Auto Body Shop Software

Complete Research Library — March 2026

11
Documents
8
Research Pillars
236
Sources Cited
Master Plan
MASTER
Auto Body Shop Software — Research Synthesis
Cross-pillar thematic synthesis with actionable recommendations
  • Mandates, not merit, drive CCC
  • 98% of shops unserved
  • $2-3K/month fragmentation tax
  • ADAS billing gap: 42% uncaptured
  • $9B PE deployed in 6 months
  • AI: insurers in, shops still out
  • Contracts are the real barrier
  • Payments = 4-8x ARPU multiplier
  • No platform tracks compliance
  • Multi-tenant schema: build first
Research Pillars
RESEARCH
Software Competitive Landscape
CCC, Mitchell, Audatex, and 20+ tools — features, lock-ins, and gaps.
  • CCC ONE vs Mitchell vs Audatex
  • Shop management system landscape
  • Parts procurement platforms
  • DRP management tools
  • Customer communication tools
  • ADAS calibration software
  • OEM procedure lookup systems
  • Integration & lock-in mechanisms
  • 31 sources cited
 RESEARCH
Market Size & Shop Economics
$15B+ collision repair market, shop tiers, and software TAM.
  • US collision repair TAM
  • Shop count by size tier
  • MSO consolidation & PE trends
  • Revenue per shop benchmarks
  • Software spend per shop
  • ADAS impact on repair costs
  • Regional market distribution
  • Insurance carrier market share
  • 34 sources cited
 RESEARCH
Shop Workflow Pain Points & Gaps
Real shop frustrations: 5+ apps, manual re-entry, supplement hell.
  • Fragmented multi-tool workflows
  • Manual data re-entry burden
  • Supplement cycle friction
  • Parts procurement inefficiency
  • Customer communication gaps
  • KPI and analytics deficits
  • Sublet management chaos
  • Technician productivity gaps
  • 34 sources cited
 RESEARCH
Automation & AI Transformation
One connected pipeline + AI transforms estimate-to-payment flow.
  • Estimate-to-payment unified flow
  • AI photo damage assessment
  • Automated supplement writing
  • Predictive scheduling & capacity
  • Touch time vs cycle time AI
  • Voice-to-text for technicians
  • AI quality control review
  • Smart inventory reorder
  • 41 sources cited
 RESEARCH
Regulatory & Compliance Environment
50-state licensing, OEM certs, anti-steering laws, ADAS liability.
  • State licensing requirements
  • OEM certification programs
  • Anti-steering laws by state
  • ADAS calibration liability
  • Environmental & VOC regs
  • DRP compliance mandates
  • Right to repair legislation
  • Data privacy (CCPA + state)
  • 24 sources cited
 RESEARCH
Pricing Models & Business Strategy
TCO $500-2000+/mo per shop — pricing strategy for a new entrant.
  • Current SaaS pricing benchmarks
  • Full stack TCO analysis
  • Per-location vs per-bay models
  • AI module fixed-fee pricing
  • Bundling vs modular strategy
  • Freemium penetration tactics
  • Contract & lock-in terms
  • Undercutting incumbent pricing
  • 27 sources cited
 RESEARCH
Adoption Barriers & Migration Playbook
Switching costs, DRP mandates, and the playbook to win migration.
  • Owner resistance psychology
  • DRP tool mandate constraints
  • Data migration from CCC/Mitchell
  • Phased rollout strategies
  • White-glove MSO onboarding
  • Staff retraining approaches
  • Startup credibility concerns
  • Change management playbook
  • 20 sources cited
 RESEARCH
Product Architecture & Build Plan
Node.js + Supabase superapp: stack, UX, MVP, and technical roadmap.
  • Node.js + Supabase stack design
  • Shop-floor UX/UI vision
  • MVP for MSO pilot win
  • Real-time multi-location sync
  • Offline-first PWA capability
  • Photo management at scale
  • Insurance EDI integration
  • Multi-tenant MSO architecture
  • 25 sources cited
Strategic Addenda
ADDENDUM
Insurer API Access & Integration Path for New Entrants
  • The Critical Unknown
  • The Integration Stack:...
  • Layer 1: CIECA Standards...
  • Layer 2: Platform...
  • Layer 3: Direct Insurer...
 ADDENDUM
Paint Supplier Lock-In & Integration Gap Analysis
  • The Four-Layer Lock-In
  • Layer 1: Proprietary...
  • Layer 2: Hardware Bundles
  • Layer 3: Brand-Tied...
  • Layer 4:...