# Settings Gap Analysis — ShopProQuote vs. Industry Standards

Analysis conducted 2026-06-28 comparing current SPQ settings against features in leading auto repair
shop management systems (Tekmetric, Shopmonkey, Mitchell1, Orderry).

## Current SPQ Settings (what exists)

### Account Settings modal
- Profile (email, display name)
- Security (change password)
- Preferences (email notifications toggle, auto-save forms toggle)

### Site Configuration modal
- Display: dashboard refresh rate, items per page
- Notifications: desktop notifications, sound alerts, critical alerts, notify-before-promised
- System: timezone select (4 US zones)

### appSettings object (settings.js)
- Business Info: businessName, businessAddress, businessPhone
- Service Advisor: serviceAdvisor, advisorPhone
- Financial: taxRate (single rate), shopChargeRate (single percentage)
- Quote Messages: headerMessage, footerMessage, estimateValidDays, warrantyText, termsText
- Quote Appearance: quoteTitle, quoteSubtitle, quoteFooterNote
- Parts: defaultPartsDeliveryMessage
- Shop Charge: shopChargeExplanation
- System: darkMode, refreshRate, itemsPerPage, desktopNotifications, soundAlerts, criticalAlerts, notifyBeforePromised, timezone, autoSaveForms

## Ranked Gap Suggestions

### 1. Labor Rate Configuration (HIGH)
SPQ has no labor rate field at all — quotes use a `lineTotal` manually. Industry standard is tiered rates.
- Standard rate, diagnostic rate, specialty rate
- Per-service-item rate override
- Honda context: timing belts, valve adjustments, VTEC diagnostics command premium

### 2. Parts Markup & Pricing Rules (HIGH)
Only a single taxRate and shopChargeRate exist. No parts markup configuration.
- Default markup percentage
- Tiered/matrix markup (higher % on cheap parts)
- OEM vs. aftermarket toggle
- Show/hide parts cost on customer PDF

### 3. Payment & Invoicing Defaults (HIGH)
Only `termsText` free-text field. No structured payment config.
- Accepted payment methods
- Deposit percentage for large jobs
- Invoice numbering (prefix, starting number)
- Due date offset

### 4. Appointment Configuration (HIGH)
No appointment settings except notify-before-promised.
- Default duration, buffer time, daily max
- Appointment color coding by type
- Auto-transition to RO on arrival

### 5. Vehicle Info Field Config (MEDIUM-HIGH)
No vehicle field configuration at all.
- Required vs. optional fields (VIN, plate, mileage, engine)
- VIN auto-decode toggle
- Honda-specific: transmission type (CVT/auto/manual), VTEC variant

### 6. Customer Communication Templates (MEDIUM)
No template system for automated customer messages.
- Appointment confirmation, vehicle ready, follow-up, service reminder
- Template variables: {customerName}, {vehicleInfo}, {appointmentDate}, etc.
- Send method: email, SMS, or both

### 7. Repair Order Status Workflow (MEDIUM-HIGH)
No configurable status workflow.
- Custom status labels and colors
- Mandatory checklist before completion
- Auto-status triggers

### 8. Warranty & Guarantee Config (MEDIUM)
Only free-text `warrantyText`. No structured warranty.
- Parts warranty (months/miles)
- Labor warranty (months/miles)
- Per-service overrides
- Disclaimer text

### 9. Inventory Stock Thresholds (MEDIUM)
Only `defaultPartsDeliveryMessage`. No stock management settings.
- Low-stock alert threshold
- Critical-stock threshold
- Auto-add to shopping list

### 10. Data Retention & Privacy (LOW-MEDIUM)
No data retention or privacy settings.
- Customer record retention period
- Auto-archive completed ROs
- Data export format / anonymization toggle

## Industry Sources Consulted

- Utility Mobile Apps: "50 Must-Have Features for Any Auto Repair Software" (2021)
- Automotive Management Network: "100 Must-Have Features" checklist
- Orderry: "Top 10 Features for Repair Shop Software in 2026"
- Tekmetric feature comparison pages
- Shopmonkey feature pages
- Mitchell1 product pages