More connected workflows, clearer costing and less time spent on repeat admin. Our 26.1, 26.2 and 26.3 releases bring practical improvements across Sales, Service, Parts and Accounts, with many changes shaped directly by customer feedback. From creating purchase orders within a deal to understanding how workshop time is spent, here’s a closer look at what’s changed and how it can help your team.

Sales: More Process within the Deal

Create Repair Orders and supplier Purchase Orders from My Deal II

Preparing add-ons now involves fewer steps. Sales teams can create Repair Orders for internal add-ons and supplier Purchase Orders for externally sourced items directly from My Deal II, with details pre-populated from the deal.

New fields show the source, supplier, associated RO or PO number, and status against each add-on, making it easier to follow progress without switching between programs.

See what changed, when and who changed it.

New Audit tabs in My Deal II, Stock Unit Maintenance and Prospect Maintenance give users access to change history within the screen they’re working in. Field-level comparisons show previous and updated values, helping teams investigate changes to pricing, stock details and customer opportunities. Access follows the relevant permissions.

A standalone Module Audit Report also supports broader reviews across Stock and Sales.

Keep individual specifications with the right unit.

Two trucks or tractors can share a model code but have different build details. Specification documents can now be attached when a stock unit is received and automatically copied into My Deal II when that unit is added to a deal.

Salespeople can open and print those documents for customers. If the unit is removed from the deal, its copied specifications are removed too, helping keep the paperwork relevant to the unit being sold.

More control over stock records and delivery details.

New settings allow selected stock fields, including franchise, line of business and arrival dates, to be locked after a unit is created. Vehicle location can also be updated through Customer Delivery Management when enabled, helping teams keep track of units during delivery preparation.

Open deals can now be transferred from terminated salespeople without temporarily changing their employment status.

Service: Clearer Costs Before the Invoice Goes Out

Make Standard Pricing easier to review.

Enhanced Standard Pricing brings estimated and actual job charges into clearer view. Colour-coded indicators highlight differences and items requiring attention, such as missing technician labour, back-ordered parts or missing sublet purchase orders.

For Capped Price Service jobs, a new estimate distribution function uses the associated parts value and allocates the remaining amount to labour, reducing manual calculation.

Protect agreed job costing.

The new Job Lock function lets service advisors lock a cost job code to prevent further charges being applied. Depending on your configuration, locks can cover labour, parts, sublet or a combination of these.

This helps teams preserve agreed costing as other workshop activity continues.

Bring internal add-on costs closer to the deal.

Internal Repair Order invoicing now displays the My Deal cost estimate against the relevant job code and warns when the invoice value differs from that estimate.

Add-on allocations are pre-populated from job-code invoice totals, with a clearer breakdown for advisors to review before confirming. This reduces repeat entry and makes differences between expected and invoiced costs easier to identify.

Understand the time beyond customer jobs.

Training, meetings, cleaning and other activities are part of a technician’s day. New Unproductive Time Clocking allows these activities to be recorded through Technician Time Recording and managed through Service Daily Time Sheet Input.

Managers can include these records in productivity and attendance reporting or use the dedicated Unproductivity Report to review hours, costs and comments. Support in Tech Mobile is planned for a future feature release.

Reduce everyday service admin.

Several improvements make routine tasks easier:

• Change the job type across multiple job codes in one action.
• Record customer-declined jobs and reinstate them if the customer changes their mind or a job was declined accidentally.
• Assign attachments, such as service checklists, to multiple job codes in a single bulk update.
• Open invoice reprints or move to Repair Order invoicing directly from Service Purchase Order Enquiry.
• Distribute Service Invoice Reversal credit notes directly from the reversal process.

The releases also address issues affecting timesheet entry, technician schedules, job-code copying, customer notes and service history.

Parts: Better Visibility & Smoother Handling

Parts & Service working from the same information.

Service deposits are now visible in Service Parts Issue Entry, giving Parts staff access to deposit information while processing a service job.

Parts transfers between Repair Orders have also been refined, including job-code selection and bulk transfers between job codes on the same RO.

Back-order progress updates have been improved so configured Repair Order statuses more accurately reflect whether parts are still outstanding or have all been released.

Catch potential mistakes earlier.

A duplicate part-number warning has been added to Parts Sales Order & Invoicing. Receipting controls also include warnings for previously purchased serial numbers and an option to restrict branch selection, helping teams avoid receiving stock into the wrong branch.

Ordering controls prevent purchase orders being raised against closed suppliers, with additional protections in daily order generation for suppliers on hold.

Make stock & order information easier to use.

Where configured, available bin quantities are now displayed for branch transfers in Out of Stock Resolution.

Other improvements support partial receipts, multiple supplier invoices against a purchase order, serial and batch parts on back order, and more accurate parts-return allocation. Gross profit calculations now correctly include freight entered through the freight field.

Parts can also be sold directly to a fixed asset without first raising a Repair Order.

Accounts: Clearer Allocation & More Reliable Reporting

Handle multi-unit purchases one unit at a time.

New multi-unit stock Purchase Orders created from version 26.3 can give each unit its own PO number, linked under a shared delivery docket.

When a supplier invoices only part of the order, Accounts can select the specific units covered by that invoice. Stock unit numbers and group highlighting provide context without requiring the whole order to be invoiced together.

A new copy function also lets teams copy cost types, values and add-ons across units on the same purchase order, reducing repeat entry. Existing purchase orders retain their original structure.

Improve banking and reconciliation workflows.

Updates across bank automation and payment processing include improved matching when transaction narratives are blank, clearer transaction-date visibility and support for additional debtor-payment scenarios.

EFT transfer references are now included in ABA files generated through GL Cheque Entry, while longer export paths are supported in Direct Entry Banking.

Make financial information more dependable.

The releases address debtor ageing for prior-period transactions, BAS reporting issues involving Advanced Tax Rules and duplicated GST values, and attachment retention when creditor invoices are archived.

Reporting improvements also restore the Excel Format 2 export option and resolve Excel export issues affecting nested Part Invoice Register reports.

Debtor records can now be searched by landline or mobile number, helping staff locate accounts when a name or code isn’t readily available.

Administration: Less Time Maintaining Access

Update staff menus in bulk.

Administrators can now add or remove programs across multiple staff menu profiles in one operation. This simplifies rolling out access to new functionality across a site.

Make staff setup easier.

A new copy function in Salesperson Maintenance provides a starting point for new profiles. Contact records can also be created directly from User Maintenance, reducing the need to move between screens during setup.

Give document emails a more personal touch.

Contact Document Distribution now supports image-based email signatures and a longer introduction field, helping customer and supplier communications carry clearer branding and context.

Make the Most of Your Updates

There’s plenty to explore across these three releases, whether your priority is reducing manual entry, reviewing costs more easily or improving visibility between departments.

Read the full release notes for 26.1, 26.2 and 26.3, and share the relevant sections with your team. For help understanding or enabling a feature, contact Auto-IT.

Some features require configuration or user permissions to be enabled. Please refer to the release notes or contact Auto-IT for guidance.

Product Manager, Parul Tomar | Making Technology Work Better for Dealers

For Parul Tomar, great software starts with understanding the people who use it. As our Product Manager for Web Apps, she helps turn real dealership challenges into practical solutions that make everyday work easier.

Now celebrating five years with Auto-IT, Parul began her journey as a Business Analyst before progressing into her current role, overseeing products including Tech Mobile, Driveway Express and Stock Assist.

Working closely with developers, testers, support teams and fellow product managers, she helps shape product roadmaps, prioritise new features and ensure solutions meet customers’ needs.

“It’s practical. You can see the impact of your work,” Parul says, reflecting on what first attracted her to Auto-IT.

One of her most rewarding projects involved automating technicians’ overtime calculations, replacing time-consuming manual processes with a more efficient solution. The project required extensive coordination across several Auto-IT products, making its successful delivery particularly satisfying.

Parul also highlights something customers rarely see: the considerable effort behind even seemingly minor software enhancements. A single new button can involve changes to applications, databases and APIs, followed by extensive testing across multiple devices and platforms.

Looking ahead, she’s particularly excited about bringing Auto-IT’s applications closer together and exploring how AI can help deliver smarter, simpler solutions.

Beyond work, Parul loves celebrating life’s big and small moments with family and friends — preferably with a little Bollywood music and dancing!

Watch our interview with Parul to learn more about her journey, the people behind Auto-IT’s technology and her vision for the future of dealership software.

Meet Munique, our new Marketing Manager

Munique joined Auto-IT in August, bringing a master’s degree in Business and Marketing from Brazil and more than nine years of SaaS experience across a range of industries in Australia.

Her arrival reflects our continued investment in you, our customers, strengthening how we communicate, share knowledge, and help you get more value from your relationship with Auto-IT. Her focus is on keeping you connected to useful updates, practical resources and opportunities to learn, while making it easier to share your feedback and help shape what comes next.

“For me, good marketing starts with listening. I’m looking forward to getting to know our customers, understanding what matters to them and making sure our communications reflect their needs.” ~ Munique de Azevedo

Originally from Brazil and now based in Melbourne, Munique enjoys learning languages, spending time by the water and getting outdoors with her two dogs, Toastie and Muffin.

Kicking off in early 2027, SUMMIT will be our biggest-ever user group conference! For the first time, we are bringing clients from all industries in each region together to connect and learn, then breaking into unique plenary sessions for specialised, department-focused learning.

Lock in your local dates now!

Spread over two days, with lots of sessions, lots of new solutions, and as always, lots of great connections, SUMMIT is one event you can’t miss! Lock your local dates in your diary now!

Melbourne, AU | April 20-21, 2027
Wellington, NZ | May 11-12, 2027
Southeast Asia | Oct 11-12 2027

Here’s what some of our past attendees of our user group events have said:

“Fantastic event, very well run, great presenters, good location, excellent content.”

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“Fantastic event! Well worth the time, and a great opportunity to see what’s new on the way. I also place a fair amount of importance on putting a face to a name – the perfect environment to do that. Well done Auto-IT!”

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“Was a great conference! Took a lot away from it.”

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“I found the conference great. We learned things where we could get wins today as well as learn what to expect in the future. Look forward to the next one.”

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More details coming soon!

Members of our team recently travelled to Whistler, Canada, for the EPIC Conference, where they joined colleagues from across Perseus Group and Constellation Software to share ideas, learn from one another, and build stronger connections.

Auto-IT was part of the conversation, with Alla Keogh presenting on our employee value proposition and Rohan Duncan sharing insights on AI, business intelligence and using data to support better decision-making. It was an opportunity to contribute our own experience and learn from the challenges and successes of other software businesses.

For our customers, being part of Constellation Software means we can draw on a wider network of expertise, resources and proven approaches to keep developing and growing, while retaining Auto-IT’s identity and the relationships that make us who we are. Constellation’s philosophy is to buy and never sell, supporting its businesses to evolve and succeed over the long term.

We’re making the most of that support, bringing fresh thinking back to Auto-IT and exploring how it can translate into useful improvements, new capabilities and better experiences for our customers.

We’re continuing to develop PMDS to simplify everyday dealership tasks. Here’s a look at the features available now, the features coming in the next release, and how the roadmap is shaping up.

Available Now

Stock Information at Your Fingertips

With the Stock Assist mobile app, your team can check vehicle availability and stock details wherever they are. Easily retrieve vehicles by scanning the VIN barcode, entering the last 6 digits of the VIN, or using other reference numbers such as order number or rego. You can also capture photos and notes, and update vehicle locations directly from your phone.

Service Quotes Connected to Your Bookings

Create service estimates in Kaizen Bookings using your DMS pricing. You can add or remove parts and sundries, follow up on open quotes with reminders, and convert accepted quotes straight into bookings.

A Smoother Handover From Sales to F&I

F&I Introductions connects Sales and Business Managers through a shared workflow for customer opportunities. Teams can manage finance and insurance quotes, share notes and bring customer selections back into the deal, making it easier to follow up consistently, convert more F&I opportunities and leave less money on the table.

These features are part of PMDS R7.2 / Web v3.3.

Next Release

More Flexibility for Technicians

Our Tech Mobile app brings attendance and labour clocking, photos and condition comments to your technicians’ phones. It works without a VPN and supports offline clocking that syncs later, so technicians can keep working in the workshop and out in the field.

Customer Conversations Within PMDS

Two-way SMS, available through Intelli, lets your team see customer replies within bookings, sales opportunities and F&I introductions. A new Conversations app and notifications help you keep track of messages that need attention.

Plus a Large Number of System Improvements

This release also includes many improvements across Sales, Service, Parts and Admin, including:

• Remittance advice emailed automatically when direct credit payments are created
• A line counter on stock orders in Modify Recommended Reorder
• More control over the auto-updating customer email prompts
• Staff names shown in Staff Master Maintenance, with a lookup for PO authorisers
• Deal CDM Checklists can now be created and maintained from within WebCRM Department Control
• Column and row headings that stay visible when scrolling the Kaizen Calendar
• Some great improvements to both Stock Assist & F&I Introductions

These features are part of PMDS R7.3 / Web v3.4. Contact your CSM or Support Team to schedule your R7.3 upgrade.

Our Roadmap

Faster, Smarter Invoice Processing

R7.4 / Web v3.5 brings Enable AP Workflow to PMDS. Capabilities include capturing invoice data from emailed PDFs, reviewing purchase orders and managing permission-based approvals, with notifications and a clear approval history. Accounts payable is completely streamlined from inbox to approval and posting.

Purchase Orders via Web

The same release includes a Web Purchasing app to create, preview and email purchase orders, with access based on each user’s purchasing authority. It also delivers fantastic efficiencies with sublet purchase order creation from within Kaizen.

More Everyday Tasks in Kaizen and Your Browser

For R7.5 / Web v4.0, planned capabilities include Kaizen v3.0, which brings repair order costing and more service tasks to the web. We’re also planning browser access to PMDS through WebTerm, and a Web Bank Reconciler with statement imports and matching tools.

Roadmap features and timing may change. Some features are opt-in add-ons, and many have onboarding requirements.

There is a great deal happening across the PMDS product space, with several new features and enhancements either recently released, entering pilot, or planned for upcoming releases. Together, these developments are focused on helping dealerships improve efficiency, reduce manual effort, and create more connected workflows across key areas of the business.

Tech Mobile Entering Pilot

One of the key upcoming additions is Tech Mobile, a native mobile application designed for technicians.

Tech Mobile will allow technicians to use their phone for key activities such as technician clocking and attendance, making it especially useful for technicians working off-site or away from a traditional workstation.

This functionality is now approaching pilot stage, and we look forward to working with customers as it moves through the next phase of testing and refinement.

Conversations: Two-Way SMS in PMDS

Also coming soon is Conversations, a new desktop application designed to streamline customer communication.

Conversations enables two-way SMS messaging directly within PMDS, allowing customer responses to flow back into the DMS and be linked to relevant transactions.

This will help dealerships keep communication more centralised, visible, and connected to the customer record, reducing the need to manage messages across separate systems or devices.

Enable AP Workflow and Purchase Order Management

Another major area of development is Enable AP Workflow, our accounts payable processing solution, which is also moving into pilot.

Enable AP Workflow uses AI-driven document scanning to help simplify the processing, approval, and management of supplier documents. It is designed to support easier document approvals, while helping link documents to invoices and purchase orders.

To complement Enable AP Workflow, we are also introducing a new web-based Purchase Order Management module. Together, these solutions are designed to streamline AP and purchasing activity within the dealership, reducing manual administration and helping teams manage the process more efficiently.

KAIZEN V3: Expanding Browser-Based RO Processing

Looking further ahead, KAIZEN V3 is targeted for release later this year and represents an important step forward in bringing more functionality into the browser-based KAIZEN environment.

A key focus of KAIZEN V3 is complete repair order processing within KAIZEN, including RO costing. This has been one of the most requested areas of functionality from customers, and development is progressing well.

By bringing more of the RO process into KAIZEN, customers will be able to perform more day-to-day service operations through a modern web browser experience.

Recently Released: KAIZEN Quoting and F&I Introductions

In addition to the upcoming functionality, several new features have already been released.

The KAIZEN Quoting module is now available and has been receiving strong feedback from customers. If you have not yet explored this module, we encourage you to take a closer look.

Also recently released is F&I Introductions, an F&I product management and opportunity tracking tool. This module is available free for all users and provides another way for dealerships to manage opportunities more effectively within PMDS.

Ongoing Practical Improvements

Across Tech Mobile, Conversations, Enable AP Workflow, Purchase Order Management, KAIZEN V3, KAIZEN Quoting, and F&I Introductions, the focus remains consistent: delivering practical tools that help dealerships work more efficiently, communicate more effectively, and manage more of their operations through modern, connected applications.

We look forward to continuing to deliver these enhancements and working with customers as these new solutions move into pilot and release.

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Register for the upcoming PMDS® Update webinar.

We recently asked Oliver Sinclair, Director Financial Controller of Super Groups, about his experience using Enable AP Workflow — and the feedback was emphatic. From faster invoice processing and improved purchase order matching to fewer manual errors and stronger visibility over liabilities, Oliver explained how Enable AP Workflow has helped transform the accounts payable process within his dealership group.

Oliver shared how Enable AP Workflow has helped transform the way his team manages accounts payable — from invoice capture and purchase order matching through to duplicate detection, supplier payments, remote processing, and day-to-day financial visibility. His feedback was clear:

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“Get on board. You won’t regret it and you won’t look back. You’ll just say, ‘Why didn’t I do this sooner?’”

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Reducing Manual Entry and Human Error

One of the biggest advantages of Enable AP Workflow is the way it reduces manual invoice entry. Invoices can be uploaded directly into Enable AP Workflow, where key information is preloaded automatically. The system helps identify the creditor, match the ABN, check bank account details, and populate invoice information for review.

For Oliver’s team, this has significantly reduced the chance of invoices being entered against the wrong supplier, with the system helping prevent incorrect invoice numbers, duplicate invoices, and incorrect dates or due dates.

As Oliver explained:

“There’s really no need to enter data anymore. You just have to check what’s preloaded and make sure it’s correct.”

Better Purchase Order Matching

Enable AP Workflow also supports more accurate matching between invoices and purchase orders. When an invoice relates to a preloaded purchase order, the system helps connect the relevant information. If the expected purchase order is not available, that can act as an early warning sign that something may need further investigation.

This helps dealership teams identify potential issues before invoices are processed, rather than discovering problems later.

Saving Time Every Day

The efficiency gains have been significant. According to Oliver, Enable AP Workflow is saving approximately three to four hours per day in accounts payable processing. That speed is especially valuable when an invoice needs to be entered quickly during a process such as bank reconciliation.

“You’re probably saving three or four hours a day just in processing your accounts payable.”

Because the solution is cloud-based, the process works consistently whether team members are in the office, working from home, or working remotely.

Improving Supplier Payments and Visibility

By allowing invoices to be processed close to the day they are received, Enable AP Workflow gives finance teams a more accurate and up-to-date view of their accounts payable position. This supports more timely supplier payments, improves visibility over liabilities, and gives dealerships a clearer snapshot of where they stand financially.

As Oliver put it:

“Your accounts payable is a far more accurate snapshot of where your liability sits.”

A Practical Upgrade for Dealership Finance Teams

For dealerships using Auto-IT or EQUIP, Enable AP Workflow provides a practical way to modernise accounts payable processing, reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and give valuable time back to finance teams.

Oliver summed up the impact simply:

“If you’re using Auto-IT or EQUIP, you really need to get on board with it. You won’t regret it.”

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Learn more about Enable AP Workflow.