Set up your shop

Use this page when you are setting up TracsConnect for a shop for the first time.

Before you start

You should have:

A TracsConnect dashboard account with permission to manage settings
Access to the shop computer or server that runs TRACS
The shop selected in TracsConnect, if your account has more than one shop
Permission to invite staff or change roles, if you are setting up users

Step 1: Confirm the TRACS connection

Open Settings → Server & Agents.

This area shows the pieces that keep TracsConnect connected to your shop:

Setting or panel	What it does	How it works
Server Agent	Connects the shop’s TRACS server to TracsConnect.	Install this on the shop server or the computer that has access to TRACS data.
Client Agent	Connects individual workstations to TracsConnect features that depend on a user’s TRACS session.	Install this on workstations that need live workstation-aware behavior.
Tenant ID	Identifies your TracsConnect account.	Copy this value and enter it when you run the agent installer. It tells the agent which account to connect to.
Agent status	Shows whether agents are currently connected.	If an agent is offline, TracsConnect may not receive fresh TRACS data or workstation events.

Do this first. Many other settings depend on TracsConnect being able to see the shop and its TRACS data.

Step 2: Set shop basics

Open Settings → Shop Settings.

Setting	What it does	How it works
Shop Timezones	Controls how TracsConnect reads “today,” report dates, and date-based totals for that shop.	TracsConnect can suggest a time zone from the shop’s state, but you can choose one directly if the suggestion is wrong.
Torque Spec Auto-Seeding	Adds lug nut torque specs into vehicle notes when a vehicle is assigned to a work order in TRACS.	Turn it on for shops that want torque specs added automatically for tire service reference.

The time zone is especially important. If it is wrong, daily reports can look like they start or end at the wrong time.

Step 3: Configure customer-facing identity

Open Settings → Branding.

Branding controls what customers see when TracsConnect shows shop information outside the dashboard.

Setting	What it does	How it works
Company Name	The shop name shown to customers.	Starts from TRACS when available. Override it if the public name should be different.
Logo	The logo shown on customer-facing pages and documents.	Sync from TRACS when available, or upload a custom logo for TracsConnect.
Contact Info	Phone, address, and other public shop details.	Use TRACS defaults when they are correct. Override only the fields that should read differently for customers.

Step 4: Check printing and document previews

Open Settings → Printing.

Printing controls cloud-generated document previews and PDFs, such as estimates, repair orders, and invoices.

Setting	What it does	How it works
Override TRACS Print Settings	Decides whether TracsConnect follows TRACS print settings or uses TracsConnect settings.	Leave it off if each work order’s TRACS settings should decide the layout. Turn it on when you want TracsConnect to use one consistent set of print rules.
Shared print options	Controls common document details such as disclaimers, subtotals, balance due, barcode display, and letterhead spacing.	These apply across multiple document types when overrides are enabled.
Estimate / Repair Order / Invoice options	Controls details that are specific to one document type.	Use these when estimates, repair orders, or invoices need different customer-facing layouts.

Step 5: Set up messaging

Open Settings → SMS / Messaging.

Tab	What it does	How it works
Setup & Numbers	Controls SMS proxy behavior and which phone numbers belong to which shop.	TracsConnect uses these assignments when routing text messages.
Recipients	Controls who receives configured message reports.	Add the staff members or addresses that should receive those reports.
Reports	Controls report content, previews, and test sends.	Use this before sending live message reports to customers or staff.

Messaging provider credentials are still configured under Integrations. The SMS / Messaging settings control how TracsConnect uses messaging once the provider side is ready.

Step 6: Configure online scheduling

Open Settings → Scheduling.

Scheduling has a guided setup because several pieces must agree before customers can book online.

Step	What it does	How it works
Foundation	Sets time zone, business hours, booking windows, and capacity.	These decide when appointments can appear online.
Services	Defines what customers can book.	Use service groups and service types so customers choose options your shop actually accepts online.
Policies	Sets lead time, booking horizon, and what customer or vehicle details are required.	These rules prevent too-soon bookings and incomplete appointment requests.
Exceptions & Notifications	Handles blackout dates, holidays, and confirmation messages.	Use this for closed days and customer communication rules.
Review & Activate	Tests the setup and turns online scheduling on.	Do not enable scheduling until the checklist is complete and the preview looks right.

Step 7: Review security and permissions

Open Settings → Security and Settings → Permissions.

Setting area	What it does	How it works
Employee Provisioning	Chooses whether users are linked manually or created from TRACS employee records.	Manual linking gives owners direct control. Auto-provisioning uses supported TRACS employee records when your shop wants that workflow.
Permissions	Controls which dashboard pages and actions staff can use.	Use permissions to limit sensitive settings, reports, billing, users, and management actions.

Step 8: Configure costing if you use profitability reporting

Open Costing Configuration.

Setting area	What it does	How it works
Technicians	Stores technician pay type, skill level, rates, and benefits.	Sync technicians from TRACS, then fill in the costing details TracsConnect needs for reporting.
Rate Defaults	Provides fallback rates by skill level and pay type.	Use defaults so reports still have a reasonable cost when a technician does not have a custom rate.
Efficiency Settings	Controls how technician efficiency is calculated.	Choose the calculation method and window that match how your shop reviews production.
Operational Costs	Adds monthly shop expenses for costing reports.	These help TracsConnect estimate facility cost per billed hour.

Final check

After the first setup pass:

Confirm the agent is connected.
Confirm the selected shop is correct.
Open a customer-facing page or document preview and check the shop name, logo, phone number, and document layout.
Send a controlled test for messaging or scheduling before using either with live customers.