Mitchell International Releases Internet Ready, Multi-Shop ABS Body Shop Management System
8 December 2000
Mitchell International Releases Internet Ready, Multi-Shop ABS Body Shop Management System
SAN DIEGO--Dec. 8, 2000--New Functionality Allows Multiple Shop Management and Reporting, With
Data Communication via the Internet; ABS Leads Industry with 70
Percent Market Share
Mitchell International today announced Version 7.0 of its ABS Body Shop Management System, the collision repair industry's leading Windows-based solution for increasing efficiency and profitability by automating many shop management functions.
ABS Version 7.0 adds new features that can help collision repair shops become more productive, profitable enterprises. Earlier versions of ABS captured 70 percent of the market share.
"ABS Version 7.0 comes complete with a proven track record, a new technological architecture, and communicates openly with CIECA standard EMS estimate files and Internet standard XML data export," said Jim Lindner, Mitchell's president and chief executive officer. "This new version will keep shops efficient today, while preparing them for the online future."
ABS Version 7.0's step-saving XML Export feature allows for the instant transfer of data via the Internet. With this feature, individual shops or chains of multiple shops can send management reports and other data to a central location for analysis by shop owners. There are added options for viewing data with more detailed breakouts of personnel, job functions and locations -- a total of more than 100 available reports. And the entire system, with its new 32-bit platform, will be ready to quickly accommodate future versions.
With ABS Version 7.0, shops will be able to:
| -- | Import any CIECA compliant estimate. |
| -- | Export reports to the Internet to more easily and effectively manage multiple shop locations. |
| -- | Save time -- as much as 30 minutes per repair order -- by offering complete supplement support for all P-Page estimating systems. |
| -- | Simplify parts management with ABS' ordering, receiving and costing processes. |
| -- | Increase sales performance by tracking estimating activities. |
| -- | Maximize employee efficiency and productivity by assigning employees to jobs that capitalize on their skills and provide useful reports to detail their performance. |
| -- | Manage job costs by providing reports that highlight profits and losses generated at every step in the repair process. |
| -- | Wisely spend marketing dollars by tracking those efforts that generate sales. |
ABS Version 7.0 also has several powerful productivity tools that can be added to the system to further increase a shop's efficiency and productivity. APS(TM) (Advanced Production System) boosts production capacity by allocating technicians more effectively and tracking vehicle status through the ABS database. And because it is wireless, status changes can be entered directly by professionals from the shop floor.
TecStation(TM) II tracks labor costs and provides the information to ABS. TecStation replaces time card machines or labor control cards by using an electronic touch screen time clock for tracking technicians' labor as they log in and out of jobs. The information allows the shop manager to track employee efficiency in real time.
CPM (Customer Payment Manager) allows for the direct recording of all payment transactions into ABS without having to close out Shop Manager or open an external accounting program. CPM will record payments, write-offs, debits, refund checks and deposits that are received for every repair order in the shop. With its powerful tracking feature, CPM allows shops to reduce payment errors.
Open Books is designed to allow shops to send financial data from ABS to Lawson or MAS90 account systems. This eliminates manual data entry for shops using those systems. And ABS will interface with BusinessWorks(TM) accounting software to provide complete general ledger support, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll service.
"This new version of ABS includes the tools needed to bring multiple shop locations into one efficient management process," said Lindner. "ABS Version 7.0 offers an unmatched opportunity to improve any shop's profitability."
About Mitchell International
Mitchell International, founded in 1946 and headquartered in San Diego, is The Source for information software and e-business solutions for the insurance and automotive repair industries. Providing services that enhance productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction, Mitchell facilitates several million electronic transactions between more than 16,000 business partners each month. Mitchell's own parts and labor database, a critical connectivity point between shops and insurers, is trusted for its accuracy and respected as the industry standard. For more information on Mitchell International or ABS, Version 7.0, call Chris Andrews, director of marketing, at 858/578-6550, ext. 8321. Visit our Web sites at www.emitchell.com and www.mitchell.com