OEConnection LLC, a leading provider of technology servicing the automotive original equipment (OE) replacement parts industry, has announced that it has formed a new relationship with Norgate Technologies, a leader in business management systems for collision shops.
OEConnection has integrated its CollisionLink ecommerce parts procurement technology with the repair management capabilities in Norgate’s ABW Tracker body shop system. Collision shops can now use a single, automated and streamlined OE crash parts ordering and receiving process with the added confidence of securing the right part the first time from their auto dealership suppliers.
“Shops invest a lot of money in technology, and they depend on systems to run their businesses profitably,” said Mark Tomasetti, vice president and general manager of Collision Solutions for OEConnection. “By integrating our two products, we’ve streamlined the parts management process for shops to improve vehicle repair cycles, reduce return, and help shops and dealerships work better together.”
Gus Dimakis, president of Norgate Technologies, said, “Our relationship with OEConnection creates an easier, more accurate and faster-than-ever parts ordering and receiving workflow for our mutual customers. This integration adds great business value and generates huge advancements for collision shop processes, all the while keeping the best interest of shops in mind.”
OEConnection says that CollisionLink integration dramatically transforms the crash parts ordering experience by eliminating the need for non-productive phone time, relieving a shop’s reliance on incomplete or outdated parts information and reducing duplicate keystrokes when managing orders. Using VIN scrubbing technology, CollisionLink automatically verifies the accuracy of a parts order and alerts users to incorrect and/or related parts. Delivering a more accurate part order helps shops reduce parts returns and supplemental parts orders, improve cycle time and CSI, and enhance overall supplier relationships and order response time.
Mike LeVasseur, vice president and COO of Keenan Auto Body in Philadelphia, Pa., has mandated that all eight Keenan locations begin using CollisionLink online parts ordering in their ABW Tracker shop system immediately.
“CollisionLink online parts ordering is now part of our lean processing strategy,” LeVasseur said. “It’s fast, easy, there’s less paper, and with VIN checking, parts orders are more accurate resulting in reduced parts returns. I estimate that this technology will shave an average of 10 minutes off each order. Our shops repair over 250 vehicles each week, so that savings equates to eliminating over 42 hours a week in wasted labor.”
Norgate is providing the CollisionLink integration as a value-added enhancement for ABW Tracker users. Integration development concluded in late September 2008, beta collision shops tested the new integration in October and the technology is available for wide release now.
For more information on OEConnection, visit www.oeconnection.com. For more information on Norgate, visit www.abwtracker.com.
