Auto Workshop Management System (MERN Stack)

A full-featured MERN stack app for managing auto workshop appointments, inventory, finances, and customer queries.

Overview

The Auto Workshop Management System is a complete MERN stack web application designed to streamline the operations of automobile workshops. It offers a user-friendly interface for scheduling appointments, managing car parts inventory, tracking financial transactions, and answering customer queries via an integrated chatbot. The system aims to enhance workshop efficiency by providing a seamless experience for both the workshop staff and customers.

Technology

• Frontend: React, Tailwind CSS, Ant Design
• Backend: Node.js, Express
• Database: MongoDB
• Authentication: JWT (JSON Web Token)
• State Management: React Context API
• File Storage: Images stored as byte arrays in MongoDB
• Chatbot: Python backend with Excel data integration

Environment Variables

To run this project, you will need to add the following environment variables to your

server .env file

PORT =

MONGO_URI =

NODE_ENV=development

JWT_SECRET =

OPENAI_API_KEY= <Your_OpenAI_key>

EMAIL_HOST = smtp.gmail.com

EMAIL_USER = <your_gmail_address>

EMAIL_PASS = <your_gmail_password>

FRONTEND_URL = <url:port>

client .env file

REACT_APP_BACKEND_URL = <url:port>

Initializing Project

Create a clone of this project and open the root folder in the terminal.

For Chatbot (Python)

Install python first in your system. Open cmd and type the following :

  python --version

this will verify the installation by displaying the current installed version. Then type the following command to install the required libraries :

 pip install langchain_openai langchain_community faiss-cpu

 pip install pandas python-dotenv

Chatbot is all set up.

For WebApp

Open separate terminals for client and server.

Run the following command in both terminals.

  npm install

In case of any issue with dependencies, run :

  npm install --legacy-peer-deps

Now start both client and server using :

  npm start

If any issue arises, install or update the relevant package.

Admin API

To create the admin (Workshop Manager) account use postman to target the following api with the specific data below.

Get all items

Replace url:port below with your url and backend server port e.g localhost:8080

  POST <url:port>/api/auth/register_wm

x-www-form-urlencoded :

Key	Value
name	string
email	string
phoneno	string
password	string

Password should be greater than 6 digits

Features

For Users

• Appointment Booking

  • Easily schedule appointments for vehicle services.
  • Enter car details including car name and number.
  • Add a description of the issue or service request.
  • View the status of appointments (Pending, Approved, Completed).

• Appointment History

  • View upcoming appointments and service history.
  • Check the status of each booking.
  • Receive update emails for appointment changes.

• Chatbot Support

  • Get automated responses for common vehicle issues.
  • Immediate help for basic troubleshooting tips.

• User Profile Management

  • Create and update personal profile.

• Browse Parts

  • Browse and view available parts and their prices.

• Reviews

  • Can give reviews on previously completed jobs.

For Workshop Manager

• Comprehensive Dashboard

  • Get an overview of appointments and financial metrics.
  • Analytics for monthly and weekly new users.

• Appointment Management

  • View, approve, or decline service appointments.
  • Update the status of each appointment (In Progress, Completed).
  • Filter and sort appointments by date, status, or customer.

• Inventory Management

  • Add, edit, and delete car parts from the inventory.
  • Track stock levels and prices.

• Financial Tracking

  • Record incoming payments and expenses.
  • View transaction history with filters for date, category, and payment method.

• Accounts Management

  • Add and remove more workshop managers that can access admin features.

• View Reviews

  • View all the reviews of the clients that have gotten their jobs completed.

Sample Views

Landing Page

Login Page

Register Page

Forgot Password

Chat-Bot

Services

Book Appointment

My Appointments

Admin Dashboard

Handle Appointments

Track Finances

Account Management

FAQ

1. How to login as Admin once we have created it using postman ? -Whenever you login using the admin credentials, the system opens the admin dashboard as there is no normal view for the admin.

2. What is the Auto Workshop Management System?

   • It’s a web application designed to help automobile workshops manage their operations, including appointments, inventory, financial tracking, and customer support.

3. Who can use this system?

   • The system is designed for both workshop managers and customers. Workshop managers can use it for managing operations, while customers can use it for booking appointments and getting support.

4. How do I book an appointment?

   • Simply create an account, navigate to the 'Book Appointment' section, provide your car details and problem description, and submit the request.

5. Can I edit or cancel an appointment after booking?

   • Yes, you can edit or cancel your appointment from your dashboard, provided the appointment status is still pending.

6. How is my data secured?

   • We use JWT (JSON Web Token) for secure user authentication, and all sensitive information, like passwords, is encrypted using bcrypt.

7. How do I reset my password if I forget it?

   • Click on the ‘Forgot Password’ link on the login page. You’ll receive an email with instructions to reset your password.

8. Where do I get the OpenAI API key?

   • To get an OpenAI API key, follow these steps:
     1. Go to OpenAI's platform website.
     2. Log in with your OpenAI account, or sign up if you don't have one.
     3. Navigate to the API Keys section in your account settings.
     4. Click on Create new secret key, then copy and save it in a secure place.

Important: Keep your API key private. Do not expose it in your code or public repositories.