OCTOBER 2023 AFTERMARKET 17 www.aftermarketonline.net Automated digital communication is sent to the portal at every stage, for the customer to access in real-time. Inside the garage this could be live updates on the status of their repair, for mobile operations this could be accurate updates on the whereabouts of the technician coming to execute their repair. dentify and manage minor faults By digitising all customer interactions, garages and automotive service providers can also maintain customer data and history and streamline services according to this information. Here’s where this can really pay off in the current economic environment. Any non-critical faults that might save the customer some money on this appointment can be flagged and tracked to address later. Here again, a more predictive maintenance management approach can remind customers to book their next services when needed based on relevant customer data – to capture recurring revenue but also let customers manage and prioritise their requirements on their own terms. 2.Boosting operational efficiency with increased automation Of course, it’s not just the customer themselves getting better value from more streamlined, intelligent and efficient processes. Operationally, introducing new tech will have significant business benefits too – right from initial booking through to job execution and recurring revenue. Automated scheduling delivers the best outcomes for while maximising efficiencies with our automated scheduling. Dynamic appointment booking easily books customers into lanes, bays, offices or other site locations from the schedule board. Managers, dispatchers, and admin users have the ability to accommodate walk-in customers, additional jobs and last-minute changes. Capturing key customer information that integrates with dynamic scheduling ensures added jobs are optimally scheduled to accommodate more services per day. Avoid inventory shortages One of the best efficiency benefits that technology and software can offer to automotive repair organisations shops is inventory management. End-to-end software can track inventory levels at all times and trigger responses to shortages accordingly. This type of platform can also connect with vendors and automatically notify them of required inventory, products and parts. With the Motor Ombudsman reporting citing inventory shortages was a key pain point right now – automating these processes can significantly alleviate these inventory pressures. 3.Keeping employees on the right road Not only should technology optimise stock and resources, but it can also maximise employee productivity too. It begins with assigning the most suitable technician to each specific job. Putting technology into the hands of technicians in auto repair centres and in the field, makes their jobs much easier. Tablet-based systems can easily guide technicians through jobs, including integrations to access information such as vehicle identification numbers and all the details of vehicles to make the process quicker and more transparent. Technicians will need the ability to add additional jobs that are needed on the vehicle – the system, which should then automatically remove completed jobs from the technician’s diary to free up any other available slots throughout the course of the day. Not only will this ensure quality assurance, audit trails and time stamps, but without the option to adjust labour timings, technicians are encouraged to complete the necessary MOT, service, or repair within the designated time slot. All these tech-enabled efficiencies will translate into bottom line benefits. We are a case in point. We used Avayler to manage the Halfords expansion to mobile operations, and it was both successful and profitable. Very quickly we were able to increase productivity by 20% on top of our initial projections, while ensuring the highest levels of customer satisfaction New digital solutions drive the future of the garage Both drivers and automotive repair providers are feeling the effects of inflation everywhere, especially as this era of economic hardship isn’t expected to disappear quickly, but those who look to new models to serve customers and prioritise digital solutions will prosper. Automotive repair providers should take this chance to re-calibrate their business systems and make the most of available technology to provide a better service to their customers. A tech-focused investment could propel garages well into the future of the auto repair industry. www.aftermarketonline.net Automotive aft software desig Business mana e easy- reporting processes in on s, stock mana Integrate your sale termarket gned for the agement age. -to-use pack d gement, accounting an factors Motor 7/10 Used by 7 Autopart For further information or to request a demo, pleas www.mamsoft.co.uk/autopart or call us on 01226 35 se visit 52901
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