WDYD? Efficiently preparing estimates and invoices?

[Greg Minnick]

There are a couple companies starting to do automotive inspection forms on tablets; I’m trying to do that and take it one step further with tablets and voice to text. I’d like each tech to have a tablet that would have forms for inspections, parts requests, upsells etc. to fill out and a way to use voice to text to add the notes/story as they go. These could then be emailed to advisor and copy/paste into POS software. They would also be able to access alldata online, identifix whatever you have on the tablet through the shop wireless and have it in front of them at the vehicle. Requires a standard size tablet and an Otterbox defender case for protection. It’s still very much in the beginning stages though.

[mrisich]

We have just announced that our technology is available. 100% completely integrated with Management Systems

The Tech performs a multipoint inspection; if there is a recommendation it automatically shows up in the Shop Management Database as a recommendation.

Speech to text, is already available. Many other features like VIN scanning & Decoding, Taking Pictures, Starting Estimates/Repair Orders, etc.

This is not a separate system; it is 100% integrated with your management system.

Check out these videos!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo5FKnWh6TU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRxmMc98RdE

Live Demo’s @ AAPEX in Las Vegas! Booth 731

 

 

 

[sutton32-aol-com]

This all sounds interesting, what does a system like this cost? Does it interface with Mitchell? Waiting for more info on Auto vitals, has anybody heard about them?

[Greg Minnick]

Mike, I’m not going to be at AAPEX. Can your system do multiple inspections if I want a brake inspection, prepurchase inspection, etc? Can it be customized by me? Can I set up drop down menu items for things like brake pad thickness and rotor thickness to cut down on typing? I didn’t see this product/service on the Bolt On site.

-Greg

[mrisich]

Sutton – We are a Mitchell1 Business Partner; and the OEM of Mitchell1 Pro Pack which is our Lube Sticker, Report Pro & Message Manger Pro (text messaging). Our technology is variable priced based on your needs; I would recommend you contacting Frank in my office (610)-400-1019 x113 as he can put together the package that would work best for you. In addition there are some promo’s going on now with our pre-launch release.

Greg – you are right; we have left this off our main site during our soft launch of the software. However you can navigate to http://www.mobilemanagerpro.com which will give you some screen shots. The best thing to do is to watch the 20 plus (short) youtube videos that we have produced.

Mobile Manager Pro – is the only fully integrated Shop Management Application; there are so many features that allow you to be more efficient. From starting orders at the vehicle in the parking lot, to adding symptoms and canned jobs to the order; scanning VIN’s (with full VIN Decode), taking pictures, performing multipoint inspections (that you customize 100%, and yes you can add drop down lists for Techs to choose from rather then typing). You can print key tag’s & Lube Stickers from the tablet; send emails, send text messages and more. The feedback from our initial BETA group has been very strong, shops are realizing the time savings and the benefits of the digital multipoint inspection process; with the ability to capture images and share them with the customer.

Another winner is the integration; when the technician adds a recommendation, typed or selected from list, that recommendation goes right into the management system. There are not two databases, it is all stored in your management system.

When a user prints the lube sticker; all the features of our lube sticker program run. So printing the lube sticker will book the next appointment on the schedule and put in the recommendation for the next oil change as well…

[dickdeloach]

I think you’ve developed a great product. I work closely with many independent repair shops…and collision shops…in California. I would love to talk to you more about featuring Mobile Manager Pro in a special editorial focus on New Technology and Modern Shop Management. 

Sincerely,
Dick DeLoach

[gene]

We use einspect, here is the website http://shoptalktools.com/ 

Low cost, integrates with most POS systems and the techs use this because it’s easy, even for the old guys, our 60 year old tech is using this with no concerns.

We have used this for several years without a problem. It also has tablet, integrated pictures and email.

I like it.

 

Gene Morrill

Certified Automotive Specialists

Glendora, CA.

[Robert Berry]

We have been working the Tech findings to Repair Order problem for years. Tech’s are creative creatures and work in mysterious ways. One uses Email to communicate findings and estimate parts and labor with the office, one uses shop estimates sheets and the other will use Identifix or Mitchell Quote System. We have used Voxer to communicate while on the road, etc.  All work fine and reporting the findings to the customer within 10-30 minutes depending on the situation. I have looked at the Electronic Inspection Systems and they look impressive.  Electronic Inspection is icing on the cake for selling the job. I use my smart phone all the time to sell service & repair. 

The real problem for the Office Staff has been creating a estimate in a timely manner. Parts and Canned Jobs go fairly quick but documentation (tests, repairs and notes) is the real time sucker. So I’m interested as well how we can improve estimating quicker. Tried and true is working, but I would love to see improvements.

 

Bruce Berry

International Auto Works

[mrisich]

Bruce, maybe you are efficient? Have you ever performed a time study on how long it takes for your tech to perform an inspection?

[handerson2-neb-rr-com]

I won’t take a lot of your time to tell you about the leader in the race:Autovitals has developed both Standalone and Integrated versions of tablet based inspection sheets.  With easy inclusion of both photographic and audio recording, VIN barcode scanning, preset conditions, and multiple inspections, Autovitals EIS works with both IOS and Android applications.  Fifteen free trial inspections are available just for downloading from your app store.  http://www.autovitals.com/eis/

[adamkushner]

I think the tablet inspection is very cool.  Autovitals and Bolt-On have great products.  I did not think Autovitals has SMS integration?  I may need to Demo it again.  Again, I think these are very cool, but I’m still a skeptic of it in a production environment.  I would like to hear from shops and techs using it.

Mike, when is this coming to Google Glass?  Now that would be cool, like the BMW augmented reality repair information youtube video…Is your inspection report product integrated with the EIS product?

I think eAutoClub has a great solution as well.  Data mining for keyword triggers of services performed.  Then a report of what services are due.  This is not perfect as it is not Year/Make/Model specific. Bolt-On has this as well at a category specific level, so you must be using categories to have accuracy(correct me if I’m wrong Mike). Bolt-on is not YMM either as far as I know.

Either way these automated service presentation products are worth looking at…

[mrisich]

Hi Adam:

  – You are correct; our data mining is category specific, what we have done now is simply digitized the experience. We are seeing an overwhelming response to this, our shops are capturing images and sharing them with their customers every day!

  – Another big one for us, is the integration of a recommendation from the tablet automatically becoming a recommendation in the management system.

  – Remember digital inspection is only one module in our mobile offering, we also can start orders for new or existing customers and/or vehicles, add symptoms, canned jobs, print digital key tags, digital lube stickers, send text messages, SCAN VINS (WITH DECODE) and more.

  – Google Glass; well you must have been in one of our meetings because we see that coming, the challenge is the cost at $1500.00 / glass it may not be cost effective today.

  – We are collecting testimonials now to add to our marketing efforts, for now I know there is one on the public Mitchell1 forum from an early adopter.

  – Another FYI – we currently support Mitchell1/Snap – On SE & ALLDATA Manage. Next quarter Tasco Tireworks HD will be available.

  – Sorry for delayed in my response, we had a very successful AAPEX show!