GenesisFour


"I have recently purchased ServiceShop from GenesisFour and am currently training on it. The software is incredibly well thought out and so flexible it will take me a month to figure it out, but it looks like it was worth EVERY dime I spent. My hat is off to Fred, Dimitri and their people for this software. "
Jim Cokonis, Owner/Technician
Auto Kinetics
Frederick, Maryland, USA

 

iATN! Member Comments

These are comments about GenesisFour and our products, made mostly (but not exclusively) by GenesisFour users on iATN! (www.iatn.net). The only edits are the omission of the salutation, and correction of typographical errors. All quotes used with permission.


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I am using GenesisFour's Service2000 and cannot say enough good things about the program. I previously used their prior version SSM & it was awesome. Both programs have matrix pricing that will automatically set your selling prices and you can have multiple matrices for unlimited departments. Reports are equally as good. It {S2K} is all set up in a Windows environment. The on-site training & support is tops in the industry. And it {S2K} exports to QuickBooks! Believe me it can do it ALL!! If you would like any addition info please feel free to call me @216 898-5800. All I can say is BUY IT!!

Gerry Frank, Owner
Auto Repair Technology
Brook Park, Ohio
2/9/04


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

6 months ago I opened my own shop, before doing so I tried many management systems at shops I previously worked at and demos that were sent to me. I have to say I tried on demand 5 and I decided against the Mitchell system. I have the information system for repairs, and I purchased GenesisFour's Service2000. It has been impeccable. A little more money, but an outstanding program. Training is great and the support is second to none. I have only had one problem with the system, The Mitchell Rep crashed it when installing the On Demand Repair Software. I called Genesis 4 for service and they had my system back up within 20 minutes. As we tell our customer's, you get what you pay for... I hope this helps. 

Brian Kane, Owner/Technician
Auto Advisors Inc.
Springfield, New Hampshire, USA
1/22/03


Subject: Re: Still looking at shop program

I recently went with Service2000 from GenesisFour. Good functionality, good interfaces available and a QuickBooks export system that actually works. Can be purchased as opposed to the endless software lease and modules added as you require. Invoice options and look are VERY professional and easy to read. Several customers have already commented. I know the last thing you want to hear is "look at something else too" but it is not like you want to change it every few months or years. I would suggest actually spending time using a demo as if you were running your shop with it for several weeks before making a choice.

Jim Cokonis, Owner/Technician
Auto Kinetics
Frederick, Maryland, USA
12/13/04


Subject: Re: {replacement for} Turbo-Mac Software

After the phones went dead at Turbo-Mac around October '03 I realized that it was time to start looking for a replacement. I settled on Service 2000 by Genesis Four. This is incredible software. It simply blows the others out of the water! Also, the company support has been awesome!

I had a shop owner from New York call me and ask for my help with his Turbo-Mac system. I don't know how he found me. Unfortunately, I was unable to help. I used to be pretty good at de-bugging my own system, but I have forgotten most of what I knew. This New York guy said that he had {name removed} personal phone number but that it no longer worked. Seriously, look at GenesisFour at: http://www.genesisfour.com

Good luck,
Mike

Michael Stevenson, Owner/Shop Foreman
Import Automotive
Loma Linda, California (Southern), USA
1/5/05


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I have the Service2000 program. I love this program! I do not know what I did without it. It has never failed for me. The training is awesome and the people are good to deal with. I would highly recommend this program.

Craig Crosby, Owner/Technician
A+ Dealer Alternative, Inc.
Tallahassee, Florida, USA
1/22/2003


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I have been using an older version (Senior Service Manger) of software from GenesisFour for 12 years and all I can say about the product is that it is rock solid! More important than that is that the service after the sale is impeccable. If you have any questions feel free to give me a call at 281-391-7617. 

Robert Gruener, Owner/Technician
Autotechtronics By Robert, Inc.
Autotechtronics By Robert, Inc.
Katy, Texas, USA
1/23/03


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I have recently purchased Service2000 from GenesisFour and am currently training on it. The software is incredibly well thought out and so flexible it will take me a month to figure it out, but it looks like it was worth EVERY dime I spent. My hat is off to Al and his people for this software. 

Scott Groen, Owner/Technician
Fixit1S
Fort Collins, Colorado
11/26/02


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I did not like the Service Center program at all and I was having a lot of problems with errors that they could not fix. They wanted me to make copies of files and send them in so they could try to figure out what was happening. I did not have the time for them to figure it out, it usually happened when a customer was standing at my counter to pick up a car. I would recommend talking to GenesisFour. They have a great product and it can be as big or small as you want. It does cost a little bit but it has yet to fail or give me one problem.

Craig Crosby, Owner/Technician
A+ Dealer Alternative, Inc.
Tallahassee, Florida, USA


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I have been using GenesisFour  since 1999 I looked at a lot of programs, when I was trying to find a management software and none compared to GenesisFour. Unless Mitchell has added the built in time clock that tracks tech labor to R.O.'s they are not even on the same playing field. I would highly recommend GenesisFour. 

Glenn Vannatta, Owner/Technician
Fleet Maintenance Service
Great Falls, Montana, USA
1/23/03


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

We have been using G4's SSM (Senior Service Manager) since 1998. We have just upgraded to their new version S2K (Service2000). It is running flawlessly. The original system was never down. The upgrade seems like it will be the same. The training & service after the sale is second to none! I have also installed their system in (another) shop I just purchased. The tech time management feature of the program is really powerful. I also use it to track the different tasks that my office personnel do. (Preparing promos, processing A/R etc.) Really lets you know what areas of the business needs attention.

Daniel C. Lange, Owner/Manager
Lange's Automotive
Lange's Automotive
Maumee, Ohio, USA
1/25/03


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

Hi I have been using Senior Service Manager from GenesisFour since 1999 and have been very pleased with it. It is a very powerful program with all the needed item with some very nice extra's like a time clock that tracks time of tech's to job's works very well and since I turned it on in June 99 has worked with out fail.

Glenn Vannatta, Owner/Technician
Fleet Maintenance Service
Fleet Maintenance Service
Great Falls, Montana, USA


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

Look into GenesisFour. Go to www.genesisfour.com. A very complete and comprehensive program that can be tailored to what you need. They are very helpful people. We are just getting ready to go online with the program. I have looked at a lot of programs and found this one to be the most complete. Buying software is a big chore. Good luck.

Nathan Bean, Owner/Technician
Integrity Auto Repair
Integrity Auto Repair
Issaquah, Washington, USA


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I spent several months looking for software about a two years ago. The one I bought is from GenesisFour called Senior Service Manager V5. It does everything from the service order, parts, inventory, final invoice, tracking techs time to jobs with it's built in time clock, full built in accounting, I have been using it since June '99 with no problems. I will answer any question you may have drop me a line if you would like any more info.

Glenn Vannatta, Owner/Technician
Fleet Maintenance Service
Fleet Maintenance Service
Great Falls, Montana, USA 


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I have been using the GenesisFour system for 8 years. We started as a 2 man shop & now we are a 8 person shop. It has grown beautifully with us and has helped me in more ways than I care to type... I am also beta testing Service2000 and it looks just awesome!

Richard White II, Owner/Technician
Rick White's Tremont St. Garage
Rick White's Tremont St Garage
Melrose, Massachusetts, USA


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

You might want to give GenesisFour a call at 1-800-937-4364. This program is client/server technology and is industrial strength tough. World class support, also.

Jim McFarland, Owner/Technician
Japanese Auto Service
Orem, Utah, USA 


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I have just started using Service2000 by GenesisFour. It is available in modules so you get what you need and can go up from there as you need. It does a lot and can do a lot more with upgrades. Go to www.genesisfour.com and ask for a demo of the program and they will do a live demo online if you have a good connection to the internet. 

Craig Crosby, Owner/Technician
A+ Dealer Alternative, Inc.
Tallahassee, Florida, USA


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

Our shop has been using Senior Service Manager by GENESISFOUR since June of 1992. We started with 5 terminals in one building. Over the years we have expanded to four shops with 25 terminals. The software is fantastic and does all we need and more. I would suggest you at least look at this prior to purchase of anything. The support we receive, though seldom needed is great. You can visit GENESISFOUR at (www.genesisfour.com) I believe. If interested and have questions, please feel free to call me or email. If that is not the site, a search engine will locate, or again, please feel free to call.

Dave Gensler, Manager
Smitty's Automotive Service
Toledo, Ohio, USA


 


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I had been checking out Senior Service Manager for 4 years and was finally so fed up with all the cheap stuff that I went ahead and bought it. Well I've been using it for 9 months and would never go back to a cheaper program. It's kind of like this do you want to use cheap tools that don't work or mess something up or good ones that do the job right again and again and again. I'm sure you've been down that road but why entrust your business to cheap tools that don't do what you want them to do when you want them to do it. Check them out www.genesisfour.com they will be glad to help. Nice people too!!

John Shanderuk, Owner/Technician
Uptown Imports
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

Have had AWESOME results with Senior Service Manager from GenesisFour. You can call them at 800-YES-GEN4. Have had their system for about 9 years. We have three techs & have about 10 terminals in the shop. Just a few of the features is electronic time clock, calculation box to make sure job is profitable in both the estimate & the actual invoice. Mailings to customers with this system is an absolute breeze & scheduling is easy. Happy to talk with you about it in more detail. Call 781-665-9892 during the day & I would love to talk with you.

Richard White II, Owner/Technician
Rick White's Tremont St Garage
Melrose, Massachusetts, USA


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I have been using Senior Service Manager (SSM) from GenesisFour for over 1 1/2 years and it works great! I switched from ShopKey where I was a beta test site. The QuickBooks interface did not work and the purchase order program was not effective among other things. SSM has a great PO and inventory system, canned jobs are unlimited and can be configured to all vehicles or specific makes and models. Follow-up works great with or without mailmerge to MS Word, the GL and all accounting functions are outstanding. We run a NT server with four work stations. The system has not been down since startup. If you would like to talk give me a call at 330-837-0005 M-F 8-5 eastern time.

Carl (Skip) Sekulich, Owner
Skip's Auto
www.skipsauto.com
Massillon, OH


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I have been using Senior Service Manager (SSM) since 1/97. We started with a Unix machine and 7 stations. Since that time we have used terminal emulation software and finally Ethernet hubs to completely network all our PC's. I have been very happy with the support, software and hardware. I told Al from the beginning that I was not a computer junky. He would provide hardware, software and a phone number if I ever had any problems. He has been true to his end of the bargain. We have had virtually no problems. Any problems we have had were dealt with immediately. We have not lost a day with this program. If you have any questions either call 360-642-4753 or e-mail. You can even come down for a test drive if you want.

Doug Knutzen, Owner
Box-K Auto Repair Inc.
Seaview, Washington, USA


The Subject: Re: Shop Management Software

I looked at approximately 17 different management programs before deciding on GenesisFour. Several were really Mickey Mouse glorified invoice writing programs. The program has been very well thought and is highly functional. Many of the programs I evaluated were very strong in one or two areas but very weak in others. Genesis was and is, in my opinion, simply the most functional and useful. The price  was very competitive. The support prior to and more importantly after the sale has been remarkable.  In all my dealings with Al and his staff, not once did they tell me anything that was later proved to be untrue. Genesis Four is a very ethical company. They have been in existence for several years and from all appearances will be supporting their product for many years to come. The program is very user friendly but massive in it's capabilities. It has taken my staff and myself about month to truly feel comfortable with the program. We had used our old software for over 8 years. Now that we are familiar with GenesisFour, we simply love it. We are discovering new features almost everyday. I strongly urge you to go multi-user. If you are looking for low level limited software to simply write invoices or manage inventory there are many programs available for less. However, if however you are looking for software that can truly help you manage your business and increase your profitability, in my opinion, this is the best value available. I hope this helps in your decision. If there are any other questions I can answer, please feel free to contact me.

Greg Mendoza, Owner
Superior Automotive
Twenty-Nine Palms, CA


Thread from the PC Forum

You may want to consider a shop management program that exports to an accounting program. It seems like that some shop management programs may have an accounting module, but it may be lacking in some areas such as payroll. It would be very difficult for any company that specializes in shop software to come up with an accounting program that rivals QuickBooks. We are using Service2000 from GenesisFour which exports to QuickBooks and it works slickly.

I have used QuickBooks for a few years, but now with the shop management program exporting into it, it makes things a lot easier. Doing manual entries from one to the other is a big drag, it is where you can make errors, and it is also a big bottleneck in your accounting process. I don't know how QuickBooks would work for shop management by itself, but it would seem to be restrictive as you grow. But I am sure there are many that are using it with great success.

I have used Peachtree before also. In my opinion it does not offer the features and flexibility of QuickBooks and it seemed to be very counterintuitive. But again, there are others who may disagree.

Spend a lot of time setting up the chart of accounts, and get your CPA's input in the set up stages. It is good to be able to do bookkeeping yourself, or pay somebody to do it if you are more valuable somewhere else in the business. You are right, paying an accountant for basic record keeping can be costly. However, not having a CPA can even be costlier when it comes to taxes, and advice.

Stephen Fisette, Owner/Manager
De Pere Auto Center
De Pere, Wisconsin

Response from another member:

Hey,

I totally agree! I have Service2000 and QuickBooks pro. Talk about an easy system and integration to QuickBooks.

-Craig

Craig Crosby, Owner/Technician
A+ Dealer Alternative, Inc.
Tallahassee, Florida, USA

 

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