I grew up around the car repair business—my dad owned and operated his own body shop. One of my favorite memories? When the Mac Tools or Snap-On truck would pull up outside. We’d climb in, check out the latest shiny tools, and the rep always had something new and exciting to show us.
Even though my dad is now retired, he still has all those tools—and I’ve built up a pretty solid collection of my own. But there’s one tool that just collects dust at the bottom of my toolbox: an old hand drill.
Why? It still works. It drills holes just fine. But these days, I reach for my Dewalt or Milwaukee power drill. They’re faster, easier, and more efficient. When you’re drilling multiple holes, pulling a trigger just makes more sense than cranking a handle.
Are You Still Using the “Hand Drill” in Your Dealership?
This got me thinking: too many dealerships are still using the “hand drill” approach when they don’t have to.
We recently surveyed dealerships and found that over 50% of respondents still enter flat rate codes manually into repair orders. That’s like picking up a hand drill every time, even though there’s a better way right there on the shelf.
Before power drills, we didn’t have another option. But today, power drills are a $10 billion industry (as of 2020) and are projected to hit $13.6 billion by 2027. Why? Because people invest in tools that save time and effort.
Better Tools Mean Better Results
The same concept applies to your dealership’s technology stack. At Lightspeed, we’re focused on giving you tools that remove friction from daily tasks. That means:
- No more duplicate data entry
- Faster repair order workflows
- Simplified communication with manufacturers
- More time with customers
We’ve built industry-leading OEM and distributor integrations across sales, service, and parts. These integrations aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential tools for boosting dealership efficiency and profitability.
Stop Doing Things the Hard Way
If your team is still entering the same codes manually or switching between disconnected systems, it’s time for an upgrade. Your competitors are using integrations to do more with less—and your team should be too.
Head over to our Partners Page to see just how many integrations are available to you—organized by department, industry, and function. You might be surprised how many time-saving tools you already have access to… but aren’t using yet.
It’s Time to Power Up
Let’s stop cranking the handle and start pulling the trigger. If your team is still stuck with “hand tools” when better options exist, now’s the time to upgrade. Your competitors are already streamlining operations and freeing up their employees to focus on customers—not screens.
👉 Want to see how it works? Register now for our free webinar
Unlocking Efficiency: Lightspeed Integrations 101
Wednesday, June 25 @ 11:00 am CST
It’s time to trade the hand drill for a power tool. Let’s work smarter together.
Jeremy Johnson
I'm a seasoned veteran in the powersport, marine, and RV industries with over 25 years of experience. I've spent a significant amount of that time in the digital and website space, and I absolutely love it. I recently celebrated my three-year anniversary at Lightspeed, where I get to work with OEMs and dealers and help them succeed in the digital world. When I'm not at work, I enjoy traveling with my family, watching my kids' sporting events, and exploring the beautiful outdoors of Northern Minnesota through hunting and fishing. I'm incredibly passionate about what I do, and I love sharing that passion with others. Whether it's working with my team at Lightspeed or spending time with my family, I'm always up for an adventure.
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