Information providers are more than estimating systems of OEM repair procedures
When we hear the term, information provider, we immediately think of our estimating system, but there are other providers to consider. This is because there is so much more to collision damage estimating.
The hand-written estimate of yesteryear was relatively simple. If you have enough gray hair, you may remember looking through the engine compartment and seeing pavement below. With relatively few vehicle manufacturers, you may remember knowing exactly what parts were needed in a front-end collision and how they were all replaced. You knew what was behind that rocker panel or B-pillar. You knew that some steel was thicker than others, but it was all mild and could be worked, even with heat, as needed.
None of this is true today. Under the hood, it is now rare to see the engine, much less the ground beneath it. A wide range of manufacturers, vehicle crossovers and new models introduced monthly make it nearly impossible to keep up on all the details of each. While a material may look like steel, we don't know exactly how hard it is or how easy it is to unintentionally change its properties.
We need more than just part prices and labor times. We need to know exactly how this vehicle is supposed to be repaired. Are there any repair options for the types of high-strength steel it utilizes? Is sectioning a choice or must it be replaced at factory seams? Is it supposed to be welded, bonded, riveted, or some combination of these? We need more information.
Estimating systems are beginning to identify part materials. This is a start but still doesn't provide a thorough identification for all parts. Vehicle manufacturers may change part design or steel content during a model run. They may change repair procedures with new experience or techniques.
How can we keep up with all this? Information is the answer – more information than we ever needed before and it will continue to grow in importance. Vehicle manufacturers must be viewed as information providers for repair procedures.
It wasn't very long ago when a few shop manuals were usually good enough for an entire model year, perhaps several model years. That is no longer true. First, there is too much information about one model today to reasonably fit in a conveniently sized book. Second, with the wide variety of information available, one item would be difficult to locate when needed. Finally, the information changes often. Flipping through dirty, torn, scribbled-on pages is no longer an option.
Enter the Web and online access. The OEMs have been loading information on their Web sites for several years now. Their content and usefulness keeps growing. These started out as fee-based services, with some being quite expensive. Without reimbursement for this additional expense, repairer use of these Web sites was minimized.
OEM information providers continue to evolve and respond to the marketplace. They have a vested interest in having these vehicles repaired correctly and Web site pricing continues to come down. GM collision repair information is available at no charge and Chrysler requires just a minor one-time setup fee.
Direct access to most OEM Web sites is at www.oem1stop.com. Each Web site has a different structure to it, but they are easily learned.
Aftermarket vendors with repair information also are available and sometimes offer more consistent information searches among the manufacturers. These are subscription-based and may be more convenient for some repairers.
Information providers are more than estimating systems. OEM repair procedures are more critical today and may be needed prior to writing that estimate.
Last year at the International Autobody Congress & Exposition, an interesting question was raised: "Why not just include instructions with each replacement part?" The OEMs had a telling answer: "During the time that part is made, packaged, warehoused and finally shipped to a repairer for use, the procedures may have changed." That speaks volumes about the need for current repair information at the time it will be used.
Contact info:
