Checklist: What to Look for in a Marine Work Order Management Platform

Not all work order systems are built the same—and most aren’t designed for the unique challenges of running a marine service center. From fluctuating job timelines to mobile workflows at the dock, marine shops need something more specialized than your average garage software.

Before you commit to a new platform, here’s a checklist to ensure it aligns with the way your team actually works on the water, in the yard, and back in the office.

✅ Marine-Focused Functionality

• Supports boats, trailers, motors, and accessories as individual assets
• Tracks VINs, serial numbers, and service records with marine-specific fields
• Handles seasonal services like winterization and storage prep

📱 Mobile-Ready for Dockside Use

• Technicians can view and update jobs from a tablet or phone
• No need to return to the front desk to log labor or add notes
• Offline mode or auto-sync capabilities are a bonus

📦 Parts & Labor Integration

• Easily search and add parts with pricing and availability
• Standardize labor items by job type for fast quoting
• Track costs vs. billed amounts for margin insights

📞 Customer Communication Tools

• Send automated texts and emails for status updates
• Track customer approvals for upsells or repairs
• Access full communication history per customer/job

📊 Visibility & Reporting

• View open, scheduled, and completed jobs at a glance
• Track turnaround time, team efficiency, and repeat jobs
• Export service reports for customers or internal use

🔐 Simple Permissions & Roles

• Limit what users can see and edit based on role
• Protect pricing, internal notes, and sensitive info
• Assign techs to jobs without confusion