BTN Automotive

Introduction

BTN Automotive specialises in German and Jaguar Land Rover vehicles, with Director Ben and General Manager Cameron overseeing the day-to-day running of the business.

Having previously moved away from paper-based processes with TechMan, the team were given early access to TechMan 2.0, allowing them to explore the latest improvements and new features.

With a redesigned dashboard, enhanced diary functionality, improved technician workflows, and integrated repair data, TechMan 2.0 has helped BTN Automotive build on its existing processes, improving efficiency and providing greater visibility across the workshop.

The Challenge

Before adopting TechMan, BTN Automotive relied on a paper diary to manage bookings and organise daily workloads. This approach was slow and inefficient, making it more difficult to oversee the workshop and keep track of technicians throughout the day.

“The diary was paper, it was slow, inefficient,” Ben explains.

Moving to TechMan introduced a digital diary and tablets for technicians, helping the team manage their workload more effectively. However, as the business continued using the system, there were further opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce administration, and make better use of the information available.

With TechMan 2.0, BTN Automotive wanted to build on these improvements and make everyday processes even easier for both technicians and office staff.

The Solution

As an early adopter of TechMan 2.0, BTN Automotive had the opportunity to explore the redesigned system and its additional functionality.

Although the updated dashboard initially took some getting used to, Ben explains that the team quickly became comfortable with the changes.

“Once you’ve got your head around it and embraced the new features, then it does make things easier. And now it’s sort of second nature to us. The new system is really good.”

One of the most valuable improvements has been the workshop’s digital diary, displayed on a dedicated screen. This provides a clearer overview of incoming jobs, technician allocations, and progress throughout the day.

“We’ve got a workshop digital diary on the screen, and that’s enabled us to have a better overview, and the techs a better overview of the day,” Ben explains.

The team have also benefited from greater access to repair information through Autodata Premium, allowing technicians to access technical data and wiring diagrams directly from their tablets rather than relying on a shared computer.

The Results

Since moving to TechMan 2.0, BTN Automotive has experienced improvements in workshop visibility, administration, technician efficiency, and access to technical information.

• Improved workshop visibility:
  The enhanced diary and technician efficiency features provide a clearer picture of daily workloads and job progress. Ben explains that the team can now monitor how jobs are progressing without repeatedly interrupting technicians for updates.
• Reduced administration:
  Technicians can enter job write-ups directly onto their tablets, allowing office staff to transfer information into invoices and check sheets more efficiently.
  “Job write-ups have saved us a lot of time,” Ben says. “We can get the facts from the techs straight onto the invoice or the check sheets, and then obviously deliver that to the customer with ease.”
• Faster access to technical information:
  With Autodata Premium available directly through TechMan, technicians can access wiring diagrams and repair information from their tablets without needing to return to a central computer.
  “It can save anywhere between 5 to 10 minutes, especially if there’s a queue for the main computer,” Cameron explains.
• Better communication and job documentation:
  Digital photographs, videos, and technician notes allow the team to document completed work and provide customers with clearer information about their vehicles.
• Improved business oversight:
  TechMan 2.0 gives technicians, service advisors, and management greater visibility across the workshop.
  “With the technicians, the actual advisors, the workshop management, myself and Ben, it gives everyone a better overview of the whole system,” Cameron says.

Together, these improvements have helped BTN Automotive streamline its daily operations while making better use of the information already available within TechMan.

Support & Experience

Ben explains that adapting to TechMan 2.0 involved an initial learning period, particularly with the redesigned dashboard and updated features. However, once the team became familiar with the changes, they began to recognise the benefits.

“Now they’re used to it, they seem to be embracing it as well,” he explains.

The team have also been exploring the wider capabilities of TechMan 2.0, including its AI Service Advisor.

Cameron sees particular potential in using AI to manage incoming telephone enquiries outside normal opening hours, helping the team capture information from customers when the garage is closed.

“For us, having that first thing in the morning, that information would be crucial really,” Cameron explains.

While the team are still exploring some of these newer capabilities, their experience demonstrates how TechMan 2.0 can support further improvements as garages become familiar with its functionality.

Conclusion

For BTN Automotive, TechMan 2.0 has provided a more efficient and connected way of managing daily workshop operations. From improved diary visibility and technician reporting to faster access to repair data and reduced administration, the system has helped the team work more effectively.

Ben highlights how the additional functionality has improved the way the workshop operates, particularly by giving management greater visibility without interrupting technicians throughout the day.

“We’re now utilising more of the features that 2.0 has to offer, which has sped the day up and made our admin side of things much easier.”

For Cameron, the overall improvement in efficiency is what stands out most, with better visibility across technicians, service advisors, and workshop management.

When asked what he would say to another garage owner considering TechMan, his recommendation is simple:

“Go for it.”