Work Orders: 6 Features You’re Likely Not Using

When completing work orders, do you just fill out the basic information to get the job submitted quickly? While listing the vehicle defect, assigning a mechanic, adding parts, and other information will ensure the job gets done, there are additional WO features that can help make your fleet operation more efficient.  

The RTA trainers called out these six tools as the most under-utilized WO features in the RTA Fleet Management Software system: 

History Review Snapshot: This pops up when you add a job line. Users might overlook it when quickly filling out information, but it can provide valuable information. 

Calculate Hours in Labor: This feature can be handy, especially if you’re not using Paperless Shop. You will need to track start and stop times on a job to utilize this.  

Parts Catalog: Turning on this switch in RTA gives users a heads up on previous parts used on a series of vehicles over time against the VMRS code.  

Vehicle Drill Down: This button – located next to the Unit Number at the top of the work order in RTA – lets you drill down to the full vehicle record and history (in a read-only format). This can provide a lot of useful information right from the WO. 

Brake Inspections: If set up correctly, you can proactively run historical reports on brake inspections and get a concise list of vehicles that will need brake jobs soon. This allows your parts room to buy the needed parts ahead of time and prepares your shop for the upcoming services. 

Previous Record and Next Record: This tool – which was just released – lets you easily scroll through work orders.