How Can Auto Body Technicians Manage Their Data?

Getting into a car accident can be a scary moment, but it can also lead to stress in getting collision repair completed. While getting out those scratches, dents, and any other damage is best left to the pros, you also want to be sure that your car is properly addressed. Handling these cases requires a trustworthy data management system for mechanics and customers alike to be sure that repairs are made and all boxes are checked for a safe return to the road. Here are just some of the ways auto body technicians rely on master data systems.

Mechanics need to be able to track invoices.

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When working with data management vendors, it’s important for businesses to invest in systems that are able to handle their current workflow and expand as needed for scalability purposes. Body shops rely on data to guide them through the repair process. An easily accessible user interface allows mechanics and other staff to track a repair based on the assigned invoice number given to a customer upon their agreement to let them fix their car’s damage.

Auto body repair services are able to track their assessment from the estimate process to completion of the project with a network throughout the shop that establishes progress from start to finish. With the right coding measures, notes on the car damage provide the best assessment for parts and labor costs to deliver exceptional service without having to sacrifice time and expense onto the vehicle’s owner for a quality repair.

Auto body shops constantly deal with insurance companies.

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Insurance carriers will often work with their auto body repair service of choice, or direct a check to cover the cost of repairs to a body shop rather than send it to the customer. Repair shops need to be able to work with their customers and their insurance companies to make sure that they can do an excellent job on a vehicle but still get rightfully compensated. A master data management system helps to track payouts from auto insurance companies based on the claims submitted.

In some cases, car insurance may not cover the full cost of damages. Working with company and client alike, real-time insight into the process alerts staff to inform car owners that they may be on the hook for part of the tab. With an understanding as vendors of what goes into fixing foreign and domestic vehicles, shops are able to address bodywork with knowledge of the car model based on past data from prior instances of collisions and other damage.

Body shops need to have the equipment to make repairs.

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As an auto body shop, your goal is to make all necessary repairs to a damaged vehicle. However, it’s just as important to have the parts and equipment needed to make those fixes. Past repairs act as viable data sources to help assess inventory, alerting repair shops to shortages based on machine learning capabilities. Big data even within the smallest neighborhood shop can make sure that the parts are there to take care of any dents, dings, or anything in between.

Business users rely on data virtualization to become aware of shortages before they happen, even establishing automated orders across certain platforms to get goods from vendors quicker. This allows for the bodywork to be taken care of, regardless of the fender, bumper, or any other replacement that may be required to have a vehicle looking good as new. The right data management tools promote growth and better customer service, both crucial to every single platform when working with an auto shop. After all, the goal remains to get drivers back on the open road.