By: Michael Crooks, Client Solutions Manager
I’ve been involved in the collision repair industry for over a decade, and I’ve seen how things were done “back in the day.” I love going into a shop, asking lots of questions, and helping owners and managers get outside their comfort zones by challenging their “old school” approach.
Maybe I’m biased when it comes to the benefits of embracing technology, but it pains me to see technicians combing through stacks of binders with the OE’s printed repair instructions, or worse, haphazardly guessing their way through a repair.
If every shop’s goal is to provide safe, quality repairs and keep their customers happy, then it should also be every shop’s goal to continuously evaluate their processes to make sure they’re evolving with new technology.
You’ve probably heard the above statement before. Heck, I’ve probably said it to you.
New vehicle systems are pushing cars to the cutting edge, which means their repair procedures can be just as complex. Historically, technicians had a basic knowledge of various vehicle makes and models in their back pockets (and probably still used that trusty binder of printed notes to help them out). But as OEs work to differentiate themselves from competitors, there isn’t really a “standard” anything anymore.
No single technician can know everything about every vehicle. Today, newer model vehicles no longer resemble their earlier models, and repairing them requires a certain degree of technology expertise. Referencing printed OE manuals to give you the latest information about a particular repair is like using a world map to fly a plane – at best, you’re flying blind.
Rather than reaching for a binder, technicians should embrace a more digital approach. Getting the latest OE repair information in near-real-time means the shop doesn’t have to worry about staying up to date with printed materials. It’s all right there, online, where technicians work (and play) every day.
CCC® Repair Methods is a single subscription that gives you all OE repair methods, many with unabridged content directly from them. Technicians can access it right from CCCONE.com. It works like the search engines they’re already using.
Bonus? Repair Methods uses images and text to help make it clear how to complete the repair and can be accessed while standing right next to the car, eliminating the steps between the vehicle and desktop.
Completing a quality repair is more necessary, and now easier, than ever. Plus, you’ll probably save a few dollars spent on printer ink in the process.
