01
🚗 Getting Started
Setting Up Your Shop
Your shop is your command center. Get it configured in minutes so your whole team is working from the same setup.
1
Create your account — Sign up at stormdatapro.com. Your shop is created automatically with a unique Shop ID.
2
Fill in Shop Settings — Go to Settings → Shop Info. Add your shop name, address, phone, email, and logo. This info auto-fills on estimates, PDFs, and emails.
3
Connect your email — Settings → My Account → Email Integration. Connect Gmail so estimates and invoices send directly from your inbox.
4
Invite your team — Settings → Team → Invite Member. Send email invites with role assignments. Choose whether the shop pays or the member pays for access.
💡 Pro tip: Add your shop logo in Settings — it appears on every PDF estimate and invoice you send. First impressions matter.
02
📝 Intake
Customer Intake & Job Numbers
Every job starts with an intake. This creates the car file, generates the job number, and captures the customer's signature — all in one step.
1
Open the Intake Form — Tap 📝 Intake in the nav. Fill in customer info, vehicle details (year, make, model, VIN), and insurance info if available.
2
Get the customer's signature — The customer signs the intake form on your device. This signature automatically generates the full Authorization to Repair PDF — saved to their car file instantly.
3
Submit the intake — A unique job number is created (e.g. JOH-847 from last name + last 3 of VIN). The car is added to your pipeline and a car file is created automatically.
4
Create the estimate — From the pipeline card or intake list, tap Create Estimate. The estimate pre-fills with all the vehicle and customer info from intake.
💡 Pro tip: Even if you don't have the claim number at intake — no problem. Enter it on the estimate later and the Authorization PDF updates automatically.
03
📊 Estimating
Writing Estimates & Supplements
Build detailed, professional estimates using your insurance matrix pricing. Send directly to adjusters from your inbox.
1
Select your matrix — Pick the insurance company matrix at the top of the estimate builder. Pricing updates automatically.
2
Add panels — Click each damaged panel on the car diagram. Select damage size (dime, quarter, half dollar, etc.) and quantity. Total updates live.
3
Add photos — Tap the Photos tab to capture or upload damage photos. These attach to emails automatically.
4
Email to adjuster — Tap 📧 Email → Adjuster. The estimate PDF and selected photos are attached. Sends from your real inbox.
5
Create a supplement — Once the estimate is approved and more damage is found, tap 📋 Create Supplement. Track submission and approval status right on the estimate.
04
Pipeline
Managing Your Shop Pipeline
The Storm Flow pipeline is your shop's heartbeat. Every car in the shop is tracked from check-in to delivery.
1
Pipeline stages — Cars move through stages: Needs Estimate → Estimate Sent → Approved → In Repair → QC → Delivery Ready → Delivered. Drag cards between columns or update from the card detail.
2
Assign techs — Tap a pipeline card and assign technicians. Each tech sees their assigned cars on their device in real time.
3
Track parts — Add parts requests directly from the pipeline card. Parts manager sees requests and updates status — tech gets notified when parts arrive.
4
Open the car file — Every pipeline card has a 📁 Car File button. See the full file — estimates, photos, docs, authorization — without leaving the pipeline.
💡 Pro tip: The pipeline updates in real time across all devices. When a tech marks a car complete on their phone, the kanban board updates instantly for everyone in the shop.
05
👥 Team
Team Roles & Permissions
Every team member gets a role that defines exactly what they can see and do. No more techs accidentally touching estimates they shouldn't.
| Role | Estimates | Pipeline | Team Mgmt | Billing | Settings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager / Owner | ✓ Full | ✓ Full | ✓ Full | ✓ Full | ✓ Full |
| Estimator | ✓ Full | ✓ View + Edit | – | – | My Account only |
| PDR / Body Tech | View only | ✓ Assigned cars | – | – | My Account only |
| Parts Manager | View only | ✓ Parts tracking | – | – | My Account only |
| Salesperson | ✓ View + Create | ✓ View | – | – | My Account only |
06
📁 Car Files
The Car File System
Every vehicle in your shop gets a complete digital file — searchable, sharable, and always accessible from any device.
1
Job numbers — Each car gets a unique job number at intake (e.g. JOH-847). Built from the customer's last name + last 3 digits of VIN. Collision-safe and human-readable.
2
What's in a car file — Estimates, supplements, invoices, damage photos, after photos, insurance docs, parts invoices, labor invoices, payment proof, Authorization to Repair, and any other files you upload.
3
Uploading files — Open the Car File from any estimate, pipeline card, or the Documents page. Tap 📎 Upload File. Choose the category from the dropdown (damage photos, insurance docs, payment proof, etc.) and upload.
4
Searching — Go to the Documents page. Search by customer name, VIN, claim number, make/model, or job number. Click any result to open the full car file.
5
Emailing from car file — When you email an estimate, all car file uploads appear as checkboxes in the attachment picker. Select exactly what to attach — estimate PDF, photos, insurance docs, whatever the adjuster needs.
Ready to get started?
Start your 7-day free trial. $129/mo for the shop owner, $29/mo per additional member.