Mitchell International Announces FirstEstimate.com, The First Internet-based Estimating System
17 July 2000
FirstEstimate.com Part of Larger Mitchell Internet e-business StrategySAN DIEGO - Mitchell International today announced that FirstEstimate.com, the first Internet-based estimating system for the automotive collision repair industry, has entered on-line beta testing with various repair shops. FirstEstimate.com is part of Mitchell's wider e-business strategy to create new partnering opportunities and shared efficiencies throughout the industry. "Our goal is to offer the entire industry lowered cost structures, more efficient claims management and supply chain processes, and improved collision repair quality," said Jim Lindner, Mitchell's President and Chief Executive officer. "FirstEstimate.com is a significant step toward this goal." Mitchell was the first to publish collision repair data, first with a Windows-based estimating system, and now is first to offer both total loss (iNTOTAL.com) and partial loss (FirstEstimate.com) products on the Internet. "We welcome shop operators wanting to create accurate, more professional estimates to participate in the beta test by connecting to http://www.FirstEstimate.com," Lindner said. In order to acquaint shops with the service, Mitchell is offering free estimating to shops in the United States during this introductory period. New users will be required to register before using First Estimate. "FirstEstimate.com leverages our industry standard data, our proven expertise in estimating systems, and new state-of-the-art Internet technology to bring the means of creating accurate, more professional estimates within the reach of all market segments," Lindner said. All a shop needs to begin estimating is Internet access and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 to go to the FirstEstimate.com site. Shops that have not previously benefited from automated access to Mitchell data and use of Mitchell P-page logic can now present more professional estimates to their customers, and establish smoother business relationships with insurers. Sean Heimdal, of Body Kraft, San Diego, Calif., was among the first of the shop owners to use FirstEstimate.com. "FirstEstimate.com is a great idea for smaller shops. It gives me all the benefits automated estimating systems have given larger shops for years," he said. "It was simple and took only a few minutes to complete a professional estimate ready to save, print, fax and/or e-mail." About Mitchell International Mitchell International, The Source of information software and e-business solutions for the insurance and automotive repair industries, provides services that enhance productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction. Headquartered in San Diego, Mitchell also has offices in Milwaukee and Toronto.