Digital inspections don’t just benefit customers, service advisors, and shop owners – they also help technicians stay productive. They make communication easier and avoid unnecessary roadblocks that can stop productivity in its tracks.
More Accurate Estimates
Using digital vehicle inspection software helps you eliminate many of the errors that can happen during manual paper-based inspections. The ability to take and store photos and notes makes it easy for technicians to document any issues and create an accurate report that can be sent to the customer. In addition to being more accurate, a digital vehicle inspection is much faster than the traditional method. Your shop can save time and money by removing the need for papers, pens, clips, and clipboards. A clear and organized digital system also makes it easier for customers and your service advisors to build estimates. The ability to record and store photos and notes on a digital inspection also allows your service advisors to build a presentation of the tech’s findings, giving customers the transparency they need to trust your recommendations and keep them coming back. Another great feature of digital inspections is that the history of every inspection is stored in one place, making it easy for service advisors to pull up past reports and see a complete list of recommended repairs or services that are needed.
Increased Customer Trust
If you run a shop, you’ve likely heard of digital vehicle inspections (DVI) through industry groups or webinars. However, despite the increased adoption of this technology, many shops are still not using it or don’t know what it is. The DVI process replaces the traditional paper inspection sheet or clipboard with a tablet. This eliminates grease-smudged forms that never get read and allows technicians to detail their recommendations on the spot. The results of the DVI are instantly sent to the customer, who can review them and give his approval. The DVI process provides a more transparent approach that builds trust between you and your customers. Digital inspections make it easy to include photos and videos of vehicle damage or wear and tear. These attachments are then attached to repair estimates and sent to the customer for review and approval. The DVI process also helps shops close the communication gap between service advisors and technicians by providing a clear, comprehensive way for both parties to communicate. When your customers are clued in on the vehicle’s repairs and necessities, they are more likely to trust you to complete the work and get them back safely on the road. This eliminates the skepticism that can come with an auto repair experience and increases average repair orders.
More Efficient Workflow
The ability to instantly share inspection reports with customers is one of the most valuable aspects of digital vehicle inspections. This helps to build trust with your customers and allows you to provide them with the clarity they need to understand your repair recommendations. Rather than relying on paper forms that can be misplaced or damaged, digital pre-trip inspections operate solely in a software platform easily accessible on mobile devices. This streamlines the process, removing potential errors and providing the flexibility your shop needs to adapt to changing workflow conditions. As a result, your team can spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on what matters most. In addition, a powerful dashboard visualizes inspection data to help identify trends and resolve potential issues before they have the opportunity to turn into costly repairs. With digital solutions, drivers can also complete their FMCSA DVIR paperwork using the app they use to submit their pre-trip inspections. This means that the most current and accurate information is always available, helping your trucking company comply with federal regulations. In addition, you can also use a digital solution to find any discrepancies in your inspection data that the FMCSA may flag during roadside inspections. This enables you to correct errors and avoid fines or penalties quickly.
Increased Productivity
This means a more detailed and accurate inspection covering all concerns for the customer. The technician can also easily include photos or videos in their findings. This is an excellent way to communicate with customers and to help them understand the why behind your recommended repairs. A digital vehicle inspection program can also help you sell more services. This is because it allows your technicians to uncover additional work that needs to be done on a car, such as replacing an oil change with an engine tune-up. With digital inspections, you can send these repair recommendations to the customer via text or email with a link that includes an estimate. Then, the customer can approve or deny the work in seconds. This software also helps your shop maintain a high level of productivity by eliminating the need for paperwork. With traditional inspections, your technicians would have to fill out a paper form with their findings, often with lousy handwriting or, even worse, coffee or tea stains. With a digital inspection system, your technicians can instantly share their findings with the customer through text or email, and they can make notes on the inspection page to explain anything in more detail. Communicating faster and more effectively with service advisors and customers is essential to boosting productivity. This is why many shops choose to switch to digital inspections.
