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INSIGHT To understand how information and electronics are going to fundamentally alter the service bay, think about the changes already present in other areas of daily life. Self-serve gas pump technology is a good example, with pay-at-the-pump and onscreen marketing. Stations are using the power of information to drive extra revenue for their business. Look at the onboard information being offered in new cars-directions, weather, roadside assistance, and remote diagnostics. Telephones today have onboard displays for caller ID, e- mail, and more. Information is fundamental to the way we live, and it is fast becoming fundamental to the way we service vehicles. A REVOLUTION IN TIME MANAGEMENT Time management has become a key factor in vehicle service. Repairs that used to be described as an "afternoon job" have come to be expressed in fractions of hours. Many tasks are timed to the minute. Clearly, any improvement that can trim 10 or 15 minutes from a repair can add up to many hours, and many dollars, over the course of a month. Productivity, and the equipment that enhances it, are of primary importance to shop managers today. Table 1 shows the impact, in dollars, that results from even a small productivity improvement. Clearly, technology's ability to create productivity enhancements should be a major factor when considering any new equipment purchase. Assume a new technology costs $1,200 per service bay. Multiply that times the number of service bays, five in this case, and you get an initial investment of $6,000. With an annual savings of almost $18,000, the investment would be completely paid back within four months, and then would continue to generate additional savings year after year. The evolution of modern electronics has changed vehicle maintenance and fueling procedures dramatically-for the better. TABLE 1 One of the biggest productivity enhancements to emerge in recent years is the addition of new technology to lifts, such as the inbay(TM) system now available from Rotary Lift (Madison, Indiana). By automating and adding electronic control to functions that formerly required time-consuming manual operation, technicians can work faster, turn more vehicles, and in many cases, provide more accurate and appropriate service. Lowering a vehicle on a lift, for example, typically requires two hands, and can only be done from one side of the lift. Now, with the latest technology and operating controls on both sides, it is a one-finger operation from either side of the lift, effectively cutting in half the number of steps a technician takes. THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN MAINTENANCE, TRAINING, AND SAFETY The power of the microprocessor is being harnessed right at the point of service to deliver vehicle data, operation instructions, training, maintenance reminders, and trouble-shooting tips. Plus, many shops are putting Internet access and other forms of communication right at the fingertips of the technician. The potential benefits are great, including: * Electronic maintenance reminders right on the equipment, lead to fewer repairs, less downtime, and longer equipment life. * Onboard training helps new employees (or employees new to using the equipment) become familiar with the operation and safety of the tool. * On-screen operation instructions save the technician a trip to the workbench to dig through paper manuals for needed information. * Trouble-shooting tips allow the technician to quickly figure out a problem and get the equipment back into productivity. * The ultimate goal is to provide vital information exactly where it is needed and minimize the technician's time away from the bay, while streamlining parts ordering, timekeeping, and other routine functions. When evaluating tools and equipment for the service bay, be sure to look for technology and design that will yield greater productivity today, and deliver a platform for future innovations and advances. It is also important to consider how the latest new equipment helps attract and retain techsavvy employees who are seeking a modern and productive work environment. Today's technician has communication capabilities at his or her fingertips, plus electronic maintenance reminders, on-screen operation instructions, and trouble-shooting tips to streamline operations.
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Source: Information for the above article was supplied by Rotary Lift, www. rotarylift. com. Copyright Public Works Journal Corporation Jul 2002
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