A service template is a pre-built bundle of labour + parts + price. Once defined, picking the template on an estimate or appointment fills in everything in one click. The single biggest time-saver Autodots offers.
Opening service templates
Settings → Service Templates. The list shows: name, total price, labour hours, active toggle. Use the search bar — once you have 30+ templates the list gets long.
Creating a template
- Click New template.
- Name — what your front desk would say. "Periodic service — 10,000 km" not "PS-10K".
- Description — optional; appears on the customer-facing estimate. Useful for "Includes: oil change, filter replacement, brake check, tyre pressure check, AC vent clean."
- Active — defaults on. Off-templates are hidden from the picker but kept for history.
The services block (labour)
Click Add service item. Per row:
- Service name — e.g., "Engine oil drain & refill". Free text.
- Quantity — usually 1, sometimes higher for repeated work.
- Unit price OR labour hours × rate — switch with the toggle:
- Flat price — easier; what you charge for this item.
- Labour hours × hourly rate — useful if you bill mechanics by the hour and want time visible to the customer.
The parts block
Click Add part. Per row:
- Part — autocomplete from inventory. Picking a part links the SKU; stock auto-deducts when the estimate becomes an invoice.
- Quantity — usual amount used for this job.
- Selling price — pre-fills from the inventory record but is editable per template (e.g., bundled price).
If a part isn't in inventory yet, click Add new product from the autocomplete to create it inline.
Totals & tax
The right rail shows: sub-total, tax (per Settings → Taxes), final price. Adjust the line items until the total matches the price you'd quote verbally.
Organising your templates
Settings → Service Templates also has a Group field. Group templates by category — Engine, Tyres, Body, AC — so the picker on the estimate form is sectioned.
Using a template
On the estimate form: click Add service template → search by name → pick. Lines populate. Edit per estimate (e.g., this customer needs an extra qty) without affecting the template.
Archiving an old template
Don't delete — toggle Active off. Past estimates and invoices that used it stay readable; the template just disappears from the picker.