Long-established workshops need systems matching their scale. Harborne Garage chose a digital garage management solution to replace its manual processes, boosting visibility, accountability and customer communication in a busy multi-ramp environment.
Legacy Systems Limit Growth
Founded in 1970, Harborne Garage Limited operates from a 10,000 sq ft site with a reception area, control space and 12 ramps, serving a high volume of daily work. For decades, the team relied on a traditional T-card system, familiar and simple, but said to be increasingly inadequate for a business of this size.
Owner Paul Harper explains the key challenge wasn’t just organising jobs, it was gaining accurate, real-time insight into how the business was running, and making informed decisions about performance and workflow.
He said: “We chose the TechMan management system after looking at other systems as well… due to the professionalism of TechMan and the needs that we want going forward.”
Introducing Structure and Accountability
After evaluating multiple platforms, Harborne Garage adopted TechMan GMS, starting with the basic package to ensure a smooth transition. Once the team was comfortable, they upgraded to the full solution, unlocking digital job tracking, team accountability and performance insight across the workshop.
Digital job cards replaced manual notes, giving both office and workshop teams instant visibility of assignments, status updates and technician progress. This shift reportedly eliminated ambiguity and helped to measure workload and productivity.
Stronger Operations, Clearer Communication
The results were said to be felt quickly and across multiple fronts. Harborne Garage now benefits from:
- Improved reporting and accountability: Digital tracking gives a realistic view of operations and performance
- Better customer communication: Vehicle status and updates are shared with customers, keeping them informed throughout their repair journey
- Enhanced vehicle accountability: Technicians use tablets to photograph vehicles before moving them, ensuring a record of each vehicle’s condition.
Digital diaries and structured workflows have replaced manual tracking, helping the team manage ramp utilisation, parts allocation and daily scheduling.
Support That Matters
Paul also highlighted the value of TechMan’s ongoing support. From training to issue resolution, the team’s responsiveness has been a contributor to the system’s successful adoption and continued use.
He commented: “The ongoing help and support from TechMan has been faultless… They’ve always been on the phone, answered, and dealt with any queries or problems that we’ve had.”
A Recommendation Backed by Experience
For a long-established garage adapting to modern customer expectations and competitive pressures, the move to a digital management platform has delivered visibility, accountability and operational control.
Paul concluded: “I would certainly go for TechMan… The training, the accountability, and the professionalism is very, very good.”
