ATC's autoWEBtech Productivity Portal(TM) Featured by Lang Marketing Research, Inc.
6 December 2000
ATC's autoWEBtech Productivity Portal(TM) Featured by Lang Marketing Research, Inc.
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VANCOUVER, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ - Lang Marketing Resources, Inc., a
leading source of information and analysis on the vehicle products industry to
national news media in the U.S., has published an article highlighting the
benefits of ATC Technologies' autoWEBtech Productivity Portal(TM) in their
December 1, 2000 issue of eAftermarket(TM). According to Lang Marketing, the
portal "...can have a profound effect on the efficiency, vitality, and sales
volume of the (automotive repair) aftermarket."
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This material appeared in the December 1, 2000 issue of eAftermarket(TM).
Copyright (C) 2000 Lang Marketing Resources, Inc. (201) 652-5220,
http://www.langmarketing.com. Further use is prohibited without written permission of
Lang Marketing Resources, Inc.
autoWEBtech Will Mentor Mechanics In The Service Bay
ATC Technologies is developing autoWEBtech, a Productivity Portal(TM)
capable of delivering services direct to the automotive technician in the
repair bay. The total package will bring together, in the service bay, all the
necessary information and communications to quickly and effectively diagnose
problems, acquire parts, conduct the repair, and invoice the job.
AutoWEBtech represents an alternative interactive delivery channel to the
aftermarket for well-established and branded technical providers and
information from suppliers delivered on a just-in-time (JIT) basis.
"When fully functional, autoWEBtech will provide technical assistance far
beyond what has been available to date. AutoWEBtech is promising nothing short
of an evolutionary change in the mechanics' work environment," stated Dale
Bishop, ATC President.
In this "mentored learning environment" the mechanic will be guided
through the necessary steps by specific commands and questions supplemented by
text explanations, diagrams, and possible short video clips presented to the
mechanic at the appropriate time and in context with the current repair
procedure.
Once in place, autoWEBtech will provide optional services such as a
customized web site for service outlets, business intelligence, training, as
well as a wide range of other services and benefits.
The autoWEBtech system will consist of a high-speed DSL connection, a
printer, digital modem, and PC-based tablets (which mechanics will use in the
service bays) configured with wireless connectivity, voice interface, and
color display. The high-speed connection equipment will be supplied free of
charge to the garage in exchange for a minimum monthly billing usage.
The pay-for-use content-based services will range from real-time engine
analysis and diagnosis to technical information, repair-specific directions,
repair verification, and service desk functions including work order
management, parts procurement, invoicing, and customer relations' management.
AutoWEBtech's increased productivity stems from two factors: the real-
time interactivity of the system regarding the specific repair situation along
with the delivery of this information to the service bay without the
technician disengaging from the job. In addition, solutions offered by this
system incorporate the use of the specific tools, by type and brand, which are
owned by the mechanic.
What ATC (through its autoWEBtech services) is proposing is the type of
increased efficiency and productivity that will be necessary to offset the
growing service bay crisis. Lang Marketing estimates there were 163 cars and
light trucks in the U.S. for every service bay in 1999, up from 131 vehicles
per bay ten years earlier.
Within five years, Lang Marketing estimates the average number of
vehicles per service bay in the U.S. will top 174. E-Commerce (of the type
represented by AutoWEBtech's efforts and those of other companies) can
increase service bay efficiency and provide a kind of "service bay
multiplier", helping to offset the growing number of vehicles per service bay
in the U.S. Greater service bay efficiency through more effective parts
procurement, more timely and expansive maintenance information as well as
improved service outlet scheduling techniques can help reduce the amount of
unperformed maintenance among cars and light trucks in the U.S., increasing
vehicle safety and aftermarket sales.
Widespread use of this type of technology in service bays nationwide (and
the integration of this technology with telematics) can have a profound effect
on the efficiency, vitality, and sales volume of the aftermarket.
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About Lang Marketing Resources and eAftermarket(TM)
Founded in 1980, Lang Marketing Resources, Inc. is an independent
consulting and marketing analysis company specializing in the vehicle products
industry. Recognized as a leading source of industry information and analysis,
Lang Marketing Resources, Inc. has provided information to a wide range of
national news media including CBS Television, Newsweek, USA Today, and The
Wall Street Journal.
eAftermarket(TM) is a new future-looking publication from Lang Marketing.
Published biweekly on the 1st and 15th of each month, this new report is
packed with analysis of the E-commerce aftermarket revolution. It analyzes the
impact and trends of E-Commerce and how it will reshape the aftermarket of the
21st century.
While each issue contains late-breaking E-Commerce news, the focus is on
interpreting the impact of what is happening, strategies that are developing
among key aftermarket players, and how the aftermarket will be changed.
The Canadian Venture Exchange has not reviewed this release and accepts
no responsibility for its adequacy or accuracy.