Diagnostic Services & Repairs Enhances Workshop Control and Productivity Using TechMan
DSR, based in Leighton Buzzard and owned by Mark Fathers, has been operating for over 23 years. Starting out in a single unit, the business has grown significantly and now runs eight ramps with seven technicians and an office team — twelve staff in total. Specialising predominantly in German vehicles, the workshop has expanded steadily over the years, requiring systems that can keep pace with a larger team and higher workload.
Before adopting TechMan, DSR were using a system that had served them well initially but began to fall short as the business grew. With more staff and more vehicles coming through the workshop, Mark needed a management system that could support their expansion and help keep operations running smoothly.
Mark explains that their previous system worked adequately in the early days, but once the business started growing, it could no longer keep up. Managing jobs, coordinating technicians, and maintaining oversight became increasingly difficult as the team expanded.
“The old system we used to have was a good system, but it didn’t work once we started getting more staff,” he says.
With multiple technicians, a busy office team, and an increasing number of jobs coming in, DSR needed a more powerful and scalable solution.
After hearing about TechMan, Mark and a member of his office team travelled to Northampton to see the system in action. They were impressed by both the software and the team delivering it and quickly saw how it could help streamline their growing operation.
“We liked what we saw, liked the team that were delivering it as well, and it’s been good ever since,” Mark recalls.
Getting started with TechMan was straightforward. Mark describes the training as friendly and clear, and the system itself as easy to learn.
“The training was good, everyone’s really friendly, and the system was relatively easy to use,”
He explains. Within a couple of weeks, the team were confidently up and running.
Since adopting TechMan, DSR has experienced significant improvements across the workshop — particularly with a larger team.
He also acknowledges that their growing team would be much harder to manage without TechMan.
“Yes, we’ve got more people now as well, but without TechMan it would be hard to manage the extra staff that we’ve got.”
The system has supported their expansion and continues to do so as they prepare to grow again next year.
“Everything’s just gone hand-in-hand and made the business what it is today — and we’re expanding again next year.”
Mark describes TechMan’s ongoing support as consistently strong.
“Support’s always good. If you phone through to somebody, someone will get straight back to you,” he says.
He adds that any issues — which he notes have been “few and far between” — are resolved quickly, often through remote access to the system.
For Mark and the team at DSR, TechMan has become an essential tool that supports a larger workforce, keeps operations organised, and prepares the business for future growth.
Mark’s advice to other garages is clear:
“If you’re on an old system, or if you’re not even using a computer-based system, then you need something like TechMan to move forward.”
He adds that for any garage with more than two or three staff, a system like TechMan — and TechMan in particular — is “essential really to move forward.”
“I would definitely recommend it,” Mark concludes.
From happier technicians and service advisors, to seriously satisfied customers, our all-in-one garage management software delivers clear benefits.
Explore TechMan in real-time in a working garage and see how our extensive integrations can simplify your operations and save hours of time every day.
