Illustration of multiple tools connecting in mobile device

Community, News
August 4, 2022

4 Reasons You Should Care About Your Repair Shop's Software Integration Abilities

It all comes down to the customer – making their life easier while also improving operational efficiency. Repair shops are in a unique position in the modern commercial world. Where the traditional retail shop sticks to product sales, the repair shop provides repair services while also managing an inventory of parts and products. They often sell new and used items, and they not only face customers on a bad day when their product has faltered, but they also can be the reason a customer has a good day.

All this serves to highlight the complexity of the repair shop owner and clerks’ responsibilities. Between the labor required for repairs, backroom management, and upfront transactions, running a business like this requires a dynamic system that complements every step of the operation. The answer? Software integration.

This post will highlight the ways your repair shop software can be integrated for better processes.

#1 Online Scheduling Means Less Time on the Phone

It’s easy to get bogged down answering call after call. Of course, it’s great to help out a customer in need. But you have other things to do – customers in the store to help, repairs to complete. Integrating an appointment scheduling system into your shop’s website is easier than you may think, and it can do a lot for your day-to-day operations.

In today’s age, customers want to schedule their appointment online. Why not give them what they want while making your life easier?

#2 Your CRM Is More Than a Tool in Your Digital Belt, It Provides a Foundation for Growth

What if you could do more than provide an online scheduling system? The ideal online system will also integrate with your customer relationship management (CRM) tools, allowing for information tracking and lead generation that helps you do a better job administratively.

Necessary integration features that support your CRM needs may include:

  • Customer browsing information
  • Email communications and marketing management
  • View sales and referral history

#3 Your Inventory Deserves SKU Automations  

Then, of course, there is the internal process – primarily inventory challenges. Between new and upcoming products, outdated parts, and limited shelving space, repair shop inventories can be chaotic.

SKU status and transaction automation setups should also be at the top of your software integration list. This feature commonly found in various retail software products is common for a reason. Imagine seeing–with just a few clicks–which items need reordering or gaining easy access to see a sister store’s inventory.

#4 Point of Sale Integrations Support Every Other Aspect of Your Operation

No inventory system is complete without an enhanced point of sale integration to support it. Whether you’re a computer or pc shop seeking repairs software, or your market is more niche, the demand for an accessible, easy-to-use POS is always present. 

Point of sale transactions are the rudder for your ship, one questionable interaction or software stutter can compromise your inventory management or put a rift in the relationship with the customer.

Automated inventory and CRM integrations with your POS make life that much easier, preventing user error and limiting the chances of inefficiency. In other words, when your POS is on point and integrated appropriately, the rest of your operation will reap the benefits.

Integration-Ready Repair Shop Software From RepairQ

RepairQ provides CRM and POS tools for repair shops looking to unify their systems for improved efficiency. Check out Qsite, RepairQ’s multi-functional lead generation tool that can help with online scheduling integrations, store locating, and more.

Have questions? Send us an email with an inquiry.

Community, News
July 19, 2022

Samsung Chipmaking Prices Are Now on the Rise - Are You Prepared?

Foundry clients of Samsung Electronics Co. can now expect to pay up to 20% more for semiconductor manufacturing for the foreseeable future. Samsung joins many of the chipmaking industry giants in a multi-business price increase to make up for increased material costs and logistical needs. The increase comes following a more conservative year for Samsung, having maintained its pricing policy while the rest of the industry raised prices in response to chip shortages.

Why Are Chipmakers Raising Prices?

Last year saw a shortage of semiconductor chips in the supply chain, a result of COVID-19 pandemic-related manufacturing and shipping pitfalls. The shortage mixed with the high demand for chips across the globe has all but forced the hand of corporations to raise their prices.

How This May Affect the Electronics Parts Market

According to an article by Bloomberg that covers the Samsung price increase, customers and partners seeking solutions are now forced to shift their focus from optimizing profitability (hunting down the best part for the margin) to a more strategic game plan. In other words, material costs and shortages will mean clients expend more resources procuring the chips and become less concerned with the overall cost.  

More obviously, the rise of chip prices mixed with the fallout of last year’s shortage means quite simply that devices will be more expensive. That means more expensive parts, affected repair workflows, and potentially unhappy customers at the point of sale and beyond.

What About the Repair Industry?

In Q1 of 2022, Samsung shipped 73.6 million devices, and they expect a total of over 300 million across 2022. Whether dealing with Samsung branded items or Samsung chipped third-party devices, the impacts on the repair industry are unavoidable. Small to mid-sized repair shops will likely see the brunt of the price increases as they hope to seek up-to-date parts to appease customers and keep repairs afloat.

As the aforementioned article suggests, your approach to seeking replacement parts may need an adjustment from most affordable to most accessible.

It May Be Time to Update Your Inventory Management Practices

Our recommendation for repair shop owners is to keep their inventories fresh, maintaining a system that supports their ongoing stock. As device models become dated, profit margins decrease, more so in an age of increased parts prices.

Is Your System Automated?

You’ll want an automated inventory system that integrates with your front-end software. Automated inventories save on employee labor time, help maintain accurate numbers, and enable repair shops to better focus on other profitability and customer retention strategies. How so? By providing trackable SKUs so managers can see what needs reordering.

In other words, when you optimize your inventory management practices, you’re better able to withstand price increases like those of Samsung and Intel.

Electronics Repair POS & Much More from RepairQ Software

From point-of-sale to customer check-in and repair management, RepairQ provides software solutions for repair shops looking to improve their internal and customer-facing processes. Our software is fit to handle a wide range of industry needs, that includes electronics repair shops, cell phone repair centers, appliance repair, and much more.

Get in touch online to learn more. 

Community, News
July 14, 2022

New Tech to Watch Out for in 2022-2023

From innovative new hardware to serious software upgrades, there’s a lot to like about the current state of the tech industry. Leading companies from around the world continue to mold consumer life for improved convenience and better home living.

RepairQ has gathered the current and coming electronics you’ll want to keep an eye out for as 2022 comes to an end (i.e. holiday season $$) and 2023 gets started. Read on for anticipated products from proven companies.

A New Wave of Revolutionary Monitors

Samsung and LG brought curved TV screens into the electronics industry in 2013 (though they existed in projection form for cinematic experiences since the 1950s). The 21:9 curved monitor followed suit a year later and maximized the possibilities of a 21:9 display.

Today, curved monitors remain a top-of-the-line option for serious gamers, designers, and general consumers. Look out for the Samsung ARK later this year or in early 2023. This product flips the curved model – literally. It’s a 55” curved OLED monitor vertically positioned and provides three different 16:9 feeds.

Other monitors to watch out for: MSI’s MEG 342C QD-OLED and LG’ UltraGear 48GQ900.

M2 SoC in New MacBooks

Apple continues to move away from using Intel chips in their devices (iPads and Macbooks primarily) and toward their own System on a Chip (Soc) engineering. Rather than using different chips for different functions, they’ve directed their development efforts toward a unified chip to serve multiple functions: the M2.

The M2 is faster than its predecessor, the M1, and includes a more powerful GPU and CPU. The M2 runs at 3.49GHz up from the 3.2GHz of the M1. Thanks to the efficiency of the M2, new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models boast battery lives between 18 and 20 hours.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

Somewhere along the way, Samsung decided it was time to return to the drawing board and prod at consumers’ nostalgia with the flip-phone model, the Galaxy Fold. An improved version of the concept, the Galaxy Z Flip was first released in Q1 2020 and delivered a more than modest showing.

Last August, Samsung released the Flip3, which included an octa-core processor and 8GB of RAM. The model spearheaded a plethora of flip-phone shipments in 2021 with a total of 4.6 million units shipped. Quite impressive considering it was released in August.

The Flip4 details remain somewhat under wraps but have been announced and the product is expected to release later this year – perhaps in August like its predecessor. Can we expect another successful Z Flip model or will Samsung struggle like other companies suffering from higher parts pricing and supply chain demands?

Video Doorbells & Security Systems

Ring released their Video Doorbell Pro 2 in March ’22 and holds a high consumer rating on Google and Amazon. The basic kit is currently $259.99 and comes with several bundling options for home security improvements. Ring boasts a built-in Alexa greeting, 3D motion detection, and HD+ video in the Pro 2. The model can also detect movement from a perimeter of up to 30 feet regardless of weather or time of day.

While there’s no word yet on a Video Doorbell 5 release (the original model), the Video Doorbell 4 which was released in Spring 2021 continues to be a more-than-viable option for homeowners looking for a more affordable video doorbell than the Pro model.

Repairs Software With POS Systems, Inventory Management, & So Much More

RepairQ provides a wide range of software solutions for repair shops seeking a multi-faceted system for their internal and customer-facing operations. Our tools are designed to improve efficiency and lookout for your bottom line.

Learn more about RepairQ software – get in touch today.

Community, Education, News
June 28, 2022

The Best POS for Repair Shops Will Have These Elements

A dynamic yet easy-to-use point of sale (POS) system for your repair shop will do wonders for customer satisfaction as well as your internal logistics. Common struggles for shop owners are often related to their purchasing systems and inventory integrations – inaccurate numbers, slow transactions, broken automations (or no automations). But with the right approach to their POS, owners, and managers can rest easy and focus on what matters – customer retention with quality repair services.

RepairQ offers POS software and then some. We’ve taken the time to highlight the following elements that every repair shop POS should have.

#1 Simplicity on the Customer Side of the Counter

All you should need for your transactions on the customer side is a simple setup like a tablet or basic payment portal hardware. Whether they’re ordering a repair, returning to pick up an item, or trading in a device, the customer’s touch screen or buttons should be intuitive and easy to use.

Most repair shop customers are already in the shop because they have a device that isn’t working properly. Over-complicating their end of the transaction could make matters worse for them. The less work you can make them do, the better.

#2 Payment Provider Integrations

Be sure to check that your POS system integrates well with the top payment providers, which includes hardware and software. Commonly used payment providers for repair shops include Bluefin, Heartland, or Square.

#3 Trading & Purchasing Capabilities

A vital element of the repair shop industry that separates it from a general retail business is the ability to trade or purchase aftermarket devices or equipment from its customers. Trading with customers can increase company inventory while potentially keeping costs lower without having to pay for shipping or lose time seeking products.

See that your new POS software can purchase customer-owned items for refurbishing and reselling. The system should allow you to add the product to your inventory, manage the item digitally, and provide necessary reporting.

#4 Personalization for Efficiency & Preference

On the internal side of the transaction, repair shop POS software should complement your system at every step, allowing for personalized menus and grids. For example, let’s say a specific part sells far and above more than another. Ideally, you’d want that line item easy to access on the transaction menu, above those that you don’t sell as much.

Your POS software should allow that personalization, so you don’t have to go searching every time a customer orders or purchases that product.

Consider taking the personalization a step further. Suppose you were able to also organize your menu by most repaired products? You probably want the latest iPhone and Samsung cell phone models at the top of your list and the older models further down. This will easily save time for you and the customer.

Repair Software, POS Systems, Integrations – Get It All With RepairQ

With every new development in payment processing and device technology, there comes a new need for point-of-sale systems to follow suit. Best industry practices regularly change and so do payment-related securities and CRM requirements. Make sure you’re keeping your POS up-to-date with the most efficient software available.

Learn how RepairQ can help. Fill out the contact form to get started.

Community, Education, News
June 1, 2022

4 Tips for Good Inventory Management in Repair Centers

Repair centers across the nation rely on the well-being of their inventory systems for the sake of profitability and customer happiness. Nothing retains a customer quite like delivering a quality repair efficiently and without delay. Of course, delays in product and parts shipments have lately defined the state of the supply chain and the reverse supply chain.

At RepairQ, we provide software for repair companies that helps improve each step in the repair transaction process – from reception and inventory management to backend point-of-sale finalization. This post is intended to highlight four ways you can better support your repair center inventory systems.

#1 Have Inventory Automations in Place

Arguably the most important element of inventory management is maintaining up-to-date automation programs. When repair parts come and go, particularly in the electronics repair shop industry, it can be easy to lose track of what you’ve got on your shelves.

This is especially the case for repair shop owners who make the repairs themselves and don’t have time to do regular audits. While verification is still an important step, and no automation is perfect, automatically updated inventory software can save you and your employees hours of work.  

Automations Help Prevent Operator Error

Speaking of employees, there’s little you can do to avoid operator error apart from good training and management. Sometimes errors just happen. And when errors affect your inventory, they have the potential to impact everything else. But when your software automatically updates your inventory count, input error is one less thing you’ll have to worry about.

#2 Install a System That’s Easy to Use

Another way of preventing operator error is the second tip we have for this topic: your software should provide an easy-to-use interface for the user. When you install software with an intuitive user interface, you gift yourself with one less complication in the inventory training process and one less chance of operator error.

Additionally, with the help of a simple interface for inventory management, you can instead exhaust your training efforts on what really matters in your business – training for repair and replacement.

#3 Know What’s Coming Down the Industry Pipeline

Especially vital for electronics and tech repair businesses, but relevant for everyone in the repair industry, is the necessity of staying up to date in industry developments. You’ll want to ensure you’re connected to good resources so you can adjust accordingly. That includes relevant magazines, following experts on social media outlets, and attending conferences. 

A new tablet or phone feature could make a significant portion of your inventory obsolete. When you know what’s coming, you can more efficiently manage your inventory without taking a hit to your bottom line.

#4 Label Just About Everything

Our final tip and a simple one to remember is to label everything – shelving, bins and crates, even the items themselves. Labeling not only helps you maintain the practical organization necessary to prevent losses, but it also saves you and your employees time and headaches.

Taking things one step further, your labeling system will be best optimized if you also organize the inventory according to supply and demand. If you need a part or product and it’s one of the hotter items of the season, you’ll want it as close to the backroom entrance as possible. It may seem like a small thing, but it’ll bring smoothness to a transaction and can improve the customer experience.

Software for Repairs, Returns, & Other Reverse Logistics Needs

RepairQ offers affordable software for every step in your repair transaction process. We also have a wealth of resources and knowledge in the industry. When you partner with RepairQ, you gain more than software, you gain the support necessary for efficient internal and customer-facing processes.

Call us today or use the form below to get started. 

Community, Education, News
May 19, 2022

The Importance of Customer Convenience in 2022: Appointments & Personalization

In a recently published Forbes article, contributor Brian Solis highlights the many demands for digital advances and convenience in customer-facing portals and interactions. These demands, he claims, are the “result of the pandemic and its acceleration of digital adoption” and that “more and more customers are starting to expect innovative and personalized services that value their time.”  

How can repair shops adhere to such demands? At RepairQ, we provide digital solutions via dynamic repair shop software. We’ve highlighted two significant steps that can help boost your repair service customer relations for 2022.

Make Appointment Scheduling Easy on the Front and Back-End of the Transaction

Customers shouldn’t have to bend over backward to have basic needs met. Creating a convenient appointment system is a priority for repair shop owners to not only provide excellent customer service but also maintain expectations and a stable workload. As you know, there’s more to the repair service job than the customer-facing portion.

Let’s take the appointment factor a step further.

Imagine you’re a customer who has just received an alert that their product repair is complete. How would your ideal notification or email look? Odds are it would include the shop hours, a phone number, and a transaction number. Add to it a link to an online appointment portal and you have a convenient all-in-one system that saves your customer time and a headache. A few thumb clicks and they can move on with their day.

Initiate Personalized Services With Easy, Intuitive Customer Portals

According to the same Forbes article earlier mentioned, “Most consumers, 78%, say they’re more likely to make a purchase when receiving personalized service.” It even goes so far as to speculate that this number will increase as younger generations—whose lives know nothing but e-commerce convenience and the help of artificial intelligence—continue to mold the shape of consumer society.

To achieve this, shop owners can utilize software portals that are intuitive to the needs of the customer and provide easy-to-navigate interfaces. It used to be that features like these were only achievable to the corporation, but those days are quickly disappearing as affordable software for the small business owner rolls out regularly.

In other words, the current generation of customers prefers a screen to an aisle. That’s not to say you should abandon the pursuit of a good in-person experience. But you should meet customers where they’re at and give them menus and interfaces they can work with. That starts with revisiting your business software and utilizing options that integrate internal efficiency with external relations. 

Other Features That Can Support Appointment & Personalization

Consider seeking the following features as they complement and support your move toward a more appointment-centered approach:

  • Communication automation
  • Customer and partner survey utilization
  • Analytics and reporting
  • Personalized messages that go beyond generic form emails or mundane marketing tactics

Read on to see how RepairQ can help you achieve an optimal customer relations approach.

RepairQ – Helping You Grow and Sustain Your Repair Business

Whether you’re the owner of an electronics repair shop or you’re in the need of a niche reverse logistics management solution, RepairQ and its partners have a network of resources and solutions ready for utilization.

Our software brings small to mid-sized repair shops a wide range of features for a reasonable price. These features include point of purchase portals, inventory management assistance, enhanced invoicing systems, and customer relationship management tools.

Use our online contact form to get started.

Community, Education, News

May 5, 2022

Opening an Electronics Repair Service Shop? 5 Must-Haves to Get You Started

Maybe you’ve repaired devices on the side for years, helping family members and friends start afresh without having to purchase something new. Or maybe it’s a skill you’ve honed over the years, and you’re now ready to take it to the next level. Whatever your reason for opening a repair shop, you’ll need to pay attention to those vital first steps as you lay the foundation of your business. 

RepairQ provides software solutions for repair service shops in various capacities. We wanted to take the time to highlight the must-haves for electronics repair professionals as they work to support their entrepreneurship and build rapport with customers.

#1 Tips for a Good Electronics Workstation

As you’ve likely anticipated, building an electronics or computer workstation desk is one of your first tasks when you open a repair shop. You can invest in a prebuilt electronics workstation, or you can DIY one and save some money.

A few tips for those workstation DIYers out there:

  • Use sturdy material like solid wood or another nonconductive material like plastic. You can use steel, but you’ll want to ensure the surface is safe from possible conduction.
  • Get a good-quality chair that breathes, supports your back, and complements long work sessions (seriously, you’ll be glad you did).
  • Incorporate electrostatic prevention measures like grounding straps and work mats.
  • Invest in an adjustable lamp for close-up or otherwise difficult-to-see projects.
  • Install easy-to-access storage containers
  • If you haven’t already, start your collection of tools with a bench vise and various-sized clamps.
  • Seek quality testing equipment. Even if you have your own already, consider upgrading to prepare your shop with a fresh set.  

#2 A Network of OEMs and Other Partners

Networking building and partnership acquisition are huge, especially for small business owners looking to get their hands on up-to-date parts and information. That should be a priority if you haven’t started reaching out to manufacturers and distributors yet. It wouldn’t hurt to also keep the competition close and connect with other repair shop owners in the community.

Once you’re good and off the ground, you’ll need to manage these partnerships and stay in the know on necessary software integrations for your internal administrative needs. Despite all the advantages of social media and the hyper connection of western civilization, good ole fashion relationship-building still carries power. 

#3 CRM Software for Quality Customer Interactions

Speaking of relationship management, if your customers appreciate your work, they’ll definitely return. Managing customer relationships will require repair shop CRM software that can not only house vital customer information but also automate communications with them. This way, customers will be notified when their repairs are done. But, more than that, a quality CRM will also help you promote any sales or trade specials you may have.

#4 Touchscreen Point-of-Sale Software for Repair Shops

Point-of-sale software is changing in tech and repair industries. It can do much more than provide the necessary interfaces for your transactions, and it can do so with fewer hardware requirements than older setups. 

Our recommendation? Seek out software that: 

  • Provides easy-to-navigate user interfaces 
  • Is compatible with payments providers like Square or Bluefin
  • Tightly integrates customer and repair data

And, as long as the point-of-sale software you use supports it, you can install a tablet as your transaction point. This alternative should only cost a few hundred dollars and will be efficient for the foreseeable future.

#5 Inventory Management Assistance

Inventory management is huge. If you can start your shop with a competent system, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress in the long run. The right inventory management software will integrate with your sale/trade/purchase transactions and populate parts and device counts accordingly. Some software out there can even help you manage online vs. in-store inventories.

Start Your Repair Shop With RepairQ’s Help

RepairQ offers a wide range of features for repair shop owners looking to keep all their assets in one place. From CRM portals to inventory management, our products can help you get started with confidence. Connect with us today by using the contact form below.  

Community, News
April 19, 2022

Is Electronic Device Overheating a Thing of the Past? Researchers Are Closer Than You May Think

Overheating has long been an enemy of electronic device performance. When devices like tablets and cell phones overheat, their performance slows down, parts malfunction, and the devices may stop working altogether. As we’ve continually come to rely more heavily on these devices, the need for optimal device engineering increases – especially as it relates to temperature control.

At RepairQ, we provide software for repair shops seeking operational improvement. We wanted to highlight this most recent scientific advancement as it relates specifically to the electronics repair shop industry and it may have long-term impacts on some of our partners. Read on for more. 

Why Do Electronic Devices Overheat?

The primary reason why devices overheat is that the heat from the device operation must have somewhere to go. If perfected, ideal engineering for these devices would lead to heat transfer occurring at a rapid pace.

Unfortunately, even the best engineers haven’t perfected solutions for efficient thermal conductance (the term for the measurement of thermal energy transfer over a given time). Therefore, electronics can still be prone to overheating despite over a hundred years of related scientific advances in the field.

The Discovery

Late last year, ScienceDaily covered a discovery made by the Georgia Institute of Technology (originally published in Nature Communications). This discovery was the result of experimental approaches to heat transfer in electronics devices. Specifically, they noted an improvement in thermal conductance via phonon mode manipulation.

A Potential Solution

So, what does that mean for electronic devices? According to the article, a greater understanding of these interface modes, and the ability to manipulate them, provides opportunities for enhanced thermal conductance for a wide range of interfaces. 

Taking it one step further: “Breakthroughs in this area could lead to better performance in semiconductors used in satellites, 5G devices, and advanced radar systems, among other devices.”  

The Future of Electronics Repair

Advances like device cooling discoveries are exciting for the electronics manufacturing industries but may lead to negative impacts on the electronics repair industry. Less overheated devices may mean less business for repair shops.

But with every advance in technology comes the need for experts in the technology’s operation. It also doesn’t appear that new electronic device developments are slowing down any time soon. Old issues like overheating may disappear, but it’s likely new reasons for repair will follow.

Reverse Logistics Management Software for Your Repair Shop

Looking to improve your process? Our web-based management and point-of-sale software is designed specifically for repair shops. RepairQ’s features include:

  • Inventory management assistance
  • Automated communications for customer interaction
  • Device visibility throughout the repair process
  • A point of purchase system that allows for selling and trading
  • Secure transaction portals
  • CRM-inspired customer opportunities

RepairQ’s interfaces are user-friendly and may be personalized to meet the needs of your business. We also offer annual or monthly billing options. Connect with us online by using the contact form below.

Development, News
March 25, 2022

Announcing RepairQ 1.18 Release from ServiceCentral

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2022 – Atlanta, GA – ServiceCentral® Technologies Inc. is pleased to announce that it is releasing the RepairQ® 1.18 update to all subscribers on Tuesday, March 29th 2022. The update will provide its users access to new integrations, including Square® Payments with a Square Terminal, Apple® GSX for ASPs and IRPs, and Samsung® GSPN for ISPs, as well as more than 30 improvements to the RepairQ product core.

“We are excited to bring this update to our users,” said Steve Teel, CEO of ServiceCentral. “This release marks a milestone for our RepairQ product, as well as our first official release of integrations with top mobile phone OEMs and warranty providers for authorized repairs under our ServiceNetwork strategy.  This release also adds Square to our list of our integrated payment partners. We recognize the importance of expanding our platform, our ecosystem, and our integrated services; RepairQ 1.18 is our first of several planned upgrades this year.” 

Key updates in the RepairQ 1.18 release include: 

  1. Square Payment integration to accept payments using a Square Terminal
  2. Apple GSX integration for ASPs and IRPs, bringing GSX workflow, parts ordering, and transactional reporting into RepairQ, reducing time on task 
  3. Samsung GSPN integration to help ISPs meet parts reporting requirements, seamlessly within RepairQ
  4. More than 30 improvements to the core product, including technology upgrades, bug fixes, user interface improvements, new functionality, and staging RepairQ for significant expansion this year 

While we recognize that we are later than anticipated with this release, we have been working to build the framework that will help move repair businesses forward. We are committed to doing more for our users, including requested features, updates, and integrations. RepairQ’s 1.18 release is our first step to providing improved software service for our subscribers in 2022.  

James Schellhorn, Chief Business Development Officer for ServiceCentral said: “It’s been a long time in development, but RepairQ 1.18 will provide a springboard for improvements in the future, all built around key industry trends and feedback from our users.” 

About Us:

An expert in the full aftermarket life cycle, ServiceCentral® Technologies Inc. offers a suite of software to manage everything from warranties and returns to repairs and disposition. RepairQ®, our retail, point of sale software is designed specifically for independent repair businesses. Our returns and service management solution, ServiceManagerTM, optimizes product handling through automation and workflows for return centers and service providers. ServiceNetworkTM, our latest product, helps OEMs, insurers, and other third-party authorizers to connect, authorize, and refer consumer returns and repairs to a network of third-party partners.

For Media Contacts: 
marketing@servicecentral.com

Community, Education, News
April 26, 2021

ERN is Doing Its Part to Promote Sustainability and Reuse.

The E-Reuse Network is a collaboration initiative for device repair businesses, electronics recyclers, PC refurbishers, and ITADs, along with the organizations that supply these companies with industry-related solutions and services. ServiceCentral supports the reuse, repair, and refurbishment of electronic devices through the RMA process and trade-in tools within our applications. 

As part of our Earth Month celebration, we sat down with ERS President, Sarah Kim, to chat about how she got started and what she’s doing to further the reuse movement. 

EReuse Network logo
EReuse Services logo

The E-Reuse Network is on a mission to help businesses operate more efficiently and save money. Sarah Kim’s passion for reusing electronics started in 1997 when her father started fixing computers in the basement of their family home.. “We were sponsoring a local high school student and found out that he didn’t have a computer at home,” said Kim. Even at that time, student access to computers was crucial to their success. Kim’s father called a friend who worked for a local garbage company and arranged to pick up a “room-full” of discarded computers to refurbish them and get them into the hands of local students in need. 

 

In 2017 Sarah started her own consulting company that focuses on connecting organizations through ERC, ERN, and some individual consulting services. “There really was no place in the industry where companies could go to learn about and connect with different vendors. ERN put together this network of vendors arranging for referral discounts to be passed on directly to clients to bring the repair, reuse, and refurbishing community together,” said Kim. The goal is to help people reuse as much as possible and we depend on our members to tell us who should be included in the network. We’re always looking to add more vendors to the site. 

 

The annual E-Reuse Conference is critical to forming these connections and promoting reuse. It’s also another way the organization reduces their footprint in waste. Eliminating printed show guides, using glass cups and silverware instead of paper, and working directly with hotels to do composting allowed us to put on an industry-leading event that was still sustainability-focused.

We talked with Sarah about the steps we can all take to minimize e-waste and why it’s so important to properly dispose of electronic waste and she had the following advice.

What would be your advice to end users who are seeking to minimize their e-waste footprint?

Be creative and reuse as much material in your house as you can. The key is not to let your devices sit in the closet or in the basement at home. The pandemic has forced people to get creative, to start using unused devices for different purposes like schoolwork or to stay in touch with family or friends through video. These old devices can help you connect more and help you draw healthy lines between work and home allowing you to have a separate personal device so you can step away from work while you are at home. Of course, if you have a broken electronic device, the best thing to do is to take it to your local repair shop. And, if you no longer need it, be sure to take it to a certified electronics recycler.

What’s so bad about throwing an old phone or tablet in the trash?

We call them focus materials. Focus materials are in electronics and are harmful to people and the planet. By throwing them away you’re putting yourself, others, and the planet at risk. By recycling them responsibly, you’re making sure our natural resources are preserved and that they’re being handled properly so that they’re no longer harmful.

 

Are there any steps you take in your own life to reduce your carbon footprint?

A few years ago I installed solar panels on my roof in downtown Chicago. This year I’m looking into composting services. Living sustainably has become a way of life but we can always do better.

Sarah

Sarah Kim

ERN President

Sarah Lorenzen

Sarah is the Director of Marketing for ServiceCentral. In her role, she focuses on creating engaging content and optimizing its delivery to reach people interested in repair and reverse logistics. In her life outside the office, Sarah loves to bass fish and spend time with her two daughters.

Related Posts

The Rise of Smartphone Trade-Ins: A Closer Look
September 11, 2023

The Rise of Smartphone Trade-Ins: A Closer Look

Growing Interest in Used Smartphones Recent market dynamics indicate a growing interest in refurbished and second-hand smartphones. One key driver – Read More

Businessman following guided flashlight
September 11, 2023

Your Ultimate Guide to Starting a Cell Phone Repair Company Copy

Community, News September 11, 2023 Your Ultimate Guide to Starting a Cell Phone Repair Company As the modern consumer continues - Read More

Unveiling the Key Benefits of Using a CRM Software
August 3, 2023

Unveiling the Key Benefits of Using a CRM Software

News August 3, 2023 Unveiling the Key Benefits of Using a CRM Software At a Glance:  Introduction Section 1: Understanding - Read More