By Uwe Kleinschmidt, CEO and founder of AutoVitals in Santa Barbara, CA
Traditionally, auto technicians record the results of their vehicle inspections on pre-printed paper forms and, once completed, the inspection findings are re-entered into the shop management software application by a service advisor. And, finally, the motorist is notified by phone to ask them for authorization of an estimate based on the inspection results.
This process’ limitations can be overcome by leveraging tablet technologies. Imagine that technicians don’t need to spend time writing on paper anymore, service advisors won’t need to transcribe the inspection results into the shop management software, and the motorist is not only impressed about the professional-looking inspection report, but can also educate themselves about recent recalls, and service recommendations specific for the odometer reading of the vehicle.
Leveraging Mobile Devices
Too good to be true? It’s getting even better: The user interface on the tablet, in conjunction with the fully customizable inspection sheet, is so optimized that typically technicians can save five minutes or more as compared with the paper version. Service advisors simply copy and paste a link to the inspection results in the estimate and save up to 10 minutes. Promotions can be added to the inspection report before they are sent to the motorist.
How does this all work?
Instead of trying to squeeze as many inspection topics on one paper sheet, the electronic version’s full customizability allows shop owners to create make-specific inspection sheets in order to maximize technician productivity. Once the inspection templates are built as needed, the technician selects the inspection sheet on the tablet and starts the inspection.
As the technician walks around the vehicle, the topics for each section can be tapped (see Image 1), images taken and voice recordings made when things become complicated. The inspection results, including high-resolution photos and recorded voice details of specific findings, in conjunction with an inspection result report, are immediately accessible to the service advisor (see Image 2). This allows him to easily prepare an estimate in minutes.
By simply tapping the screen, snapping an image and talking to the device, the technician increases productivity and the accuracy of the inspection process. In the event the inspection requires a road test, the application allows him to monitor the strength of the data connectivity. The Electronic Inspection Sheet application even works without data connectivity during the road test.
Motorists will then be able to review the results, which includes images of affected vehicle systems selected by the service advisor. In addition, OEM service recommendations for the current odometer reading of the vehicle in question, recent recalls, and promotions can be configured and e-mailed to the motorist.
What if the electronic inspection results were available in the shop management software and presented to the motorist, together with the estimates, images from the vehicle and educational videos? Exactly at the time when motorists have questions like “Why now?” or “What happens if I don’t do it?” the service advisor and motorist can look at the same screen, even if the service advisor is at the counter while the motorist is at home, work or anywhere else with Internet access.