Is it best to start by computerizing only the accounting system then tackling the inventory control later?
A Computerizing the accounting functions will have a very small impact on your profitability. In some very rare cases, it may even REDUCE your profitability, but that will be controllable by your using the system. On the other hand, inventory is your number one asset (if in a service business even more important are your service personnel) and managing them well is a key factor to business success. In a service business, like auto service, it’s absolutely necessary to survive, let alone make a profit. Some systems offer both inventory control and accounting modules but lots of successful retailers use completely different/unrelated systems for each one. This is because software that tries to do it all usually ends up doing some of it badly, and the few that don’t do some of it badly, are extremely expensive. If you computerize your sales management and inventory control first you will get a much better return on your system’s investment. Timely details about sales, inventory, invoicing
