MechAxis vs MechanicDesk: more room for your team

MechAxis is a strong choice for an independent workshop that wants more staff working in the system without buying an extra seat for each new technician. Gold includes up to ten users, digital inspections and inventory; Platinum adds unlimited users and specialist owner tools. The case for switching is better visibility across people, approved work and costs. Start with the team you expect to have in twelve months, including reception and accounts, rather than counting only today's mechanics.

MechanicDesk's Australian Team plan lists $150 per month plus GST for six users and $15 plus GST per extra user. Eight users therefore total $198 including GST before usage and optional extras. MechAxis Gold lists $149 including GST for up to ten users. The $49 monthly difference applies to this specific subscription example; it is not a whole-business savings forecast. Compare SMS volumes, locations, integrations and the features the team will actually use before drawing a conclusion.

Suppose a service sold one labour hour and a brake repair sold two, but the brake work consumed three hours. MechAxis can associate technician work-log time with the relevant labour line while preserving the overall job total. Authorised roles can review the job's recorded labour and parts costs. Missing costs are called out, and the calculation identifies its labour cost basis. This makes a practical trial: find the overrun without changing the customer's agreed price or exposing internal costs on their documents.

MechanicDesk publishes Xero, MYOB, Repco Navigator Pro and Burson EzyParts connections. It also describes stock control and linked multi-site operations. These are reasons to evaluate it seriously. MechAxis does not offer live Burson or Repco catalogue ordering or MYOB integration. Its Xero connection is validated for the workshop during setup. If your counter staff depend on a supplier connection all day, demonstrate the replacement process before deciding that a lower subscription is worth the move.

In MechAxis Gold, create findings with condition, photos and notes, then let the advisor price selected repairs. Have the customer approve one line and leave another for later. Check the resulting tasks and the history at the next visit. Ask the technician to do this from their own account, with finance screens out of view. The useful result is a traceable decision and a clear next task, not simply an attractive inspection report.

Keep an export from the old system and trial a small set of customers, vehicles and stock using MechAxis CSV templates and validation. Check duplicate contacts, registration details, opening stock and any historical attachments you need to retain. Do not assume a customer import also imports old invoices, payments and photos. Once the trial proves the supported fields and staff workflow, agree where open jobs will finish and who owns the final reconciliation.