The Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) announced that it has processed more than 4,000 inquiries since the initiative was launched in 2007.
"This is a great milestone for the DEG and all our industry participants who have supported and contributed to the success of this program," says DEG Administrator Arthur Harris.
With support and funding from the Automotive Service Association (ASA), Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) and Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), the DEG says it has demonstrated that proactive feedback to the information providers can help improve the quality of information within the estimating system databases.
"While 4000 inquiries is a large number, and each year we increase the amount of inquiries processed, the DEG realizes that there is still significant room for growth in participation. With the amount of shops currently operating in North America, the DEG is focusing on mechanisms to further raise awareness of the benefits the DEG has fostered for its end-users," says Harris.
With continual changes in the industry, the DEG says it strives to keep end-users up-to-date with pertinent information both through its extensive list of database inquiries listed on the DEG website, www.degweb.org.
Issues addressed by the free resource have varied greatly over the last 4,000 inquiries, and range from topics such as missing parts and notes or labor to times that may not adequately reflect the necessary steps to perform an operation. In some cases, the end-user is simply looking to verify information within the system or even the procedural notes.
Recently, the DEG helped a repair facility that was concerned because an adjuster was declining to pay for color sand and buff, stating the operation was included in the 2-stage refinish. The adjuster provided a document that listed the color sand and buff operation as an included item. The DEG contacted Audatex and provided them with a copy of the document provided to the shop, and Audatex responded that the document was not a legitimate document from their company, despite listing the Audatex name within the document. (see inquiry 3959)
Looking forward to 2012, the DEG says it is excited to further its accomplishments and to help the industry by continuing to provide an outlet for estimating system users to address any questions, errors, inaccuracies or omissions they find in their estimating systems.
More information:
DEG
