Custom Fields

Custom Fields

Overview

Custom Fields allow shops to capture and store information that is not included in the standard BodyShop Booster data structure.

Custom Fields can be used to collect, display, and store information on both Customer Records and Repair Records. They can also be used throughout BodyShop Booster in Automations, Templates, Advanced eSign Forms, and Open API integrations.

When designed correctly, Custom Fields provide a flexible way to tailor BodyShop Booster to a shop's unique processes and workflows.

Types of Custom Fields

There are two types of Custom Fields:

Customer-Level Custom Fields

Customer-Level Custom Fields store information about the customer and remain associated with that customer across all repair records.

Examples:

• How Did You Hear About Us?
• Preferred Contact Method
• Referral Source
• Customer Preferences

Because these fields belong to the customer, they remain available for all future repair records.

Repair Record-Level Custom Fields

Repair Record-Level Custom Fields store information specific to a single repair event.

Examples:

• Horn Operational
• Rental Vehicle Required
• Vehicle Check-In Notes
• Inspection Responses
• Repair-Specific Intake Information

These fields can vary from one repair record to another, even for the same customer.

Repair Record Categories

When creating a Repair Record Custom Field, you'll also select where the field belongs within the repair record.

Examples:

• Repair Details
• Vehicle Details
• Estimate Details
• Insurance Details

This determines where users will find the field within the repair record.

MSO Considerations

Custom Fields are created at the MSO level.

Once created:

• The field becomes available to all locations within the MSO.
• Individual locations may choose whether or not to use the field.
• Custom Fields cannot be created independently for individual locations.

This helps maintain consistency across the organization.

Planning Your Custom Field

Before creating a Custom Field, take a moment to determine where the information belongs and how it will be used.

Selecting the wrong Custom Field type or record level can create reporting, automation, and workflow challenges later.

Question 1: Does the information belong to the Customer or the Repair Record?

Choose Customer Record when:

The information should remain associated with the customer across all future repairs.

Examples:

• Preferred Contact Method
• How Did You Hear About Us?
• Referral Source
• Customer Preferences

Rule of Thumb: If the answer should still be true for the customer's next repair, it probably belongs on the Customer Record.

Choose Repair Record when:

The information applies only to a specific repair event.

Examples:

• Horn Operational
• Rental Needed
• Vehicle Check-In Notes
• Pre-Repair Inspection Results
• DRP Assignment Information

Rule of Thumb: If the answer could change on the customer's next repair, it probably belongs on the Repair Record.

Question 2: What Type of Data Are You Collecting?

Choose the field type that best matches the information being collected.

Common Mistakes

Creating a Customer Field for Repair-Specific Information

❌ Rental Needed

✅ Repair Record Field

A customer may need a rental for one repair but not another.

Creating a Repair Record Field for Long-Term Customer Preferences

❌ Preferred Contact Method

✅ Customer Field

The customer's preferred contact method typically applies across all repairs.

Using Text Instead of a Select List

❌ Rental Company = Text Field

Possible values:

• Enterprise
• enterprise
• ENTERPRISE
• Hertz

✅ Single Select

Options:

• Enterprise
• Hertz
• None

Using predefined options improves reporting, consistency, and automation reliability.

Using Custom Fields

Custom Fields are not limited to storing information. Once created, they can be used throughout BodyShop Booster to drive workflows, personalize communications, and collect information.

Automations (Logic Blocks & Evaluations)

Custom Fields can be used within Automations as conditions for Logic Blocks and Evaluations.

Examples:

• If Rental Needed = Yes
• If Preferred Contact Method = Text
• If Horn Operational = No

This allows shops to build workflows based on information collected from customers and repair records.

Templates & Fillables

Custom Fields can be used as Fillables within templates.

Examples:

• Email Templates
• SMS Templates
• Documents
• Customer Communications

This allows custom information to be dynamically inserted into messages and documents.

Advanced eSign Forms

Custom Fields can be displayed, collected, and updated through Advanced eSign Forms.

Examples:

• Customer intake forms
• Vehicle check-in forms
• Surveys
• Inspection forms
• Authorization forms

Information entered by the customer is automatically written back to the appropriate Customer Record or Repair Record.

Open API Integrations

Custom Fields can be populated through inbound Open API integrations.

This allows third-party systems to send custom data into BodyShop Booster and store it within Customer Records or Repair Records.

One common use case is integrating with production and management systems to keep information synchronized between systems.

Example:

• A vehicle moves into the Body stage within a production management system.
• The production system sends that information through the Open API.
• A Custom Field or Status is updated in BodyShop Booster.
• The update can then trigger automations, customer communications, internal notifications, or workflow actions.

This allows shops to automate processes based on information originating from external systems while keeping customer communication and workflows centralized within BodyShop Booster.

Creating a Custom Field

Step 1: Select Record Type

Choose whether the field belongs to:

• Customer Record
• Repair Record

This determines where the data will be stored.

Step 2: Name the Field

Provide a clear, descriptive name.

Examples:

• Preferred Contact Method
• Horn Operational
• Rental Needed

A Short Code will be automatically generated based on the field name.

The Short Code can be edited if needed, but in most cases the default value is sufficient.

Step 3: Select a Field Type

Available field types include:

• Currency
• Date
• Date Time
• Email
• Multi Select
• Number
• Phone Number
• Single Select
• Star Rating
• Text (Multi-Line)
• Text (Single-Line)
• Time

Choose the field type that best matches the information being collected.

Step 4: Add a Description

Descriptions are optional but recommended.

Descriptions help explain:

• Why the field exists
• What information should be entered
• How the field is intended to be used

Step 5: Configure CRM Behavior

Each field can be configured with one of the following behaviors:

Hidden

The field exists but is not displayed in the CRM.

View Only

Users can see the value but cannot modify it.

Editable

Users can view and update the value.

Most Custom Fields are configured as Editable.

Step 6: Configure Data Classification

Custom Fields can be categorized based on the type of information they contain.

Options include:

• Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
• Commercially Sensitive Information
• Financially Sensitive Information

These settings help control how information can be shared with customers, partners, and third-party systems.

Step 7: Additional Settings

Show in Partner Notes

Determines whether the field should be included in Partner Notes.

Available to PhoneBooster

Determines whether PhoneBooster AI can access the field.

This allows sensitive information to be hidden from AI interactions when appropriate.

Key Takeaway

Custom Fields are one of the most flexible tools within BodyShop Booster.

When designed thoughtfully, they allow shops to collect information, drive automations, personalize customer communications, build Advanced eSign Forms, and integrate with external systems—all while keeping data organized and accessible.