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Imagine the convenience of being able to process
estimates and supplements or update your scheduling,
production or parts while being right on the
shop floor. Using a Tablet PC with wireless Internet,
estimating and shop management systems can be
accessed, and information can be entered from
anywhere in the shop, saving time and increasing
productivity.
What is a Tablet PC?
If you haven’t seen a Tablet PC, you may
be wondering what it is and how it works. A Tablet
PC is a lightweight, fully functional and portable
computer. Unlike a laptop, the slim, flat screen
monitor detaches or swivels (depending on the
model) and the fully functioning unit can be
easily transported and used wherever it is needed.
When mobility is not required, the unit can be
docked into a stand and used like a regular desktop
computer.
Greg Smith, Autoprise client and Manager of
Kirmac Collision’s Surrey, B.C. location,
started using a Tablet PC with wireless Internet
and it has exceeded his expectations for ease
of use and return on investment. Currently, he
is using the Tablet PC to process estimates and
supplements, already realizing efficiency and
labor savings in excess of forty thousand per
year. Next steps include using the Tablet PC
to further utilize his shop management system
for scheduling, parts and production management – right
from the shop floor.
How the Tablet PC Increases Efficiency
The ability to be standing right at the vehicle
and enter information directly into the computer
where it can be sent or printed via the wireless
Internet connection is a significant time saver.
Prior to having the Tablet PC, estimates and
supplements were written by hand at the vehicle
and then entered in at a workstation in the
office. In many cases, it was necessary to
return to the same vehicle more than once to
double check details, further making this a
time-consuming activity.
“Return on investment has been impressive,” said
Greg Smith. “The Tablet PC has more than
paid for itself already, and it has not yet been
utilized to its fullest potential in my shop.
I have found the convenience of being able to
enter information for estimates and supplements
while being right at the vehicle is a huge time
saver. It eliminates the need to write details
down by hand, and then re-enter it into the computer
in the office. The portable nature of the Tablet
PC fits in well with the Collision industry.”
Next Steps
Moving forward, Greg plans on utilizing the
Tablet PC for scheduling, parts and production
management as well. Kirmac Collision uses Autoprise’s
Unity shop management solution to manage parts,
production, scheduling and accounting. The
system can be used on the tablet PC, allowing
Greg to be on the shop floor checking production
and scheduling live in real-time.
In the future, Greg looks forward to utilizing
voice recognition technology where he could
talk into the Tablet PC and say, “Replace
this part…” and it would automatically
be in the computer. He figures it’s only
a matter of time before this will be common
practice in shops across North America.
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