Auto repair shop software · #9 of 33
R.O. Writer
info.rowriter.com
What it is
R.O. Writer is shop management software for auto repair businesses, covering repair orders, parts sourcing, payments, and customer communication. Shops can create repair orders and process payments in one system, with two-way texting and email for follow-ups and reminders. Its digital vehicle inspection suite sends findings, recommendations, pictures, and videos to customers. Parts catalog connections include ACDelco, AutoZone, NAPA PROLink, PartsTech, and WORLDPAC SpeedDIAL; repair guide integrations include ALLDATA, Identifix, and Motologic. Accounting integrations include QuickBooks and the Back Office transfer tool. The cloud-based product provides anywhere access, automatic backups, secure cloud storage, and automatic updates. Its multi-store option supports managing 2 to 100 stores and viewing repair order history across locations. RO Writer Essentials costs $199 a month for the first year and includes unlimited users, quotes, repair orders, and invoices, plus dedicated onboarding and priority support. RO Writer costs $299 a month for the first year and adds integrated payments, advanced reporting, multi-location management, and partner integrations. The business began in 1977; the first RO Writer version was created in 1990.
Who it suits. Essentials is described as suited to independent shops, while the RO Writer plan is for high-volume or multi-location shops. It may suit repair businesses seeking customer messaging, parts and repair-guide integrations, or centralized store management.
Good to know
- Two-way text and email for customer follow-ups
- Digital inspections include findings, pictures, and videos
- Multi-store solution supports 2 to 100 stores
- Cloud access includes automatic backups and updates
Watch for
- No free plan
- Listed prices apply per month for the first year
- Sunday support is closed
R.O. Writer combines repair-order workflows with customer communication, inspections, and catalog integrations. Consider whether Essentials or the higher-tier multi-location and reporting features fit your shop.
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Plans and prices
RO Writer Essentials
$199 a monthAnnual contract, billed monthly; first year
Unlimited users, quotes, repair orders and invoices · two-way texting · unlimited customer emails · parts ordering · inventory management · basic reporting · tire quoting · VIN lookup · appointments calendar · dedicated onboarding and priority support
RO Writer
$299 a monthFirst year; pricing shown as starting price
Everything in Essentials · integrated payments · advanced reporting and dashboards · multi-location workflows · technician and service-writer performance tracking · job scheduling · matrix pricing · time-clock and payroll reporting · permissions · accounts payable/receivable · invoice and inspection email integration · partner integrations
From R.O. Writer's own pricing page, read 20 October 2026. Every plan →
Its site
Getting started
- Visit the R.O. Writer website.
- Choose RO Writer Essentials or RO Writer.
- Arrange data migration as part of onboarding.
- Choose in-person or virtual onboarding.
- Use personalized training and post-launch follow-ups.
On record
- Purpose
- RO Writer is shop management software for auto repair shops, covering job tracking, parts sourcing, and customer communication.
- Repair orders
- The software helps shops create repair orders, source parts, and process payments in one system.
- Customer communication
- It includes two-way texting and emailing for customer follow-ups and reminders.
- Digital inspections
- The DVI Suite sends inspection findings, recommendations, pictures, and videos to customers.
- Parts catalogs
- Parts catalog integrations include ACDelco, AutoZone, NAPA PROLink, PartsTech, and WORLDPAC SpeedDIAL.
- Repair guide integrations
- Built-in repair guide integrations include ALLDATA, Identifix, and Motologic.
- Accounting integrations
- The maker lists QuickBooks and its Back Office accounting transfer tool among its accounting integrations.
- Cloud access
- The maker describes RO Writer as cloud-based, with anywhere access, automatic backups, secure cloud storage, and automatic updates.
- Multi-location
- The multi-store solution supports managing 2 to 100 stores and viewing repair order history across locations.
- Connect add-on
- Connect offers marketing automation, AI appointment scheduling, two-way text conversations, reminders, and review requests.
- Onboarding
- Onboarding includes data migration, a choice of in-person or virtual onboarding, personalized training, and follow-ups after launch.
- Support
- Support hours are Monday to Friday 7am–7pm EST and Saturday 9am–5pm EST; Sunday is closed.
- Target customers
- The Essentials plan is described as ideal for independent shops, while the RO Writer plan is for high-volume or multi-location shops.
- History
- The maker says its business began in 1977 and that Progressive Automotive Systems created the first version of RO Writer in 1990.
- Free plan
- No
- Work order management
- Yes
- Digital inspections
- Yes
- Estimate approvals
- Yes
- Parts inventory
- Yes
- Technician time tracking
- Yes
- Vehicle history
- Yes
- Free plan
- No
- Work-order management
- Yes
- Free plan
- No
- Parts inventory
- Yes
- Vehicle service history
- Yes
Questions
Is there a free plan?
No free plan is listed.
How much does RO Writer Essentials cost?
$199 a month for the first year.
What does the RO Writer plan cost?
$299 a month for the first year. It adds integrated payments, advanced reporting, multi-location management, and partner integrations.
Which platforms does it support?
Android, iOS, and web.
Which parts catalogs integrate with RO Writer?
ACDelco, AutoZone, NAPA PROLink, PartsTech, and WORLDPAC SpeedDIAL.
Who created RO Writer, and when did it begin?
The business began in 1977. Progressive Automotive Systems created the first version of RO Writer in 1990.