CARRUSLiNK

    Guide · Workshop planning software

    Workshop planning software: use capacity without overbooking

    Most workshops are either overbooked (technicians working overtime, customers waiting) or underutilized (gaps in the schedule while customers are turned away). Workshop planning software makes the difference by knowing technicians' actual available hours, skills, and average job durations — distributing bookings automatically.

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    Kort svar (TL;DR)

    Workshop planning software must know: technician shift schedules and skills, estimated durations for service types, workstations and lifts, and parts inventory. With this data, the system can auto-assign jobs, optimize the schedule, and flag bottlenecks. CARRUSLiNK delivers planning as part of the platform, fully integrated with your workshop management system and booking.

    This is what poor planning looks like

    • Mechanic works overtime on a car while another lift stands empty
    • Service type takes 3 hours, but only 1 hour is allocated
    • Spare parts are not ordered, the car sits idle for 2 days
    • Workshop manager plans manually on Monday morning, no one knows the week in advance
    • Vacation and sick leave are handled ad-hoc
    • No report on actual vs. planned time

    7-step playbook for digital workshop planning

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    1. Shift schedule and skills per mechanic

    Each mechanic has a shift schedule (hours per day), skills (brand, types), and productive time (typically 6-7 out of 8 hours).

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    2. Service types with estimated time

    Each service type (oil change, tyre change, brakes, inspection) has an average time based on history. Estimates update automatically.

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    3. Workstations and lifts

    Each lift has capacity, types (light, heavy, short, long), and a calendar. The system allocates both mechanic and lift.

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    4. Spare parts linked to the order

    Upon booking, the system checks if spare parts are in stock. If not, they are ordered automatically with a delivery date. Bookings are only accepted if parts arrive in time.

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    5. Auto-assignment of jobs

    Each booking is automatically assigned a mechanic, lift, and time slot based on rules. The workshop manager reviews the week, not each booking.

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    6. Real-time status during work

    Mechanic logs start/stop per job on an iPad. The reception sees the status and can inform the customer about the expected completion time.

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    7. Report on actual vs. planned

    Which service types take longer than estimated? Which mechanics are fastest at what? Use data for continuous optimization.

    What you get with digital workshop planning

    The week planned in advance

    Workshop manager sees the entire week on Monday morning, not planning one day at a time.

    Mechanic matched to job

    Brand, skill, speed. No 'I haven't done this before' surprises.

    Spare parts in place

    Auto-ordering and delivery date linked to booking.

    Auto-assignment saves planning time

    Workshop manager reviews the week, not each booking. Saves 5-10 hours per week.

    Mechanic logs in on iPad

    Real-time status without paper job cards. Reception sees where the car is.

    Actual vs planned time

    Use data to adjust estimates and identify bottlenecks.

    Manual workshop manager scheduling vs software

    AreaManual schedulingWorkshop scheduling software (CARRUSLiNK)
    SchedulingMester mandag morgenAuto, ugen frem
    Mekaniker-tildelingManuelAuto based on skillset
    Lift-allokeringRandomAuto based on capacity
    ReservedeleTjekkes manueltAuto-bestilling + leverings-dato
    Realtids-statusPapir-seddeliPad-log
    Vacation and sick leaveAd-hocAuto-omfordeling
    RapportIngenFaktisk vs planlagt
    TidsspildHighLavt

    Frequently asked questions about workshop scheduling software

    Plan the week instead of the day

    30-min demo. We set up shift schedules, technician skills, and service types live, showing how auto-allocation saves 5–10 hours per week.