SAN DIEGO — Mitchell Repair Information Co. L.L.C. has updated its Mitchell 1 Manager SE shop management software to include new automotive fleet management and communication features.
The latest enhancements in Manager SE increase service providers' capability to integrate and communicate with their automotive fleet customers, the company said, noting that repair facilities using Manager SE to track shop productivity can now integrate with their fleet customers' management systems, allowing them to share estimates, service records and other information.
The new integration creates better alignment among shops that use Mitchell 1 shop management systems and the automotive fleets they service, the company said.
While a service operation is focused on documenting all repairs done at their shop, fleet operators are focused on documenting repairs done on the assets they maintain (cars, trucks, trailers, etc.), the company said.
"Typically, as an asset is serviced at a shop, there are a variety of phone calls made — to schedule the appointment, to gain approval for work needed and for final invoicing and payment terms," Mitchell 1 said. "Some fleet management companies offer a self-serve portal that shops can use to perform all of these functions, but those require double-entry into the shop's management system as well.
"With integration to Manager SE, automotive fleets requiring service on their vehicles can send requests to a service provider directly from their management system to Mitchell 1's shop management system. Without ever picking up a phone, the service provider can accept the work, share estimates, get approvals and even get paid.
"Importantly, the final record of the repair is shared with the fleet management system so the vehicle's service history is maintained there as well as at the servicing shop. This efficient communication eliminates manual entry on two systems, as well as much of the back-and-forth delays inherent in getting vehicles scheduled in and through the repair process."