I’ve always liked catalogs but can’t really explain why. Maybe it’s the time period I grew up in, or maybe it’s because I used to think they were easier to use. I got into the industry long before parts departments were using computers, and catalog racks that stretched longer than your arm span were status quo.

My first industry job was in a parts department, and once you got used to the format of the catalogs, you realized the logic that went into laying them out, and finding parts was measured in the seconds it took and nothing more. It was literally, as easy as 1, 2, 3. Areas of a car like brakes or cooling system became numbers in your mind, and you could flip to a catalog section quicker than the customer would finish what they were asking for.

For those of us who were used to the catalogs, it was hard to give them up, partly because it took a long time before the same type of efficiency could be reached by a computer. However, it wasn’t the fault of the computer, rather the design of the application that held things up. As with all electronics that changed the face of this industry, websites and catalogs had to grind through their share of growing pains.

The bugs have long been worked out of using computer-based systems, but a well thought out design is still necessary to make any application worthwhile, and that’s exactly what we’ve done with the TechShop Buyer’s Guide.

The TechShop Buyer’s Guide is like a tool catalog on steroids, with an easy-to-use interface that works much quicker than I could ever flip pages, even on my best day. If you’re looking for automotive tools and equipment, and you’d like to know your options, the TechShop Buyer’s Guide is such an application.

Equally user friendly on a computer or a cell phone, here’s how it works. At the top of our techshopmag.com website homepage, you’ll immediately spot the words “Buyer’s Guide,” or on a cell phone, it’s the first option when you touch the menu icon in the upper left. Select it, and you’ll have the option to search by company, category or alphabetically, for whatever you need.

With the instant power of the internet, a complete list of tool manufacturers and company information is at your fingertips. And what’s more is that all product posts, news and videos from each company can be accessed directly from their profile.

So, the next time you need tool company info, try out the TechShop Buyer’s Guide. After all, it’s a new year, so why not try out some new things