Getting started

This guide takes a brand-new account from signup to a closed invoice. Each step links to the full article if you want more detail.

1. Create your account #

1. Go to fluxshopmanager.com/signup, or pick a plan on the pricing page to start a 14-day trial of Standard or Pro with no card.
2. Enter your business name, email, and a password, and click Create account.
3. Open the email we send and click Verify my email, then log in.

Signing up creates your organization, your owner login, and a first store named after your business, already stocked with the standard item types, three tax rates at 0%, and the usual payment methods.

2. Work through the checklist #

The Get set up card on the Dashboard lists seven steps. Tick each one off as you go; it disappears when all seven are done.

Store details #

Open Settings, click Edit Store Details, and fill in your address, phone, email, and Labor Rate. Upload your logo with Change Logo. These print on every customer copy. Store details

Tax rates #

Still in Settings, edit the Parts, Labor, and Fees rates to your local sales tax. Nothing is taxed until you do. Tax rates

Payment methods #

The defaults (cash, check, the major cards, and a house account) cover most shops. Add or rename methods to match your till. Payment methods

Team members #

Add your technicians and advisors so you can put their names on tickets and run the productivity report. Team members

Inventory #

On the Standard and Pro plans, add the parts and tires you stock, or enter your opening stock as a vendor invoice. Skip this on Free. Managing inventory

First customer and first work order #

Covered in the next two steps.

3. Write your first work order #

1. Click New Work Order.
2. Search for the customer by name or phone. For a new customer, click Add New, enter their details, save, and then click the select button on the new row. Customers and contacts
3. Pick or add the vehicle. Choose the year, then type the VIN and click Decode to fill in the make, model, and engine. Vehicles
4. Add line items: parts, labor, fees, or a discount. Labor lines pick up your labor rate. Line items
5. Click Save. The ticket appears on the Dashboard under its status.

Creating a work order walks through every field.

4. Invoice it #

Open the ticket from the Dashboard, confirm the lines and totals, click Invoice, record how the customer paid, and click Close Ticket. The invoice prints automatically. Invoicing and payments

5. Add your staff #

Give each person who will use Flux their own login under User Accounts, with the role and store access they need. User accounts and roles

Next steps #

• Connect your website's booking form so requests land on the Dashboard. Website appointments
• On Pro, turn on service reminders so declined work comes back. Service reminders
• Run Posted Totals by Invoice at the end of your first day. Reports