Welcome to RAD Repairs, the all-in-one repair shop management software designed to streamline your computer repair, phone repair, or electronics service business. Whether you are setting up a brand new repair shop or transitioning from another system, this comprehensive quick start guide will help you configure your account and start taking repair tickets immediately. By following these step-by-step instructions, you will have a fully operational repair management system ready to serve your customers in no time.

Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

Complete these essential steps to configure RAD Repairs for your repair business. When you first log in, the Welcome Wizard will guide you through the initial setup automatically. The wizard covers profile setup, business information, theme customization, team members, payment processing, and optional data migration.

Initial Login and Navigation

Understanding the RAD Repairs interface is essential for working efficiently and getting the most out of the software. This section provides a comprehensive overview of the main navigation areas, how to find what you need quickly, and tips for customizing your workspace to match your workflow preferences.

Logging In for the First Time

When you first receive your RAD Repairs account credentials, you will get a welcome email containing your login information. Follow these steps to access your account:

1. Open your web browser and navigate to your RAD Repairs login page (your-subdomain.radrepairs.com or your custom domain).
2. Enter your email address and the temporary password provided in your welcome email.
3. Set your new password when prompted. The system will guide you through creating a secure password.
4. Complete the Welcome Wizard which appears automatically after your first login. This guides you through setting up your profile, business information, theme preferences, team members, payment processing, and optional data migration from Syncro MSP.

Understanding the Dashboard

After successfully logging in, you will land on the Dashboard - your central command center for daily repair shop operations. The dashboard is designed to give you an immediate overview of everything happening in your business so you can prioritize your time effectively. Here is what you will find on the dashboard:

• Ticket Overview: A comprehensive view of open tickets, tickets requiring immediate attention, tickets waiting on customer response, and recently completed repairs. Color-coded status indicators help you quickly identify urgent items.
• Revenue Summary: Real-time financial metrics showing today's revenue, this week's earnings, and month-to-date totals. Compare against previous periods to track your business growth and identify trends.
• Quick Actions: Convenient one-click buttons for performing common tasks such as creating new tickets, adding customers, generating invoices, and accessing reports. These shortcuts save valuable time during busy periods.
• Activity Feed: A live stream of recent activities including ticket status changes, new customer registrations, invoice payments, and team member actions. Stay informed about what is happening across your entire operation.
• Upcoming Tasks: A list of scheduled follow-ups, upcoming appointments, and tickets with approaching deadlines so nothing falls through the cracks.

Main Navigation and Menu Structure

The sidebar navigation provides organized access to all RAD Repairs features and functions. Understanding this structure will help you navigate efficiently and find any feature you need within seconds. Here are the key sections you will use most frequently:

• Dashboard: Your home base displaying overview statistics, performance metrics, and quick action buttons for common tasks.
• Tickets: Access all repair tickets with powerful filtering, searching, sorting, and bulk action capabilities. Create new tickets and manage the entire repair workflow from this section.
• Customers: Your complete customer database with contact information, service history, communication logs, and linked assets. Build lasting relationships by having all customer information at your fingertips.
• Invoices and Estimates: Create, manage, and track all financial documents. Send invoices via email, accept online payments, and convert estimates to invoices with a single click.
• Products and Services: Your catalog of items and services that can be added to tickets and invoices. Manage pricing, inventory levels, and organize everything by category.
• Reports: Comprehensive business analytics and performance metrics. Generate reports on revenue, technician productivity, ticket statistics, and export data for accounting purposes.
• Admin Settings: System configuration including business information, user management, integrations, email templates, and customization options.

Setting Up Business Information

Your business information is configured during the Welcome Wizard on first login, but you can update it anytime in Admin Settings. This data appears on every customer-facing document your system generates, so accurate details ensure a professional appearance that builds trust with your customers.

Accessing Business Settings

To view or update your business information after initial setup:

1. Click Admin Settings in the sidebar navigation menu on the left side of your screen.
2. Find the Business Information section to view and edit your company details.
3. Make your changes and click Save to apply your updates.

Essential Business Details

Configure the following information to establish your business identity within RAD Repairs. Each field serves a specific purpose in customer communications and document generation:

Field	Description	Example
Business Name	Your official registered business name exactly as it should appear on all legal documents, invoices, and customer communications.	RAD Computer Repairs LLC
Business Logo	Upload your company logo in PNG or JPG format. Recommended dimensions are 300x100 pixels for optimal display across all document types and screen sizes.	company-logo.png
Phone Number	Your primary business contact phone number that customers can call for inquiries, support, and service scheduling.	(555) 123-4567
Email Address	The main business email address used for customer communications, invoice delivery, and system notifications.	support@radrepairs.com
Website URL	Your business website address for customers who want to learn more about your services or contact you online.	www.radrepairs.com
Business Address	Your complete physical business address including street, city, state, and postal code for invoices and legal documentation.	123 Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
Tax ID Number	Your business tax identification number or EIN if required for invoicing in your jurisdiction. This field is optional.	XX-XXXXXXX
Theme Color	Your primary brand color used throughout the application interface and on generated documents for consistent branding.	#2563eb (blue)

Invoice and Receipt Settings

Customize how your invoices and receipts appear to customers to maintain professional standards and communicate important business policies:

• Invoice Prefix: Add a custom prefix to all invoice numbers for easy identification and organization. For example, setting "INV-" results in invoice numbers like INV-0001, INV-0002, and so on.
• Payment Terms: Set your default payment terms that appear on invoices. Common options include "Due on Receipt," "Net 15," "Net 30," or custom terms specific to your business policies.
• Invoice Notes: Add default notes or terms and conditions that automatically appear on every invoice. This is ideal for warranty information, return policies, or legal disclaimers.
• Thank You Message: Create a custom thank you message that displays on paid invoices and receipts. This personal touch enhances customer experience and encourages repeat business.

Adding Locations

RAD Repairs supports businesses with multiple physical locations, allowing you to track tickets, manage inventory, and analyze revenue separately for each shop. Your first location is created during the Welcome Wizard. You can add additional locations later in Admin Settings.

Adding Additional Locations

To add more locations after initial setup:

1. Navigate to Admin Settings using the sidebar navigation menu.
2. Find the Locations section.
3. Click Add Location to open the new location form.
4. Fill in the location details (name, address, city, state, ZIP, phone, email).
5. Click Save to create the new location record.

Benefits of Multi-Location Configuration

When you have multiple locations properly configured, the system provides powerful capabilities:

• Location-Specific Reporting: Generate detailed reports showing revenue, ticket volume, and performance metrics broken down by each location.
• Inventory Tracking: Track stock levels and inventory movements separately at each location.
• Ticket Filtering: Filter tickets, invoices, and customers by location to focus on a specific shop's operations.
• Location-Based Tax Rates: Configure different state and local tax rates for each location.

Creating Users and User Roles

Setting up user accounts for your team is essential for proper access control and activity tracking. You can add team members during the Welcome Wizard or later in Admin Settings. RAD Repairs provides role-based permissions to give each team member the appropriate level of access.

Adding a New User Account

To add team members after initial setup:

1. Navigate to Admin Settings using the sidebar navigation menu.
2. Find the User Management section.
3. Click Add User to open the new user form.
4. Enter the user's name, email address, and phone number.
5. Select the appropriate role based on their responsibilities.
6. Choose a schedule color for calendar display.
7. Click Create User to save and send an invitation email.

Understanding User Roles and Permissions

RAD Repairs includes several built-in roles with different permission levels:

Role	Description	Key Permissions
Admin	Full system access for business owners and managers who need complete control over configuration and data.	Full access to all features Manage user accounts and roles Configure system settings Access all financial reports Manage integrations
Technician	Standard access for repair staff who work on tickets and need to manage customer interactions.	Create and manage tickets View and update customer information Add notes and attachments View products and services Create tickets for walk-in customers
Accounting	Financial-focused access for staff who manage invoices, payments, and financial reports.	Manage invoices and payments Access financial reports View customer billing information
Viewer	Read-only access for staff who need to view information but not make changes.	View tickets and customers View reports No editing capabilities

User Management Best Practices

Follow these recommended practices to maintain a secure and well-organized user management system:

• Apply the principle of least privilege: Always assign the minimum role necessary for each person to perform their job function. You can always upgrade permissions later if needed.
• Create individual accounts for everyone: Never share login credentials between team members. Each person should have their own unique account for proper activity tracking and accountability.
• Disable accounts for departing employees: When someone leaves your company, disable their account immediately rather than deleting it. This preserves historical records of their activity while preventing future access.
• Review access permissions regularly: Periodically audit user accounts and their assigned roles. Remove access for anyone who no longer needs it and adjust roles as job responsibilities change.
• Use strong passwords: Require all users to create strong, unique passwords and consider implementing password change policies for enhanced security.

Adding Products and Services

Your product and service catalog forms the foundation for creating repair tickets and generating accurate invoices. Investing time upfront to properly set up your commonly used items will save significant time on every ticket you create and ensure consistent pricing across your entire operation.

Adding Products to Your Catalog

Products are physical items you sell to customers, including replacement parts, accessories, complete devices, and supplies. Follow these steps to add products:

1. Navigate to Products and Services using the sidebar navigation menu.
2. Click the Products tab to view your product catalog.
3. Click the Add Product button to open the new product form.
4. Fill in all the product details:
   • Product Name: The name as it will appear on invoices and tickets. Be specific and descriptive.
   • SKU: A unique stock keeping unit code for inventory tracking and quick product lookup.
   • Category: Organize products into logical groups such as "Parts," "Accessories," "Cables," or "Storage."
   • Cost: Your purchase cost for this item. This is used for profit margin calculations.
   • Price: The selling price charged to customers.
   • Current Quantity: How many units you currently have in stock.
   • Reorder Point: The inventory level at which you should order more of this product.
   • Description: Additional details about the product for internal reference.
5. Click Save Product to add it to your catalog.

Adding Services to Your Catalog

Services represent the labor and work you perform for customers, including repairs, diagnostics, installations, and maintenance tasks. Follow these steps to add services:

1. Navigate to Products and Services using the sidebar navigation menu.
2. Click the Services tab to view your service catalog.
3. Click the Add Service button to open the new service form.
4. Fill in all the service details:
   • Service Name: A clear, descriptive name that will appear on invoices and estimates.
   • Category: Organize services into logical groups such as "Screen Repairs," "Software Services," "Hardware Repairs," or "Diagnostics."
   • Price: Your standard price for this service. This can be adjusted on individual tickets when needed.
   • Estimated Time: The typical time required to complete this service. Useful for scheduling and setting customer expectations.
   • Description: A detailed description of what the service includes for internal reference and customer communication.
5. Click Save Service to add it to your catalog.

Suggested Items to Get Started

Here are some commonly used products and services that most repair shops will want to add to their catalog. Use these as a starting point and customize based on your specific business offerings:

Creating Your First Repair Ticket

After completing the Welcome Wizard, you are ready to create your first repair ticket. Tickets are the central component of RAD Repairs - they track the entire repair workflow from intake through diagnosis, repair, invoicing, and payment collection.

Step-by-Step Ticket Creation Process

Understanding the Ticket Workflow

After creating a ticket, it moves through various status stages as the repair progresses. Understanding this workflow helps you track repairs efficiently:

1. Open: The ticket has been created and is awaiting assignment or work to begin.
2. In Progress: A technician is actively working on diagnosing or repairing the device.
3. Waiting for Parts: The repair is paused while waiting for necessary parts to arrive.
4. Waiting for Customer: The repair is paused pending customer approval, information, or a decision.
5. Customer Reply: The customer has responded and the ticket needs attention.
6. On Hold: The ticket is temporarily paused for other reasons.
7. Completed: The repair work is finished and ready for pickup or delivery.
8. Resolved: The ticket has been fully resolved and closed.
9. Cancelled: The ticket was cancelled and no work will be performed.

Tips for Success with RAD Repairs

Make the most of your RAD Repairs system with these practical tips and best practices gathered from successful repair shops using the software:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions from new RAD Repairs users. If you do not find the answer you need here, please contact our support team for assistance.