webSAM is different!


There are definitely some cool features in webSAM that are not available in SAM Desktop, like drag'n'drop Diary and Digital Estimates and both being Workshop Management Systems they share a number of core features such as Reminders, Job Cards and Vehicle Details; but they are different systems intentionally and have many more differences than we can begin to list.


However, after doing a good number of conversions to webSAM, here are a few of the specific differences that are worth being aware of when making the change...



It's slightly slower than SAM Desktop

Like all web-based software, we're only as fast as your internet allows.  However, even with a fast internet connection, there is still a small lag between you clicking a button and that action being completed. However, speed is one of the key areas for continuous improvement, so we expect ourselves to be as fast as any modern web software.


Takes a few more clicks to print

In SAM Desktop, you can print your invoices, Purchase orders, reports...etc directly to your printer.  However, like other online systems (e.g. Xero), webSAM cannot print directly to your printer, so printing reports and invoices requires more clicks.


Some SAM Desktop add-ons are not available

webSAM currently supports the following add-ons:

  1. Carjam (NZTA Lookup)
  2. SMS
  3. Xero integration
  4. EWOF

This means any other add-ons are not included, for example:

  • Repco parts ordering
  • Parts Catalogues
  • Eftpos integration
  • MYOB
  • NAPA Ordering
  • eSpares


Different invoice/job card/estimate formats


Invoices, statements and to be fair most things printed from webSAM will appear different than SAM, but here are some specific differences worth noting:


Job text

  • webSAM has a new dedicated text box for technician instructions, this means if you usually add a job template with text for tech instructions, it won't print on the job card.  Instead, you use the technician instruction text box, which also has library text.

Custom form designs

  • webSAM does not have custom formats like we did with SAM Desktop.  However, webSAM does come with multiple default formats for you to choose.

Form watermarking

  • webSAM does not support form watermarking.


Return procured part(s) to stock.

in webSAM you can only return a procured part to the supplier as a credit.  You cannot return that part to your stock file.


WOF Sheet printing

webSAM does not have WOF sheet printing.


Accounts module & statements

With our integration to Xero, webSAM has outsourced accounting functions to Xero.  This means websSAM does not have functions like debtors, creditors, or general ledger.  Similarly, without a debtor module, webSAM cannot send statements, this task is done in Xero.


The Xero Interface is different to SAM X!

As webSAM does not have closed periods (you don't do month end rollovers) so you don't get monthly postings of opening and closing stock valuations and Work in Progress, and figures will be represented differently in the GL (some in different reporting sections completely). This is better explained here in the webSAM Xero Setup KB.


So why would I switch to webSAM?


As noted in the beginning, there are many features in webSAM that are not in SAM Desktop - so maybe you care a lot about having those (e.g. digital estimates), and these benefits may outweigh the negative.


It is also important to note that we're constantly improving webSAM (updated 4 times in 2022).  This means some of the issues listed above may not be an issue later on.


So for those interested in webSAM, we strongly recommend you ask us for a trial system, really play with it and try to use it to do some of your daily operations - it's like buying a car, you've got to take it for a test drive to really know.