before it disengages the clutch and allows you to put the car into gear without grinding any of the gears. Be sure the clutch pedal doesn’t come up too high before it disengages the clutch.

 Manual Clutch Adjustment

Step 1 – Get Into the Proper Position

With your engine turned off and your hand brake engaged, get into a position in the front seat where you will be able to see behind the car’s dashboard on the driver’s side. If necessary, get into position outside the car with the door open. Lower yourself so that your head is partially under the dashboard.

Step 2 – Push the Clutch Pedal and Locate the Hook

With one hand, push the clutch pedal toward the floorboard and hold it there. Next, locate a large hook-like object on the clutch assembly. It should be near the top of the clutch shaft.

Step 3 – Pull the Hook Upward

As you continue to put pressure on the clutch pedal, pull up on the hook-like object until you hear it click once. Then, release your pressure on it.

Step 4 – Test the Clutch

Next, test the clutch. Climb back onto the seat and start the engine. Keeping one foot on the brake pedal, push the clutch pedal downward toward the floor with your foot and adjust your gearshift lever to put your car in gear as you did in the first test. If the clutch pedal isn’t working properly, you can replace it yourself in a few steps, too.

 

Source- http://automotive.repair/2016/08/two-ways-to-test-a-clutch-pedal/ and http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-adjust-a-clutch-pedal

SEMA2016PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 19 October 2016

Winworks Software, Inc. 1-800-946-9675

support@winworks.com

See Winworks Software, Inc. at Booth #31229

Placerville, California: Winworks Software, Inc. is excited to announce that they will be exhibiting at the SEMA SHOW 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada this November 1st-4th.

At the 2016 SEMA SHOW, Winworks Software, Inc. will be demonstrating their flagship program along with Winworks Mobile and Winworks Inspect. Two Add-Ons, which extend the shop management system to increase work flow and profitability.

Automotive repair shop owners and service advisors can explore these innovative technologies in a “Hands-On” way, working with Winworks consultants to find solutions to shop work flow operations.

Winworks Software, Inc. will be at booth #31229 in the “Business Services Section- South Hall Upper” of the SEMA Show.

• Winworks AutoShop takes shop management to a new level, combining time tested desktop features with productivity enhancing mobile applications. The power and flexibility of our flagship management system allows us to tailor features to suit the shop operating environment.
• Winworks Mobile, an add-on to the Winworks AutoShop system built specifically for the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices allows service advisors to scan a VIN barcode, review service history, recommendations and start the work order at the vehicle. This new mobile capability has had a dramatic impact on service advisor efficiency in work order writing along with an improved customer service experience.
• Winworks Inspect, an add-on to the Winworks AutoShop system, built to be in- tune with Winworks AutoShop. Winworks Inspect is a full inspections system that you can use on your PC or on a mobile device. You can create recommendations and tasks right from Winworks Inspect. With this powerful, easy to use tool, you will find it easier than ever to get customers coming back into your shop for more needed services!

Winworks Software pioneered the Windows-based shop management system twenty years ago. Since then, working closely with their users, they have added hundreds of innovative features changing the way thousands of auto repair facilities write work orders and track information. Shop owners and service advisors can learn more information about the Winworks AutoShop system by visiting the Winworks website at www.winworks.com or by calling 1-800-Winworks

Meet Model X

Model X is the safest, fastest and most capable sport utility vehicle in history. With all-wheel drive and a 90 kWh battery providing 257 miles of range, Model X has ample seating for seven adults and all of their gear. And it’s ludicrously fast, accelerating from zero to 60 miles per hour in as quick as 3.2 seconds.
Model X is the SUV uncompromising.

The estimated delivery for new reservations is the latter half of 2016

Safety First Design

Model X is designed with safety as the first priority. The floor-mounted battery lowers the center of gravity so that the risk of rollover is about half that of any vehicle in its class. The battery structure strengthens Model X against side impact intrusions. And without a gasoline engine, the large front trunk acts as a giant impact-absorbing crumple zone. Although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet conducted crash testing on Model X, Tesla’s own internally conducted crash testing indicates that Model X should be the first SUV to receive the highest safety rating in every category.

Active Safety

Model X continually scans the surrounding roadway with camera, radar and sonar systems, providing the driver with real-time feedback to help avoid collisions. Even at highway speeds, Model X is designed to automatically apply brakes in an emergency.

Pollution Free, Inside and Out

A medical grade HEPA filter strips outside air of pollen, bacteria, viruses and pollution before circulating it into the cabin. There are three modes: circulate with outside air, re-circulate inside air and a bioweapon defense mode that creates positive pressure inside the cabin to protect occupants.

Falcon Wings

Falcon Wing doors allow easy access to second and third row seats from even a tight parking space, while traditional SUV doors or Minivan sliding doors would not grant any access.

With only a foot of clearance on either side, Falcon Wing doors articulate smoothly up and out of the way, allowing passengers to enter from both front and rear directions. The side and overhead opening is so large that parents can buckle children in without ducking or straining and without bumping their child’s head on the roof.

Aerodynamic

Model X is able to achieve 257 miles of range in part because it is the most aerodynamic SUV in production. At 0.24, Model X’s drag coefficient is 20% lower than the next best SUV. In addition, an active spoiler deploys from the rear liftgate to optimize highway efficiency and stability.

Big Sky

Model X has the largest all glass panoramic windshield in production, providing an unparalleled view of the stars and sky above. Optimized solar tinting and obstruction-free view creates unlimited visibility for the driver and all passengers.

Seating for Seven + Gear

Model X comfortably seats seven people in three rows. Every seat is the best seat in the house, but the second row seats are a work of art. Mounted on a single post and independently reclining, each second row seat is designed to maximize passenger comfort, legroom, under seat storage and access to the third row. The third row seats fold flat when not in use and the second row seats lean forward and out of the way for even more cargo area.

Everything Fits

Stow everyone’s gear in Model X’s large front trunk, rear cargo area and under passenger seats. Hitch mounted accessory carriers hold additional gear. Model X is the first electric vehicle with a 5,000 pound towing capacity.

Specs

P90D Performance All-Wheel Drive 250 miles range (EPA est.) 3.8 seconds 0-60 mph 3.2 seconds with Ludicrous Speed Upgrade 155 mph top speed

P90 All-Wheel Drive 257 miles range (EPA est.) 4.8 seconds 0-60 mph 155 mph top speed

70D All-Wheel Drive 220 miles range (EPA est.) 6.0 seconds 0-60 mph 140 mph top speed

Model X Performance base option acceleration ratings follow Motor Trend’s test procedure of subtracting the first foot rollout time to represent drag strip performance.

Technology

• Regular over-the-air updates add safety and navigation features, enhance performance and improve the driver experience
• Free long distance travel on Tesla’s expanding Supercharger network
• Maps and navigation with real time traffic information
• Center console with a quick connection phone dock
• GPS enabled Homelink

Safety

• Electric All-Wheel Drive for maximum efficiency and traction
• Active safety technologies, including side collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking, even at highway speeds
• Parking sensors and blind spot warning
• Full LED headlamps
• Power-folding, heated side mirrors
• Up to four LATCH child seat attachments

Convenience

• Largest glass panoramic windshield in production, providing unparalleled views
• Falcon Wing doors allow easy access to second and third row seats, even from tight parking spaces
• Automatic keyless entry
• Automatic rear liftgate
• Largest interior storage capacity of its class: 77 cubic feet in the six seat interior configuration
• Front trunk with room for luggage, strollers or two golf bags

Warranty

• 8 year, infinite mile battery and drive unit warranty
• 4 year, 50,000 mile limited warranty

All specifications

RESERVE YOURSSTAY UPDATED

The estimated delivery for new reservationsis the latter half of 2016

Taken from- Tesla Motors www.tesla.com

Why Does Auto Shop Management Software Matters? How am I suppose to save time in my auto repair shop and keep customers coming back in? Read below for 6 reasons why auto shop management software matters:

1.) Keep track of your inventory.

Automotive shop software can keep track of all your inventory, you are able to print out an inventory report and really see what you have in your shop’s inventory. You wont have to go through the guesswork of what is in inventory and what is not. We have heard so many stories of shops accidentally selling parts to customers that they don’t actually have in their shop. That takes them more time to go out and make a part run and get the parts they sold. When you can keep track of your parts, it saves you time, in turn saving you money.

2.) Write Work Orders

Most auto shop softwares out there will give you the ability to write work orders and estimates, but all are different. When looking at auto shop softwares, you need to look at both function and ease of use. You can have just function, but if you are spending 10 minutes looking for the print button, it’s not the software for you. As well as if you don’t have the necessary ways to add parts and tasks onto the work order, it’s equally useless. When you find a good balance of function and ease of use, you found a good shop software for you and your business.

3.) Necessary Interfaces

No shop software is going to have all the utilities you need for your shop. The key is to find one that makes a seamless interface with the applications you need. If you use Quickbooks, then you should start looking for a software that interfaces with Quickbooks. When it comes to parts ordering, if you find your self ordering parts from a lot of suppliers online, you should be looking for an auto shop program that gives you the ability to order parts through IAP, NAPA, and so on. Parts and Labor estimators are important too, be sure to have a shop program that can seamlessly interface with parts and labor estimator.

4.) Built-in Time Clock

A built-in Time Clock is another important factor when choosing a shop management program. A place where you techs and clock in and out of jobs and tasks. This will save many hours of manually adding up timesheets. This also helps with your labor rate that when a tech clocks into a job, it starts it and you can find out how much money you are making in real time for the task the tech is clocked into.

5.) Service Tracking

In regards to service tracking, it is best to have a system that can keep track of both customers and vehicles separately and together. Information is power when it comes to running a shop. The more you know, about your customers and vehicles, the better business decisions you can make. When you can make informed decisions, you will see your business grow.

6.) Built-in Marketing

Having some marketing tools built into your program is a huge bonus, for bringing customers back into your shop. There are full blown email marketing programs out there like MailChimp and Constant Contact, they are great tools to build a great looking email. but in order to get the emails to send, you need a shop program that and extract email with ease. If you find a shop program that has the ability to send postcards and text messages that is even better. Find out what works best for your shop, and go with the best ROI (Return on investment).

As many of you are aware, the EMV chips in credit cards are becoming more popular. If your credit car swiper does not have a place for the EMV chip card, you will need to contact X-Charge (OpenEdge), to place an order for your new credit card reader. Your current reader will still accept the EMV chip cards. But according to OpenEdge, you will be liable for fraudulent use of cards.

For more informations on the EMV October 1st Date go to-

https://www.openedgepayment.com/en/emv-resources/emv-faq

 

 

Below is a Article from sophos.com on ransomware and how you can protect you and your data.

Anatomy of a ransomware attack: CryptoLocker, CryptoWall, and how to stay safe (Infographic)

By: John Zorabedian

Ransomware, it’s everywhere. We had hoped that the notorious file-encrypting ransomware called CryptoLocker was defeated after law enforcement knocked out its infrastructure last year, but CryptoLocker and its close cousin CryptoWall have come back stronger than ever.

Ransomware is malware that prevents you from using your files or your computer, and then extorts money from you in exchange for a promise to unlock them.

We’d like to show you more about the newest kinds of ransomware, how they work, and what you as an organization or individual can do to stay safe.

Ransomware: a brief history

Ransomware and fake-antivirus have been around for many years, relying on social engineering to trick computer users into paying the cybercriminals, so their phony warnings claim, to avoid fines from police for supposed crimes, or to clean up “viruses” on their computers that don’t actually exist.

But CryptoLocker and CryptoWall – variations of the malware we sometimes call crypto-ransomware or cryptoware – don’t bother with that sort of trickery. The attackers tell victims up-front that their files have been encrypted by the crooks. Unless you pay for the encryption key held by the attackers, the crooks destroy the private encryption key, making it impossible to recover your files.

How it works

A ransomware attack goes through five stages from the time it installs on your computer to the appearance of the ransom warning on your screen. You can download a step-by-step infographic to learn about the stages of an attack, and get tips on staying safe.

https://blogs.sophos.com/2015/03/03/anatomy-of-a-ransomware-attack-cryptolocker-cryptowall-and-how-to-stay-safe-infographic/

By: Ken Kupchik

For anyone who is at money-conscious, having a car that lasts for hundreds of thousands of miles is a huge money-saver. My last car read over 330,000 miles on the odometer before it 

finally passed on into the great junk yard in the sky, and vehicle owners across the world have gotten media attention for getting even over a million miles out of their rides. So if you’re looking to drive a car until it has “hundreds” of thousands of miles on it, you need to make sure to take the following steps:

1) Buy Reliable – If you’re buying a car, or car brand, that is notoriously unreliable, it might be difficult to reach your goal of 200k or more miles. Some cars are just poorly designed, which makes for frequent repairs, and will derail you from your journey to high mileage right when you drive it off the lot. Here is a list of the most reliable car brands, and another of the least reliable car brands to get you started.

2) Follow the Vehicle Maintenance Schedule – Most vehicle owners either don’t know, or don’t care to find out exactly how their car is supposed to be taken care of. The ones who make their cars last longer than their marriages, however, follow their vehicle manufacturer maintenance schedule which can be found either in the vehicle owner’s manual or by doing a simple online search. This is an absolute must for anyone aiming to brag about how many miles their car has.

3) Don’t Ignore Your Car – Another failure of many vehicle owners is their neglect for the signs their car is showing that something may be wrong. If anything sounds, looks, or feels out of the ordinary when you’re driving, it’s imperative that you get it looked at by a professional immediately, not only for good of the vehicle, but for your own safety as well. Turn the radio down occasionally to listen to how the car sounds, keep en eye on the exterior and interior of the car to note any irregularities, and be mindful of how the car feels while driving, and investigate any changes, no matter how slight.

4) Find a Mechanic You Can Trust – Mechanic Advisor’s core mission is to connect people with a local mechanic that they can trust. Developing a relationship with a competent, reputable, and honest mechanic is key for vehicle longevity. No matter how dependable a car may be, normal wear and tear requires replacement work, and maintenance is crucial in long-serving cars. Ask for referrals from friends, check reviews online (Yelp, Angie’s List, Mechanic Advisor), and take time to ask your potential mechanic questions until you feel comfortable working with them.

5) Take Pride In Your Car – Lastly, without pride in your car, there is absolutely no way you’ll make it to 200k miles and up. People whose cars last nearly forever always take great pride in ownership of their car, whether it’s a Bentley or a Honda Civic. Prideful owners keep their car clean, free of major defects, and immaculately well maintained. If the car has any noticeable issues, they can’t get a good night’s sleep until it’s been resolved. They follow the maintenance schedule to a “t” and drive the car like they will own it forever. Most of all, they take pride in being able to brag to people about how their car has over 200,000 miles on it.

 

http://www.mechanicadvisor.com/articles/how-you-can-get-over-200-000-miles-out-of-your-car

by Bobby Gaglini

This is a PSA of sorts for all the customers out there. Sure, you can do these things, but I don’t know why you would ever want to. Here are the top 10 things customers do that absolutely infuriate auto mechanics.

http://www.mechanicadvisor.com/articles/the-10-things-that-mechanics-hate-the-most

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We spend most of our days using computers at work, smartphones when we’re out and about, and tablets and PCs at home. Technology, especially software, has become such an integral part of both work and daily life, it’s hard to remember a world without it. In fact, finding a world without computers might be harder than you think; they have been around now for decades. Software has made the impossible possible, and the laborious and tedious, fast and easy.

On the eve of the software industry’s 60th birthday, and to commemorate Capterra’s 15th anniversary of helping businesses find the right software, we decided to take a look back on this History of Software and find the biggest and most forgotten-about events that impacted the industry. Take a look at our timeline: are there any big milestones that we didn’t include? Where would your company fit into this history?

Congratulations to the thousands of software companies that have already helped to make history. With the software industry continuing to grow, we think there is a lot of history still to be made!